# My Whole House Smells Like Irish Springs Now. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148 "2008-04-06T03:22:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/1 "2008-04-06T03:22:35Z")
A couple of days ago my father and I bought some Irish Springs deodorant soap at a local dollar store. Almost immediately the Irish Springs smell overtook our bathroom. To tell you the truth, I didn’t mind. My father and I don’t do as much cleaning as my mother did when she died about 10 years ago. So actually, the new smell seemed like a bonus to me. The only thing is, I have just noticed, the smell of Irish Springs is taking over our entire house now! I have nothing against Irish Springs. Wonderful reputable company I am sure. But I recently heard this story in the news of counterfeit toothpaste being sold in dollar stores. These obvious fakes are in fact dangerous. And as I have said many times on these boards, my father waited to have me late in life. So now he is an elderly gentleman. So I worry about him alot. He is in fact all I have left in this world. So do any of you think I have anything to worry about safetywise with this unusual soap? Thank you in advance to all who reply 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/2 "2008-04-06T03:36:57Z")
Hm. My understanding (and dim memory) is that Irish Spring soap is very strongly scented. So much so, that it’s been touted as a deer repellent for gardeners. (Hang bars amid your garden plants, not having the gardener shower with it.) I’ve not heard anything about bogus soap; that’s not to say it’s not out there. I would probably go ahead and shower or bathe with it. ---
**Author:** ![NightRabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbce88/32.png) [@NightRabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NightRabbit)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/3 "2008-04-06T04:51:50Z")
I don’t think of Irish Spring as a particularly pricey brand that would seem unusual in a dollar store. In fact, I remember seeing Irish Spring commercials on TV a few years ago, and I haven’t seen them in a while. SO maybe they’ve declined in profitability? Either way, I don’t think you have to worry. I shop at the dollar store all the time, buying things like soap and shampoo, and I’ve never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/4 "2008-04-06T05:28:54Z")
[QUOTE=Jim B.] So do any of you think I have anything to worry about safetywise with this unusual soap? [/QUOTE] Don’t use it to brush your teeth with. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/5 "2008-04-06T13:49:06Z")
If it does say Irish Springs and not Irish Spring, it probably is a counterfeit. Have either of you started speaking in a bogus brogue? ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/6 "2008-04-06T19:29:45Z")
I had totally forgotten about Irish Spring soap… There was a time, way back when, that all soaps and shampoos seemed to be trying to create the strongest scent possible - Herbal Essence was also a big hit in the day. I vividly recall hating to go to my early morning classes in college and sit anywhere near the jocks - they all seemed to lather that crap on them by the bucket full during their morning showers. I still remember having to sit next to some huge football player and thought I was going to gag to death before the class finished. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/7 "2008-04-06T20:02:15Z")
A long time ago (probably 30 years ago) I used Irish Spring once. Later that night I woke up painfully itchy all over. I appeared to have an allergic reaction to the soap. It took me about two days and some antihistamines to recover. I have never used it again. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/8 "2008-04-06T21:00:28Z")
I know this isn’t what you asked for, but something about this reminds me of that list of “next to useless” products. An example or two: Solar-powered flashlight Battery-operated battery charger Underarm-scented deodorant However, in response to the OP’s major issue, I’d second what **twickster** had to say. Other than that, not a clue. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/9 "2008-04-06T23:36:28Z")
It’s a very strongly scented soap. Eventually my linen closet stopped smelling like Irish Spring but it sure did take weeks! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/10 "2008-04-06T23:43:15Z")
[QUOTE=kayT] It’s a very strongly scented soap. [/QUOTE] Aye, a mite _too_ strong! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/11 "2008-04-06T23:47:40Z")
I do like the Icy Blast Irish Spring. Am I alone in this? Should I worry? I also like the original scent Irish Spring. Don’t judge me! ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/12 "2008-04-07T00:18:34Z")
[QUOTE=ethelbert] A long time ago (probably 30 years ago) I used Irish Spring once. Later that night I woke up painfully itchy all over. I appeared to have an allergic reaction to the soap. It took me about two days and some antihistamines to recover. I have never used it again. [/QUOTE] I get the same thing with Zest. ---
