Smells Like The Honor Roll

A new study conducted by Dr. Alan Hirsch and the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, funded by Clorox’s Pine Sol cleaning brand, shows that children who perform better at school almost always identify their homes with scents associated with clean.

The study of nearly 5,000 high school students found top performing students (those with grade averages of A and B) overwhelmingly—84%—used words like “lemony, clean or baked goods” to describe the smell of their childhood homes. More than one-third (34%) of lower performing students (average of C or below) associated negative smells—of urine, fecal matter or mold—with their homes.

While the study focused on scent, Hirsch said it’s unlikely there is something within those specific odors that causes academic success. According to Hirsch, a more likely explanation is that there is a positive connection between a well-cared home and the sort of stable family environment that promotes academic success.

“What this study tells me is that there is a strong correlation between the memory of a clean-smelling home and academic success,” said Dr. Hirsch. “If you are in a home that has clean, pleasant aromas, it will promote success by enhancing harmony in the household, which then furthers a nurturing environment for the child. It’s a powerful example of the role parents play in creating the sort of environments kids need to thrive.”

The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation took on the study, which was funded by the Pine-Sol cleaning brand, in order to gain a better understanding of the ways the memory of scents impacts the lives of kids.

The study helped show that a correlation between memory of positive scents and performance not only begins at an early age, but is also something that parents can impact.

“A clean smelling home is just one component to the overall picture of how parents can provide a healthy and stimulating family environment, and help their children improve self-esteem and have a more positive learning experience,” comments Charmaine Hussein, marketing manager for Pine-Sol at The Clorox Company. “We are excited by this research, as it really shows that there is a higher order need for cleaning. It’s not just about a clean house – it’s about the powerful difference parents can make in the lives of their children.”

Pine-Sol is making a commitment to reading as another way to help children achieve by donating $40,000 this year to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). Pine-Sol is also using Facebook to boost reading in schools. For every two people that ‘Like’ Pine-Sol, Pine Sol will donate one book, up to 5,000 books. With these funds and consumer action, RIF can distribute a total of 25,000 new books to children.