Anonymous wrote:1. You probably don't notice it, but your animals have an odor, especially to someone who isn't used to pets
2. She may have an odor that she is concerned about and trying to mask with air freshener. Her intention may not be to insult you.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the room deodorizers. If she plugged it in to an outlet in her guest bedroom, so what? If she plugged it in to an outlet in the main area of your home that was kind of rude.

Agreed. I wouldn't assume that your house smells like pets and MIL must cover it up with air fresheners; if she has them all over her own house, that's obviously just her preference. So why take it as a personal insult? The logical explanation is that she brought it to make the guest room feel more home-like and comfortable for herself.

+1
I don't see what the issue is.

Anonymous wrote:I like the room deodorizers. If she plugged it in to an outlet in her guest bedroom, so what? If she plugged it in to an outlet in the main area of your home that was kind of rude.

Agreed. I wouldn't assume that your house smells like pets and MIL must cover it up with air fresheners; if she has them all over her own house, that's obviously just her preference. So why take it as a personal insult? The logical explanation is that she brought it to make the guest room feel more home-like and comfortable for herself.

Your house probably smells like pets. For people like me, who don't have animals, it's gross.

My ILs were insulted when they found out I wear earplugs to sleep at their place. They have a grandfather clock in the hall that chimes every 15 minutes -- it drives me nuts. They don't hear it at all, and the one time I asked if it could be silenced they looked at me like I asked them to shoot their cat. Yet my earplugs were an affront.

OP, you MIL may simply want to feel comfortable in your house. It's 2 days, it's nontoxic, and she's your guest. Be kind.

I like the room deodorizers. If she plugged it in to an outlet in her guest bedroom, so what? If she plugged it in to an outlet in the main area of your home that was kind of rude.

Ugh. Those scent things make me gag.

That said, if you have 2 pets, your house very likely smells, so it's not unreasonable for her to use the scents to help mitigate the odor.

My inlaws have 2 dogs, 2 cats and a small house. I grew up without pets and im always really overwhelmed by the smell when we visit my inlaws. I once nearly threw up when one of the dogs came up right to my face while I was sitting. He clearly hadn't been washed in a while and his coat smelled rancid. I managed to keep it in but I had to get up really fast and outside for air. We always stay in a hotel when we visit so it's not too bad. I've obviously never said anything about the smell to anyone, including DH. That said, bringing a plug in air freshener does seem kinda nutty. OP - if I were you, I'd provide a nice smelling candle in your MIL's guest room.

1. You probably don't notice it, but your animals have an odor, especially to someone who isn't used to pets
2. She may have an odor that she is concerned about and trying to mask with air freshener. Her intention may not be to insult you.

To those of you who said that you'd rather smell a plug in than animals: would you do that if you were a guest? When you go visit friends and family who have animals, would you bring your own obnoxious scent and risk insulting your children/friends/hosts? Really?

dogs smell

I hate those things and I'd rather smell one of those than cat + dog.

I'm sure your house smells worse than you think it does. Two pets? Possible litter box? You don't notice it because it's your house, but having never stepped foot in it I can tell you - it smells.

Ugh, I can't stand those things. I even prefer my musty old house smell. However, I *think* I could stand it for 2 days.
Or maybe I would offer to burn one of my expensive, deliciously scented Nest candles.

Have been smelling a sickly sweet smell all day, and just realized that she brought a room deodorizer with her for her visit (her house is heavily scented -- that's her preference). Sort of insulted but also find it kind of hilarious. We have a cat and a dog, but... really? Can't go with out the fake fruit smell for a couple of days?