Air Freshener That Has Worn Out Its Welcome

Karen Collett in Bountiful, Utah, writes:

I unplugged all of the scented oil air fresheners in my house a couple of weeks ago, but I can still smell it! What does this mean? Will it ever go away?

Marilyn responds:

It will go away eventually, but depending on how many air fresheners you were using, it may take weeks. And even after it seems to be gone, you may still notice it when you come home after being away for a few hours. Unlike water, oil doesn’t evaporate, and it clings to most surfaces it touches, such as walls, flooring, carpeting, and furniture. So you’ll probably be stuck with the scent until it degrades from contact with the air over time.