**Author:** ![NajaSong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@NajaSong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaSong)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/13 "2008-04-07T02:46:12Z")
[QUOTE=swampbear] I do like the Icy Blast Irish Spring. Am I alone in this? Should I worry? I also like the original scent Irish Spring. Don’t judge me! [/QUOTE] I am another Irish Spring fan; I love the original, I love the blue, I love the light green (which I’m currently using, although not right this second)! I love that smell that permeates all my linens. Fooey, I say to ye haters! I’m also a chick who hates those foo-foo body washes. On the occasion I’ve had to use one of those, I feel like I have a film all over my body & end up super itchy. The only soaps I feel clean after using are Irish Spring and Ivory. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveroptic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiveroptic/32/8257_2.png) [@Fiveroptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveroptic)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/14 "2008-04-07T02:55:03Z")
[QUOTE=swampbear] I do like the Icy Blast Irish Spring. Am I alone in this? Should I worry? I also like the original scent Irish Spring. Don’t judge me! [/QUOTE] “Manly, yes – but I like it, too!” No, I really do. Eight bars for three bucks, it works, it doesn’t make me itch, and it reminds me of being a kid since my mom evidently was as thrifty as I am. I use the Micro-Clean version, or whatever the heck that particular flavour is called. Hey **Jim B** , no disrespect to you and your dad but you mentioned that things aren’t quite as clean as they were when your mom was alive. I wonder if maybe the novelty of a cleaning product with a scent this strong is something you’re unaccustomed to and that’s why it seems so overpowering. As an analogy, I prefer to use unscented deodorant and when I ended up with one that had a “fresh” scent, that’s all I could smell all day long. And I mean ALL freaking day. I guess it was better than smelling armpits but everyone knows that you don’t smell your own pits until it’s too late. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/15 "2008-04-07T03:07:18Z")
My grandmother found Irish Spring far too strongly-scented to shower with too, but she did like the fragrance, so for as far back as I can remember, she kept an open bar on the back of the toilet tank as an air freshener. (She’d replace it every six months or so.) When I first learned to crochet, I made a pretty little “cozy” for it, so it looked more like a decorative sachet and less like, yanno, an open bar of soap. To its credit, it lasted AGES longer than the Renuzit thingies. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/16 "2008-04-07T17:10:16Z")
[QUOTE=DMark] There was a time, way back when, that all soaps and shampoos seemed to be trying to create the strongest scent possible - Herbal Essence was also a big hit in the day. I vividly recall hating to go to my early morning classes in college and sit anywhere near the jocks - they all seemed to lather that crap on them by the bucket full during their morning showers. I still remember having to sit next to some huge football player and **though** t I was going to gag to death before the class finished. [/QUOTE] This is like my experience, but replace “thought” with “hoped”. But maybe not to death. I also kind of like Irish Spring soap, but I haven’t used bar soap in a long time. Do they make a body wash? I’m never going to give up my loofah now. ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/17 "2008-04-07T17:13:25Z")
On the bright side, it’s strong enough for a man… but she likes it too. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/18 "2008-04-08T01:52:14Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] If it does say Irish Springs and not Irish Spring, it probably is a counterfeit. Have either of you started speaking in a bogus brogue? [/QUOTE] Yes. Sorry about that typo. The box and soap bar did indeed say “Irish Spring” (no _“s”_) **not**"Irish Spring **s**. Sorry again 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/19 "2008-04-08T02:36:10Z")
[QUOTE=NightRabbit] I remember seeing Irish Spring commercials on TV a few years ago, and I haven’t seen them in a while. [/QUOTE] The TV commercials are back. Their new slogan: “There’s something about the freshness of Ireland that brings out the lasses”. Yes, the freshness of Ireland. It brings lasses out. ---
**Author:** ![pantheon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@pantheon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantheon)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148/20 "2008-04-08T03:02:19Z")
[QUOTE=Manduck] The TV commercials are back. Their new slogan: “There’s something about the freshness of Ireland that brings out the lasses”. Yes, the freshness of Ireland. It brings lasses out. [/QUOTE] Now if we could only figure out what brings all the boys to the yard… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-whole-house-smells-like-irish-springs-now/444148.md?page=2)