Pets and smoke

[LielC]

Even though I haven't swapped much, I noticed something that really bumms me lots of times when I open a package from a pet/smoking home: A strong stink of smoke, and/or lots of pet hair

I'm not allergic to anything, and these things usually don't bother me, but that doesn't mean I don't deserve a nice clean package... It's very dissappointing, and make the item feel cheap and less thoughtful (and I know how much work goes into it) when it smells bad, or filled with enough pet hair to make a carpet ..

I have a (new ) pet, and I know I'm gonna make sure every package I send is washed and cleaned of pet hair, and that my dog won't have the chance to sit on/next to it.

It's just food for thought for all the other pet owners and the smoking people  I've also been wondering if others have ran into this situation

[Onyxnox]

If you have a sensitivity or aversion to smoke or anything like that, even if it is not an outright allergy, then you may want to put that in your profile/questionnaire.

[donniesgirl]

I have!  And I do put in my profile that I have an aversion to smoke smell, and I have only gotten one package (quilt squares) out of many swaps where it just reeked.  Luckily, with fabric, some washing takes care of that problem.  But obviously, someone who smokes is going to be less sensitive to smoke smell than us non-smokers, so they may not have thought it smelled. 

[Oath Keeper]

It is hard to tell when things smell like smoke if you're a smoker. I'm not one, but I live with smokers and all but three of my friends smoke. And I flat out CAN'T smell it. But apparently back in high school a bunch of people thought I smoked, because I smelled like smoke :/ I couldn't smell it back then and I still can't (from being around it since birth I guess). So yeah, even with taking care, the smell from a smoker will be there I'm betting. It may be best to put down that you're allergic to smoke if it really dose bother.
As for pets, well I"m guilty of puppy hair getting into things. Even if I haven't see it, I'm sure of it. And I've gotten pet fur before. It's kind of struck me as funny that other crafters pets are saying hello too lol. Never had a bad experience, like a package smelling like wet dog I guess it varies from person. Like they say, if in doubt, best to spit it out! Just say something if it bothers you or you're worried about it ruining your swapping fun

[LadybugsAndBumblebees]

I would also consider this problem that the original poster stated from a different perspective.  I would hope that people who smoke are also aware that it leaves an odor on things.  I would also hope that pet owners realize that their pets may have odors as well, and may shed.

Therefore, the THOUGHTFUL thing to do would be to wash the items, or keep them away from the smoke and pets, before sending!

I HAVE swapped with one person on Craftster who smokes AND has pets, and her items are in 100%, A-OK condition when I receive them.  I really do truly think it's about being thoughtful and mindful of what you would want to receive yourself.

I always mention that I would rather not swap with people who smoke or have smokers in his/her home, and that if he/she has pets, to please keep the pet away from the craft and supplies.

[Whysteria]

If it's to much of a problem to you then follow the others suggestions of putting it as an allergy. I don't smoke and I don't allow my cat in my craft room since that's where my birds are so I don't have to worry to much about sending off pet hair. I don't think the smell of smoke or some pet hair diminishes the value of the items but instead increases it. That shows that that person was working hard at home making something one of a kind just for you and some pet hair or smoke that can be washed away shouldn't make it any less special. But that's just my opinion.

[gotgrey]

I do not see cat hair and smoke as an asset, seeing I'm seriously allergic to both.  It's actually cat dander that I'm allergic to, not hair.  Both make me sneeze, wheeze, cough, my skin itch, and make my eyes red, watery, itchy and swell shut.  I try my best to keep my dogs' hair off of my finished crafted projects.  My dogs and my rabbit are not allowed in my craft room.  I always state that I'm allergic to smoke to cat hair/dander.  But, I've swapped w/someone who has a family member that smokes and has a cat.  She has always done a good job of keeping both away from her finished crafted items.  So I say, if you are allergic to such things, you need to say so in your questionnaires.