I can't Believe I was #Noseblind All This Time!

*This post and giveaway were made possible by Double Duty Divas and Febreze. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.*

Over Valentine's weekend our family went out of town for a mini vacation. We were visiting my husband's parents and his aunt, who are visiting Florida from New Jersey where they live. We only get to see his parents a few times a year, so seeing them is always special. The fact that he has not seen his aunt in over 12 years and that the kids and I have never met her, made this visit extra special.

We only stayed for one night(two days), but we had such a wonderful time. The kids loves seeing their grandparents and fell in love with their great aunt immediately. The whole trip was just a fun getaway and, while short, full of lifelong memories.

Everything about the trip was great...until we got home. It was late, the kids had fallen asleep, we were exhausted(in the best possible way) and were glad to be home after the long drive. The trouble came when I stepped in the house. That is when I noticed the horrible smell of our cat throughout the entire home. It hit me as soon as I stepped inside.

Not only was I mad that I had to smell that after such a nice little vacation, but I was embarrassed that my house could smell that way, and even more embarrassed that I was so clueless. I thought back to every time I had a guest in my home and realized what they must have thought. I had gone noseblind and never realized it.

If you don't know what  noseblind means, or how it happens, you might be surprised how common it is(as I was.) Noseblindness is when one has become so used to the odor in your home(or wherever) that you literally no longer notice it. You think everything smells fine, even when you leave for short amounts of time and come back. You need to be away for awhile, for your nose to get used to the odorless air for awhile, before you can notice it.

The problem is, that anyone not exposed to the odor daily as you are is not used to it, and smells every foul stench when the enter your home. I was always worried that my home is too cluttered or a bit messy when I have visitors and never realized that was the least of my problems. I needed to take my house back, and I needed to do it fast.

I immediately sprayed air freshener and lit candles, but I knew it was all just masking the smell, because I use such scented products all the time, and if that worked, my house would not have this kind of smell. I had to take real action, so the next day I bought Febreze(as we had ran out awhile back and I was so noseblind I didn't realize how much we needed it.)

The reason that Febreze works so much better than candles and (ordinary) room spray is because Febreze Fabric Refresher actually captures and eliminates the odors from fabric and Febreze Air Effects actually traps and removes the odors from the air. Febreze even has Car Vent Clips, which are activated by your car's air conditioning to freshen the air in your car. Much better than a cardboard tree, huh?

I used Febreze Fabric Refresher on my couch, loveseat, carpets, and all 4 of our giant bean bags as well as our beds and even on the clothes in our closets. I did not want to miss anything that could have absorbed the odor.

I used Febreze Air Effects in every room. I love how I could smell the wonderful scent while knowing the real odors would disappear.

I put the vent clip in our car. I did not even think the car really needed it, but I was not taking any chances, besides just because something does not smell bad, doesn't mean it smells good, and now the car smells amazing.

I am so glad that Febreze could help me rid my home of the pet odor that I was noseblind to for far too long. Our cat is like a member of the family(especially to our daughter, who is practically attached to him at all times), and I could never imagine having to get rid of him, but it meant a never-ending odor in my home, that would have been a problem.

It looks like Baby(the cat) can rest easy knowing that no matter how smelly he is, Febreze will pick up the slack to make sure we can keep Baby in a loving and odor free home.

Someone else seems to be happy about that too. With those two sweet faces, how could I ever want Baby anywhere but in our home?

Thankfully, not only do Febreze products really work, but they also meet the standard to appear on the ASPCA's Pet Friendly Living List, so you can be sure your pets are safe. Safety is so important to me, not only for Baby, but for my own babies(children). I am so glad I can trust Febreze to protect them for odor and from harmful ingredients.

I wish I read realized how common noseblindness was much sooner. A global survey from Atomik Research in 2014 indicated that 49 percent of Americans say that they dread visiting homes with pets due to the smell. With help from Jane Lynch and the ASPCA, Febreze is prompting pet lovers nationwide to talk about what guests really smell. And I am definitely listening. Are you?

If you have a pet that you love in spite of them being a #Stinkface, you can show off one of their stinkiest moments(no poop pics) on Instagram with the hastags #Stinkface, #Noseblind and #Febreze(and tag @toastmeetsworld). Doing so will enter you into the Double Duty Divas giveaway for the chance to win a $400 grand prize. Full details can be found HERE. 

You can also enter the Rafflecopter form below for the chance to win $25 worth of Febreze product, A universal smart phone camera lens kit ($90 value), and a $100 gift card to PetCo. And be sure to follow the Febreze #Noseblind page on Facebook and the Febreze page on Facebook and Twitter.

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