Childhood smells

[Gemini]

I loved the smell of Pears soap, and the amber see through look of it.

[Oma]

Oh pears soap is lovely , I bought the liquid one but it doesn't smell the same,

My old aunt loved lavender water and would sprinkle it on everything ,
Strange how these smells evoke long forgotten memories,

Lifebuoy soap was another one or carbolic soap,
You can still buy it , I was surprised at that.

[Gemini]

The smell of Vosene shampoo reminds me of my dad, who washed his hair with it.

And the smell of hair spray of mum, who would use it getting ready for work when I was in my teens.

[Daisy]

We still use Pears soap sometimes. There is also a green one now which is scented with lemon flowers. It's lovely too. We also use Imperial Leather because I like the smell of that.

[Oma]

I have Imperial leather in my soap dispenser by the sink ,

Yes Gem vosene and can you remember Polytar shampoo , it was the equivalent of Head & Shoulders then.
Still love the smell.

[Plantaholic]

I do envy you all. I don’t have a sense of smell. Wondered why I couldn’t smell perfumes like my friends.

[Daisy]

Plant, I think I've mentioned my GD1 also had no sense of smell. When she gets home from school her mum or Dad always tell her what's cooking, because GD2 goes straight into the kitchen with her nose all but twitching, but of course, GD1 has no idea what's on the menu for tea.

[WeeGranny]

As a child I had very bad psoriasis all over my body. I used to have to go to the hospital and crude tar would be applied to the affected parts and then bandaged! All I wanted to do was scratch it off. So as you can imagine the smell of tar brings back painful childhood memories!
Luckily they developed coal tar ointment which was much more pleasant!
My dad smoked a pipe and I loved the smell of his tobacco, Balkan Sobraine.
Germoline in little round tins.
Roast beef cooking. My niece said that was one smell that might make her stop being a vegetarian!
Mum’s 4711 cologne.
Warm bread from the bakery, especially a pan loaf which always got wrapped in tissue paper.
The smell of tomatoes in the greenhouses grown by the local greengrocer. Didn’t like tomatoes but loved the smell!

[Gemini]

Oh yes WG, pink Germoline in the tins, I liked that smell.

[Plantaholic]

Quite worrying really not to be able to smell dangerous things and I tend to overwash things.

[Gemini]

Yes, I can imagine how difficult it must be Plant

[Daisy]

Plant, I can see the dangers as well - checking that food is ok by sniffing it, smelling if anything is burning, to say nothing of deciding something needs a wash. Did you lose your sense of smell at some point, or have you never had it?

[Plantaholic]

Not too sure, I just remember as a teenager not being able to smell perfume that my friends could

[Daisy]

Plant, it's difficult for a young child to tell that they have never had a sense of smell, isn't it. It only dawned on us quite gradually that our GD1 couldn't smell anything. I can't remember how old she was, probably about 8. I think it was food of some kind, but I can imagine friends discussing perfume would have been very strange for you.