We often “lead with our noses” when entering a new space. Whether you know it or not, your perception of a space is directly influenced by what your nose smells as you enter. When you smell something bad, your mind instantly associates the space with negative feelings of disgust.
Conversely, if you get a sense of the space being fresh and clean, it is probably because your nose has already done the detective work to assess the space.
One of the foundations of scent marketing is the knowledge that the sense of smell is finely tuned to what it considers clean and hygienic and the feelings that these types of aromas generate.
The Olfactory Link to Cleanliness
Our brains have a way of associating specific smells with the concept of cleanliness. Studies have shown that people exposed to clean citrus or floral scents will mentally connect their space, be it office, car, retail or home, to a sense of cleanliness and purity. This is known as an “olfactory effect”.
In addition, when the brain “smells” clean, it automatically instils confidence. If a space is clean, someone took the time and effort to make it so, and this attention to detail is pleasing. Remember also that these responses are subconscious and influence you without you realising it.
So, in the context of scent marketing, customers are more likely to trust your business or service if the associated smell is clean and fresh.
How to Apply the Psychology of Clean Spaces
This concept can be applied across many industries, for example:
- Retail: A crisp, clean scent in a retail store can create feelings of trust that this is a well-maintained business, and customers can be confident about the products or services they can buy here.
- Hospitality: In hotels, B&Bs and other shared accommodations, cleanliness is one of the key markers of excellence. A fresh scent will help reinforce the sense of good hygiene and safety.
- Offices and other shared workspaces: A clean scent will lead to constructive attitudes towards the space and sharing the space with others. This has positive spin-offs for collaboration and overall well-being.
To find out how your business can tap into this well-researched phenomenon, contact Scent.ology today. Our expert scent marketing team is standing by to uncover your needs and develop the perfect scent for your setting.
