keeping items smelling nice

[dearsweetdarlings]

Hey there!

I was just wondering what methods fellow Etsians use to keep their products smelling nice during shipping.

All my stuff if from a smoke free-house, but it was mentioned to me, and I noticed the same when I order sometimes, that the products smell smoky. So I'm a bit paranoid now! I'm thinking of some sort of sachet to send with my items.

Tips and tricks are quite welcome!

[Former_Member]

Hmmm, my items are mostly metal and glass, so this isn't much of a problem for me. Maybe you could store your items in a airtight bin (like a large Rubbermaid storage tub) along with a few sheets of fabric softener.

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure why your items smell smoky - maybe something during shipping? Since you haven't been blowing cigarettes at your items during the entire process, I wonder if that smell dissipates quickly. Many people are sensitive to smells, and trying to cover up that smell might make things worse. How is the air circulation in the room where you make or store your pieces? I recently put one of those window fans (with the two fans that can turn in opposite directions) on a folding chair in the the doorway of the room where I finish my coasters. I've noticed they don't smell as chemically as they used to, and this was a very easy fix.

Good luck!

[SerenityInChains]

The only problem that you are going to run up against with adding a scent to your stuff in transit is that people have so many allergies, that you open yourself to a potential risk with a customer having a reaction.

However, to avoid picking up that 'transit funk' on your dolls I would try packing them in an Ziplock bag, and then in your normal packaging. You can mention it in your descriptions that you do this to avoid the item picking up odors in transit.

[Former_Member]

I agree that sending sachets or anything like that could trigger certain allergies and is more of a risk than would do good.

My diaper cakes would absorb any smell near them so I have a studio that I don't allow anything with a "smell" near. When I'm ready to ship I wrap them in a cello bag tied shut with a ribbon. It prevents any smells or oders than could be caused during transit! Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Do you ship them in bubbled envelopes or maybe you can get the waterproof bubble envelopes. They may be able to keep any smell out.

I would say that the sachets may spark up allergies. For some customers that may love it but others may not.

[dearsweetdarlings]

thanks guys! You've been really helpful.
I'll be sure to invest in some ziplock baggies rather than sachets. Really didn't think about allergies!

[themuseinme]

One of my first orders I put a sheet of fabric softener in with the purchase and my customer nicely told me she didn't mind but that many customers would, so I've never done that again.
I like the idea of sachets and personally would love if I got one in with my purchases , but so many people are allergic to stuff that unless it was all natural it wouldn't work and even then, you' d have to have several choices of scents for folks.

[theanimalsmagicshop]

Hi,

This post caught my eye and I'm kind of horrified to think that some people are sensitive enough to pick up scents that are acquired through the postal system where smoking isn't even permitted. How smoke could permeate an envelope into a product in that situation is beyond believable unless there was a fire.

We smoke and have pets and state so in all our listings in all 3 shops in case that might bother someone, and selling vintage means the prior owner may have smoked too. I'm not allergic to smoke, but sachets kill me and my husband, so allergies to those are also defintely a consideration. It's a bit ironic, isn't it...~ lol ~

[Chymiera]

I send a small sachet of lavender with every single order- even with small items like a $5 pair of earrings.
We do live in a pet & smoke free home, but we heat with wood, so im paranoid about someone smelling our wood stove. I have actually though, had people comment about them picking up the scent of our wood stove, & they liked it.
But the lavender buds and sachets cost me about 40 cents to make myself & customers love that extra special touch!
p.s. I buy my supplies for the sachets from Jens enchanted garden right here on etsy! she is fabulous! Her rose potpourri is also to die for!!

[ToppyToppyKnits]

All my items are knit and crochet, so I have them in big plastic bags with some jazmine or lavender soap on its normal package and the bags are in big plastic cans

[Former_Member]

I store all fabric items in airtight plastic bins and ship in poly mailers. I haven't had any complaints of smells. If the items that get shipped to you smell smoky, I would wonder if your carrier smokes. If so, dropping items off at the post office (rather than having a carrier pick them up), might help? Definitely avoid sending or storing with perfumed stuff. I avoid even dryer sheets and I never wash fabric first because some people are sensitive to certain soaps and chemicals.

If you're really concerned, send a "test package" to a friend, relative or etsy buddy! I'd gladly volunteer :)

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Oh, FYI: pets- yes, cigarettes- no, outdoor wood stove- yes

[MerceryMerceryMe]

This thread might be interesting for those of you who think a truck driver or postal worker smoking in the truck can't affect packages, and for those of you who add scented stuff to your packages. Some good points, and things to think about.

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/9488127/page/1

[Former_Member]

I wash all my fabric before sending it in a nice smelling laundry soap so that they smell clean and fresh when customers receive them but other than that I haven't tried anything.

[Former_Member]

btw your dolls are just darling

[AnneLondezGlass]

I am one of those people allergic to most perfumes so I'd much rather the items and packages were not accompanied by anything that has perfume on it, even laundry soap.
On the other hand, your packaging material may have an influence. Some plastic bags smell really bad and the smell will transfer to whatever is inside.

[MountainGoth]

I store Lavender satchets in with my inventory. Keeps in nice.

[poisonpear]

I would be completely put off if my order had lavender sachets in it - I actually can't stand the smell of it! I am sensitive to a lot of scents, so I vote wrapping in plastic.

[Former_Member]

I'm always paranoid about this because I live in a really really really old house. Really old. We also live right in the area of wetlands, so I feel like my hand-crocheted stuff has the potential to smell like old house. I'm always making my friends smell my product when they come over, since obviously I can't smell it anymore. So far, so good. But it is always on my mind.

[Former_Member]

I am allergic to lots of scents - lavender would be a real put off for me too. There are issues about plant products entering some countries - Australia is one - so you could even be breaking the law.

[ColoursandTextures]

Sometimes I add some dried lavender flowers tucking the stems under the ribbon securing the parcel. This then does into a bubble mailer.

[ColoursandTextures]

mm perhaps I should leave out the lavender.

[Former_Member]

I think that some people really LOVE the extras in packaging and others HATE it. I have a "no frills" policy for packaging. However, those of you who like to put nice things in there, maybe state it in the item description and/or shop policies? That way people can request for or against it.

[Former_Member]

I had this idea after I posted last night. I make my own room spray, which is 1.5 cups filtered water, 1/2 cup vodka, and 1 tsp essential oil. Before you freak out, the vodka helps keeps the water from being "too wet" and soaking fabric. I use lavender oil at home, because I love the smell. I don't notice much of the smell, but I'm sure it would be a different story if it was another type of oil. I wonder how using just vodka and water would work, for neutralizing odors? Of course, you don't want to send dolls to children smelling like a distillery....