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An air purifier with an activated carbon filter would be the best tool for this. Look for purifiers that are rated for Volatile Organic Compounds. These filters use carbon to bond to other free floating compounds in the air and can greatly help eliminate odours.

My therapist has a relatively extensive "NO SCENTS" policy that everyone has to read and sign (even if we never plan to go into the office physically). It explains that some patients have various sensitivities or sensory issues and the need for everyone to feel comfortable there. IIRC, it came along with the questionnaire about what you need, your sensitivities, etc.

But yeah, +1 on the air purifier with active carbon.

She can make (buttered) popcorn in the microwave everyday. Microwave popcorn has an uncanny ability to mask strong odors.

White vinegar is amazing for removing smells without leaving a smell behind. I used to leave trays of vinegar in apartments where people smoked, and it would help to absorb the smell.

Maybe mix a fine mist spray bottle with 50/50 and try misting the air? This will also help to remove the smell from surfaces.

I also use rubbing alcohol to mist furniture to remove smells. Bonus that it dries super quick.

Many businesses in Canada are scent free. She should make it part of her new client orientation and post signs.

My health authority has a blanket no-scent policy for all healthcare buildings (which would include buildings where psychotherapy is practised), because some people are allergic to scents or are so sensitive to them that they can't concentrate. Maybe your wife can implement a similar policy.

Used to use ozone deodorizing spray back in the day to remove weed smell. It was quick and really effective, you just have to be careful to exit the room and air it out, because its not exactly healthy to breathe in concentrated ozone. (Yes, i get the irony of saying that immediately after admitting to smoking weed)

can she politely ask they apply less scents? she could claim a hypersensitive nose and be extremely apologetic about it.

I think the No Scents Please policy also serves the general good of advising people that they use too much scent. You stop being able to smell it yourself when you use it everyday.

coffee grinds! My dad used to smoke in his car (20 years ago) and had a container of coffee grinds to minimise the smell. You'll also find coffee grinds in some perfume stores, because it resets your smell and gets rid of scents "stuck" in your nose.

You could ask people not to wear perfume, but in my experience, people do not always listen to this, so the coffee grinds might be a good back-up plan!

I was quite sceptical about those water-swirling air purifiers/humidifiers, but I found it surprisingly good at reducing lingering cooking odours (and as a bonus, trapping a bunch of pollen and dust).

Mine was fairly large though.

the best solution is to make it a policy that people not wear scents. Is there a manager or someone in authority who could implement that so your wife isn't the bad guy? It's for the benefit of her other clients as well.

If I were your wife, I would make "scent&perfume free" a condition of her services.

Migranes, post a little sign asking visitors to please refrain. You'd think if they care about seeing a therapist, they're at least a bit considerate, or are working on it.

I use ozium and fart in my office all day long. It works

You can get a "bag of charcoal " at home depot... it neutralizes the air. Put in inconspicuous place. Put it outside in the sun a few hours every 6 months to charge I have 3 dogs one is very old and just smells.... this took care of it It's also... CHEAP!! A friend that works in a nursing home told me about it.

In addition to air purifier with carbon, ventilation. Open a window

50/50 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Simply ask them not to (and a gentle reminder when they do anyway)

You need a tool called an ozone generator. They're like $400 on Amazon. They clear scent pretty much instantly in an office size space.

Coffee grounds are a good deodorizer

Coffee grounds help, I know some hospitals put coffee grounds in a neb to get rid of the icky smells

Go telehealth! I have issues with scents too and when Covid happened I went 100% virtual with my own practice. No regrets.

Your wife is a therapist who avoids conflict resolution?...

Someone I work with wears very strong cologne. It doesn't smell bad, it's just overpowering and the smell will sit there for at least 10 minutes. I have a small fan I just turn on after he leaves to blow it out the door of my office.

You can get anti-odor sprays like Febereeze with no scent, and it works like a charm. It blew my mind the first time I used it, because we’re so used to smelling at least something, that smelling nothing at all was an odd experience.

Yeah man, most office/indoor environments basically universally exclude scent at work. Just have her put a small, discreet placard up. No biggie. Etiquette, if you will.

Used to work in healthcare. I’m shocked to have scrolled so far down without seeing coffee grounds. They absorb smells. We used them in the c Diff rooms, iykyk

My clinic has signs up, and if someone's really bad the receptionist will gently remind them for next time.

I work in HVAC, and can professionally confirm most air purifiers dont do jack for smells.

You need an active carbon filter to deal woth odors, or a chemical deoderant/"air freshener", but ultimately the only way to eliminate airborne odors is to remove the source.

This is a therapy office. Your wife should consider banning scented perfumes because it could cause a sensory issue for her other patients. It's a win-win because she doesn't have to deal with overpowering scents, and it creates a better overall environment for everyone.

In my 2 weeks of driving for Uber I learned an important lesson. Everyone has a scent and it is measured on 2 axes. Strong to weak. Bad to good. And after 30 or 40 people sit in your car, all of their weak, strong, bad, and good scents join together to be bad and strong.

I work in the same room as someone that mixes their own scents after buying cheap mixers from China. I also suffer from migraines. Yeah…..

I have a no scents policy but so E people use strong laundry soap. Also, mental health can impact hygiene and some people over compensate. Also, some clients are smokers. I use an air purifier and i have a product called room shocker that i use.

