1. Mimeograph paper
For those who went to school decades ago, mimeograph paper was unforgettable. Teachers would pass out freshly copied sheets, their ink giving off a sweet and chemical note. Students could not resist taking in a sniff before beginning their work. That smell was tied to excitement, nervousness, or simply the routine of learning. While the technology is gone now, the memory remains vivid. The scent became part of an era when paper carried more than words. It was a reminder that even fleeting, unusual odors can take root in memory and live on long after the moment passes.
2. Magic markers and permanent ink
Uncapping a marker brings a strong chemical note that most would label harsh, yet it stirs surprising fondness. That bold scent calls back classrooms, doodles, and fresh projects. For many, it smells like creativity itself, tied to the excitement of new notebooks or art time in school. Even adults recall the rush of starting something fresh whenever that familiar ink reaches the air. It is not the solvents that matter most, but the moments attached to them. Childhood, imagination, and learning are what make the smell endure as oddly beloved long after the ink fades from the page.
3. Old books
Pulling an old book off a shelf brings an unmistakable scent. Paper naturally breaks down over time, releasing notes that can resemble vanilla or almond. For readers, it is a comforting aroma of history, learning, and quiet afternoons. Libraries and secondhand shops become filled with that mix of age and warmth. What makes it beloved is not the chemistry but the sense of being connected to countless stories and readers before. It is a smell of time itself, reminding us that books are more than objects, they are vessels of memory and wisdom kept alive by scent.
4. Bleach
Few smells split opinion like bleach. Its sharp and metallic tang feels harsh at first, but for many it translates to cleanliness and safety. It calls to mind spotless bathrooms, fresh laundry, and places that feel sanitized and orderly. The scent can instantly transport someone to memories of home, spring cleaning, or moments when everything felt under control. Though chemically intense, it becomes a kind of reassurance, promising protection against germs and dirt. What makes bleach oddly lovable is not its natural smell, but the trust and relief it represents when life feels fresh, simple, and clean again.
5. Nail polish remover
Opening a bottle of nail polish remover sends up a sharp sting of acetone, yet many people enjoy it. Beyond the bite, there is a faint sweetness that lingers. More than the chemical, the memory it carries is what makes it comforting. For some, it recalls watching a mother or sibling doing their nails, while others connect it with the calm buzz of a salon. The smell ties to beauty, care, and moments of small ritual. Even if the odor is strong, it sits in the mind as a strangely soothing sign of transformation and polish.
6. Your own dog’s breath or fur
Dog owners know it even if they rarely admit it. Their pet’s unique smell, from the yeasty scent of paws to fur after a rainy walk, becomes comforting. Over time, those odors blend into familiarity, shaping how love rewires the senses. What others might call odd or funky, owners find warm because it signals companionship. A whiff of a dog’s breath or coat feels like home, full of loyalty and presence. It is a reminder that personal bonds change perception, making something that should be unpleasant instead feel lovable, grounding, and tied to affection every single day.
7. Skunk (from a distance)
Skunks are often dreaded, but from a safe distance their smell tells a different story. The faint trace of that strong spray can mimic something earthy and musky, almost like a deep cologne. For people who grew up near wooded areas or spent nights camping, the scent brings back rustic memories. It is not pleasant up close, but when carried lightly on the wind, it becomes a reminder of nature and the outdoors. It lingers in the mind as a curious mix of wildness and familiarity, proving even the strangest odors can settle into warm associations.
8. Campfire smoke
Campfire smoke curls into the air with a scent that feels ancient. It is strong, sometimes clinging to hair and clothes, but people cherish it because of what it represents. The smell calls back nights around the fire, roasting marshmallows, or swapping stories under the stars. It carries warmth, community, and survival, connecting us with traditions far older than we are. Even when it lingers for days, many do not mind, because it feels like a piece of adventure taken home. Smoke is more than burning wood, it is memory preserved in air and shared togetherness.
9. Body odor (sometimes)
Though often considered unpleasant, body odor can be oddly appealing in certain cases. A faint scent on someone you care about feels completely different than a stranger’s. That subtle aroma becomes part of closeness, connecting affection with biology. People find comfort in the smell of a loved one’s clothes or pillow, even when it carries the mark of sweat. It turns into reassurance, a reminder of presence and warmth. While strong odor still pushes most away, the softer version tells a deeper story about bonds, attraction, and how personal connection can reshape how the senses respond.
10. Chlorine (like public pools)
The smell we think of as chlorine at pools is not the chemical itself but compounds formed when it reacts with sweat and water. Still, many people love it. That sharp scent is a ticket back to childhood summers, cannonballs, and long afternoons in the sun. It feels like freedom wrapped in water and laughter. Even though the science behind it sounds less glamorous, the mind connects it with joy. For many, just one whiff sparks images of diving boards and endless blue skies, turning an otherwise harsh odor into a happy echo of carefree days.
11. Fresh tar or asphalt
Step outside on a hot day, and fresh asphalt releases a smoky smell that instantly fills the air. Scientifically, it comes from heated hydrocarbons, but emotionally, it speaks of summer. For those who remember scraped knees on sidewalks or nights playing in the street, the scent ties directly to growing up. It is not the chemicals themselves that feel good, but the moments they remind us of. That sticky, heavy odor becomes a backdrop for laughter, sweat, and community, making something technically unpleasant feel warm and almost inviting whenever the pavement heats beneath the sun.
12. Gasoline
Everyone has a smell they secretly enjoy even if they would never admit it. For many, the scent of gasoline tops the list. It carries that sharp chemical bite, yet somehow it feels nostalgic. The brain reacts to its compounds in ways that spark a subtle sense of reward, but the bigger pull comes from memory. People link it to road trips, childhood rides, or even helping at the station. That fleeting whiff becomes less about the fuel itself and more about the moments it recalls, wrapping odd chemistry in a familiar sense of comfort.
13. Bus or subway brakes
The smell of hot brakes as a bus or subway slows down is gritty and metallic, yet somehow it feels alive. For city dwellers, it becomes part of the rhythm of daily life. That scent blends into the experience of rushing to work, staying out late, or simply being surrounded by motion. It captures the energy of a place that never stops moving. The odor itself may not be sweet, but it is inseparable from the stories of urban living. To many, it is less about burning brakes and more about belonging to the pulse of the city.
14. New sneakers or leather shoes
Nothing feels quite like opening a new shoebox and taking in that first breath of rubber, glue, and fabric. It is a strange mix, but it instantly signals something fresh and exciting. For some, it brings back the thrill of the first day of school or stepping out in style with a new look. Leather shoes add their own earthy richness, reminding people of quality and pride. These scents are tied less to the chemicals themselves and more to confidence, beginnings, and the joy of something new. It is a smell of fresh starts and self-expression.
This story 14 Gross Smells People Secretly Love and the Weird Science Behind Why was first published on Daily FETCH
