# Weird smells that you love. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 24, 2001, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382 "2001-10-24T20:35:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/101 "2012-03-10T03:36:29Z")
I love the smell of a laundromat. There’s one near my work with doors on each end and I often walk through it on my lunch break just to enjoy the smell. Also Oregon and Hawaii, both smell sweet and clean and happy. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/102 "2012-03-10T04:39:55Z")
> [@Essured](#): > > Avgas. > (you know you are going to have fun and go fast when you smell it) fun by association. I find myself sniffing the drain cup before discarding the gas. I like the smell of fresh tar. Not only do I like the smell but it makes me feel like there’s progress going on around me. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/103 "2012-03-10T08:35:01Z")
Gas. Nail polish remover. Magic Markers. And, the pavement after a rain. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/104 "2012-03-10T08:58:17Z")
Whenever I smell burning rubber or plastic, I want to take a whiff of it even though you’re not supposed to do that because it’s toxic. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/105 "2012-03-10T14:02:41Z")
The first time I step out of the Russell Sq Tube Station in London every time I go up there – there’s something about the suddenly rush of melange of all the city’s smells that makes me feel happy and excited. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/106 "2012-03-10T20:10:57Z")
**Gasoline and burnt matches/gunpowder,** this must be a universal love. **Mimeographs!** (Smells like almonds!) **Permanent markers,** like those big ass Magnum 44s. The smells of an **Arts and Crafts store,** like Michaels. (and in my years of yore, Frank’s Nursery and Crafts). **Ozone.** **Pencils.** **Loamy soil.** **Flonase** (Ironically, it smells like flowers or pollen). **Tylenol,** lemme explain: When I take Acetaminophen, honest to god, after about 15 minutes I can “smell” an odd _metallicy-salty_-like smell. It’s weird, impossible to describe, and kind of pleasant. And, of course, that **New Car Smell™.** ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/107 "2012-03-10T20:55:21Z")
I also love gasoline. But I think my favorite weird smell is that plasticky odor from freshly-opened inflatable pool toys. It takes me right back to childhood, blowing up a raft or ring before going for a swim. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/108 "2012-03-10T21:16:44Z")
Printer’s ink, typewash, white gasoline, hand cleaner- Reminds me of my dad ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/109 "2012-03-10T21:58:59Z")
Gasoline, scorched metal and oil; it reminds me of my father. Burnt insulation and ozone; reminds me of the electric gadget kits and model train sets i played with as a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/110 "2012-03-11T01:47:07Z")
> [@DavB](#): > > Just cut grass. Just cut wood. Okay, I was going to get it done, you don’t have to be so bossy. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/111 "2012-03-11T13:02:11Z")
Sawdust. Ozone. (It’s the only pleasurable thing about a power supply blowing. That wonderful smell.) Scotch tape around Christmas season. I swear they add something to the tape during that time of the year that completely changes the smell of it. If I could get that smell in air fresheners and incense, my house would smell that way all year round. The smell of red hot metal. ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/112 "2012-03-11T13:36:12Z")
Horses. And an especially great smell is that of a well-used horse barn: a combination of **horses, hay, feed, wood, and leather.** Yum! ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/113 "2012-03-11T14:45:38Z")
Better yet, a (well kept) horse barn on a rainy day 🙂 My favorite smell in the world is itty bitty kittens, before they’re walking, it changes once they’re really up and about. Sadly\*, not a smell I get to experience very often. Better even than puppy breath 🙂 \*Sadly for me that is, 'cuz I love it. But not enough to add to the cat overpopulation. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/114 "2012-03-11T16:08:54Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Burned matches. > Cordite/gun powder/exploded fireworks smoke > fireplaces > cigars > Borkhum Riff (RIP Grandpa) > Coffee beans > gasoline > rain on hot asphalt > freshly cut grass > baking bread > grilling meat > model airplane glue > sharpies > new car smell > leather CigarsAreEvil. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/115 "2012-03-11T16:26:04Z")
I like the smell of printer toner. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/116 "2012-03-11T22:15:35Z")
New construction. I like the smell of the dust. My dad was a contractor and took me around with him to job sites. I was the youngest of five, and those were the only times in my memory that I had him all to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/117 "2012-03-12T00:11:41Z")
(Wow, this is an OLD zombie.) -Gasoline -White-out -Permanent markers -Bleach -Old books -The smell in the hallways of some apartments -Skunk, from far away -Wood smoke -Slightly dirty clothes ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/118 "2012-03-12T01:45:01Z")
> [@Jasper\_Kent](#): > > Horses. > > And an especially great smell is that of a well-used horse barn: a combination of **horses, hay, feed, wood, and leather.** Yum! This. Exactly this. Every Saturday when I walk into the horse rescue I volunteer at, I stop, just inside the door, and I inhale deeply. It is what Heaven must smell like, if there is such a place. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/119 "2012-03-12T14:20:14Z")
> [@Maiira](#): > > (Wow, this is an OLD zombie.) Maybe the person who resurrected it LIKES the smell of old zombies? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382/120 "2012-03-12T14:50:28Z")
Mimeo paper (hard to find it around much anymore), gasoline, vanilla, old paperbacks. Mmmmmm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-smells-that-you-love/89382.md?page=7)