Classroom fragrance

[MrsPete]

Keep in mind, folks, that in middle school and high school, a classroom's natural scent is often Eau de Freshman Boys' Gymbag. Subtitle: Feet.

Vanilla sounds pretty good in comparison.

Seriously, don't make any decisions based upon potential allergies or sensitivities. Instead, include that question on your first day of school information sheet. Though it's an often-discussed topic, a few of my kids write that they're allergic to bee stings or medications. I can't recall ever having a student write that he or she is sensitive to smells of any type.

 

[clh2]

Just a note: these can trigger allergies just a well as other fragrances. Both DD and I are allergic to lavender oil and all other flower based essential oils. We break out in hives anywhere it touches us and have respiratory symptoms and headaches when they are aerosolized. Just because something is natural, that doesn't mean it is necessarily safe for everyone.

Ewww. I used to work in close proximity to someone that used EO brand of a lavendar hand sanitizer. I literally could not breathe some days. Funny-this co-worker was of the opinion that her stuff was OK to use because it was all natural. Well-so is the smell of a skunk, but if wouldn't want that close by either. So glad I no longer work there.

 

[Colleen27]

As others have suggested, mild essential oils diluted as a room spray are good - not usually overpowering enough to cause problems for those with sensitivities, but enough to keep the room fresh and nice smelling. IME herbal (rather than floral) oils are more allergy friendly. Lemon balm or rosemary or such, rather than lavender or vanilla or rose.

I believe it is possible to be sensitive to those with allergies and special circumstances without going straight to a total ban on everything, and if your classroom is anything like those at DS's school a gentle scent could only be an improvement.

 

[disykat]

Keep in mind, folks, that in middle school and high school, a classroom's natural scent is often Eau de Freshman Boys' Gymbag. Subtitle: Feet.

Vanilla sounds pretty good in comparison.

Seriously, don't make any decisions based upon potential allergies or sensitivities. Instead, include that question on your first day of school information sheet. Though it's an often-discussed topic, a few of my kids write that they're allergic to bee stings or medications. I can't recall ever having a student write that he or she is sensitive to smells of any type.

It probably doesn't occur to them to do so. In general, most people don't use classroom fragrances and it might not be an issue they've encountered before.

 

[tarheel618]

You could cause a child to have an asthma attack. In our county, it is district policy that no type of air freshner is allowed to be used in any classroom or bathrooms- this includes faculty only rooms as well.

 

[StitchFanZ]

Any sort of scent giving item can cause problems for me. I use them at home but I know which ones don't make me sick. Of course the ones that don't bother me could bother someone else. What about discretely placing one of those fridge baking soda boxes somewhere to help absorb the stale smell.

Or get one of those big Costco size bags of baking soda and leave it open at night or over the weekend.

 

[minkydog]

How about a potpourri or reed diffuser? Same issues?

Nonononono...these things can set off asthma just as much as any aerosol, candle, perfume or essential oil. My BIL is highly allergic to potpourri. When DSis gets that stuff from her students at Christmas (there's always at least one) that stuff goes right in the trash after school. She has to wash her hands before she goes home, too, or he'll have an asthma attack for sure.

 

[tarheel618]

What about using a small air purifier? There is one on walmart.com for $126.00

 

[monsterkitty]

Please, as a fellow teacher, do not use anything in your classroom that is scented. Not only can it cause problems for the students in your room, but the smell will go into surrounding classrooms. One of our teachers used a few Yankee Candle plugins in her room - at least 10 rooms down the hall from mine. However the smell does travel and cause problems for me and other teachers, as well as students.

We are not allowed to have anything in our rooms that will give off any scent because of allergies. The fire marshal also will not allow anything that is plugged in. My building is over 60 years old and smells like it, but we live with it.

 

[disykat]

A poster above mentioned buying an air purifier. They have them for a lot cheaper than $126. The fans and purifiers I've been looking at have all been under 50 bucks and some of those have HEPA filters and good reviews. I'm just trying to decide whether I prefer odor removal or air movement.

 

[RitaZ.]

I'd stay away from anything that's scented.

How about those baking soda fridge packs? I'd buy a few boxes and place them in areas around the classroom (out of the students' reach, of course). They should help in reducing odors.

 

[elphaba91]

I'd stay away from anything that's scented. How about those baking soda fridge packs? I'd buy a few boxes and place them in areas around the classroom (out of the students' reach, of course). They should help in reducing odors.

Even better: hollow out some lemon halves and put the baking soda in them. Other than that, maybe just make an effort to get there a few minutes early each day to air the room out: open the windows and maybe blow some fans around.

 

[scrapquitler]

A couple of open bowls with white vinegar in them will also help eliminate unpleasant odors. Leaving them in the room at the end of the day and getting rid of them in the morning before students arrive would be my approach.

 

[WHIT1]

I am so glad there are parents and other people out there who are like me with the perfume scents. I am a chemical induced asthmatic and my triggers are perfumes, hand lotions and bleach. This is not a fun life to live when you have people around you who love to bathe in their perfume and don't care that it may hurt other people. I have been in a fight with the hospital that allow their employees to wear perfume and using bleach wrong, thus causing me to have an asthma attack. I have tried to get them to understand this is a hospital ,not a perfume store and when I come in its because I'm sick. The safe thing for you to do is get a small air purifier it will get any kind of smell out of your stale smelly room. I have one in all my rooms they work. This way you will not offend or cause harm to no one.

 

[mjantz]

For those suggesting opening the windows, many schools have windows that do not open. Mine don't at all. I have an oil diffuser & I'm going to try it, checking with my co-workers to make sure the smell isn't traveling a long way or overpowering. Probably citrus or peppermint mostly.

 

[Earstou]

For those suggesting opening the windows, many schools have windows that do not open. Mine don't at all. I have an oil diffuser & I'm going to try it, checking with my co-workers to make sure the smell isn't traveling a long way or overpowering. Probably citrus or peppermint mostly.

That's a horrible idea for asthmatics !
Diffusing oil into the air they breathe is downright dangerous.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

That's a horrible idea for asthmatics !
Diffusing oil into the air they breathe is downright dangerous.

EXACTLY !!

All the suggestions for the air purifier, baking soda and vinegar are probably the best.

Even though the school may have shut down windows, they have a ventilation system. I have been in the junior/high schools after physical education and unless one person is extremely malodorous, the vents will work if the door to the hallway is open a bit. Some schools have a shut down completely system and their systems try to work better. It's not easy to keep it going at optimum speed, temperature and cost effectiveness. They just need the natural purifiers and some time.

As for asking coworkers--it's not about them--this is the SAFETY of the STUDENTS. Believe me, I am not a sue-happy parent nor do I threaten, but if my children had been in any kind of danger of severe asthma, I would have held the teacher personally responsible. There is some liability on the school, but if the teacher does something without clearing it with the school administrator and the school board...That's where the buck stops. The teacher's responsibility to keep the child safe while in the care of the classroom.

 

[tyniknate]

Don't do it. I would be the first person complaining.

My dd gets migraines from "scents".

My son does also. I can't tell you how many times he came home from school and went to bed because the classroom "smelled bad". I found out she had a plug-in and when that went away, so did his headaches.

Please, please don't do it.

 

[tina.tina]

Someone used coconut scented hand sanitizer in the same vehicle as my 13 yo brother and it triggered an asthma attack.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I would check with your school administration before doing anything. If be willing to bet they frown upon room fragrances, if it isn't totally banned. In order for something to be strong enough for you to smell, that means at least part of your students will smell it as well. All you need is for one student to have a problem before you will have parents making your life miserable.