Hygiene Services: 0330 441 0985
Zero Waste to Landfill
Local Depots
Free Site Surveys
Fully Accredited

The Psychology of Scent

Certain scents can trigger specific emotional responses or influence behaviours, meaning that choosing the right products and air fresheners can make a real difference for both your staff and your space.

At TWC Group, we are experts on all things cleanliness– so we were fascinated to read this article on the psychology of scent. Certain scents can trigger specific emotional responses or influence behaviours, meaning that choosing the right products and air fresheners can make a real difference for both your staff and your space.

Citrus and Cleanliness: A Concept

One study in the American Psychologist journal noted that participants who could smell a citrus-based cleaner were better at identifying cleaning-related words in a task. They were also more likely to list cleaning-related activities when asked to describe their daily routine. Amazingly, smelling lemons or limes can make us more aware of the cleanliness around us, and encourage engagement in hygienic behaviours.

Multiple Purposes: Maintaining Cleanliness

Another study noted that participants in an eating task were more likely to be careful and clean when they were exposed to the scent of a multipurpose cleaner. In practical terms, they automatically cleaned cookie crumbs off the desks in front of them when they could smell the cleaning agent. A clean environment encourages us to maintain the standards of cleanliness, especially in relation to our sense of smell.

How Can We Use This?

This psychology can be used in the workplace to your advantage – and TWC can help! Choosing a citrus-based cleaner or air freshener for your washrooms and common areas can help to subconsciously assure your staff that you are maintaining high standards of hygiene, and also encourage them to engage in tidying and conscientious behaviours. We supply janitorial supplies, auto sanitisers, and air fresheners that you can customise to your preferred scents.

To discuss outsourcing your cleaning supplies, please contact us.

< BACK TO NEWS