Baking soda is a safe, natural, and cheap way to absorb odours

As most others mentioned, your wife should probably implement a no-scent policy so everyone feels comfortable.

And I’m sure the fancy filters everyone is mentioning will do the best job.

But for two easy/cheap options to try to absorb scent: baking soda or coffee grounds

Baking soda is a classic, many people use it in their fridges to absorb odors.

Coffee grounds does a similar thing, absorbs odors. A girl I knew who worked at Bath&Body Works said they hide coffee grounds at her store in strategic places so the air doesn’t get overrun with the strong scents and make people sick and not want to buy their products. Or so they don’t go noseblind as fast.

This is a great opportunity for your wife to practice the skill of immediacy -i.e. giving the client feedback on what they, the therapist, experiences by being around the client and extrapolate it to how other people in the clients life may be affected. Something like, "hey Client, the perfume you're wearing is strong. You might be so used to the scent, you haven't noticed that the effect is intense. With allergies on the rise, a lot of places, particularly medical sites, are going scent free. Do you mind dialing it down? How was it for you to receive this feedback? I'm using this as an opportunity to practice confrontation and want to hear your reaction ". I hope this helps and doesn't come across as condescending in any way.

Airthereal B50 Mini Ozone Generator Air Purifier- Removes Odors and Sterilizes Air in Small Spaces Up To 320 Sq Ft - Plug in Mini Air Ionizer, Adjustable Ozone Output of 10-50 mg/h https://a.co/d/7XZgYzA

Burning a match is my go-to

I’ve been to several therapists and naturopaths with a strict no scent policy. That would seem the easiest way to remove it.

A sign requesting people not to do it, next time.

Hose them all down

A hose and scrub brush.

Haha! When I was a pet sitter, I had a client that really liked to use scents. My partner knew when I went to their house, even if I didn’t get back until hours later. Half the time I’d be “forced” to take a shower.

The massage therapy place I go to has a sign stating to not wear fragrance. That would be a good first step.

I noticed that fragrances are so strong these days. I blame Le Labo.

I'd ask the clients to not wear scents.

You put up a sign explaining someone is allergic and you get a couple air purifiers. Note: family member works with a doctor who does this for all of his patients. Each patient is aware they can’t wear heavy scents.

what if ur Armenian?

Light and candle. Let it burn. Blow it out. The carbon will clean the air.

No scents is a great policy IF people follow it. Plenty of people don't think they smell, either they've scent adapted to themselves or if they haven't sprayed on an actual perfume/cologne they think they are following the rules. Because they don't think of body wash, shampoo, antiperspirants, hair spray, hand lotion etc etc. So definitely pop up the policy but be prepared for someone to come back with "oh but I'm not wearing any fragrance!" and invest in the air purifier.

In my experience with fragrance allergies you have to nicely ask them to discontinue scent usage the day of the appointment. Air purifiers don’t work (at least for me) when it’s on someone or in someone’s clothes. But implementing a no scent policy in the office might be the way to go, especially a therapists office.

Have a no scent/perfume policy

Also get an air filter with charcoal in the room. Some client have strong BO or sweat, especially in summer. If the room, has poor circulation, your air filter will help. A mask will also help and sometimes you just need to tell the client straight up that the smell is too strong and I won't be able to work with you today.

I used to work for an acupuncturist and he had signs up and put in his rules that no strong scents were allowed.

Bicarb. Open containers of it around the room.

Covers on furniture that are easy to remove, to air out or wash. Also spare covers for a quick swap out.

No air sprays at all, and rules around no scents for clients.

I think if you peel open an orange it naturally deodorizes the air

Ooof. I’m hoping this isn’t about me since I just saw my therapist today. 😬

The plan: Identify every scent that people in the small office wear. Make this concoction of scents into a candle to desensitize your wife to the smells.

Profit???

It's your house put up a sign that scents aren't allowed like most hospitals and regular offices do.

My wife has to deal with this because she's in education, 1 on 1 and gets headaches from perfumes. She just asks them nicely to not wear scents when the come to see her. Never had a problem.

Rotten garbage should overpower all other scents.

Put a sign on the entry door that says no cologne/perfume...

Try nice, 100% beeswax candles. They're remarkably good at absorbing smells & impurities in the air. Also they provide a nice aesthetic.

We always had a sign that read "No Scents Makes Sense" because not everyone can tolerate all smells. Some ppl are allergic.

Maybe a dehumidifier?

It worked in my house... It stank before from previous owners and now it's all good.

Asked friends cause you know, your nose gets used to it after some time.

My colleague uses scented candles (beware of the fire policy though), I usually just open windows and also have good experience with flowers in a pot.

I have a severe allergy to scented products, like perfume. It’s awful, very hard to avoid. I have found that beeswax candles can help - the beeswax coats the allergens in the air, makes them heavy, and they fall out of the air. Learned this from an allergist and it does help!

I’m surprised you read that about air purifiers. Mine definitely removes smells from the air. Get a good quality one with a good filter.

Lemon covers literally any smell - advice from a stoner 😂

There’s little pots with jelly called neutradol that remove stuff like this. I brought a new car that stank of stale McDonalds, couple of days in there and I couldn’t smell it anymore!

A lemon tree. Plus it's nice greenery for the office.

She should definitely just add a disclaimer, it's pretty common in small offices so I don't think it would be a huge deal to her clients. I think most people get it.