I went to a dentist appointment a month or so ago, with lots of safety protocols in place. The hygienist came out to the lobby to ask me some preliminary questions. One was, "can you still smell things?" and I said, "Yes, in fact, there's a terrible odor in this lobby, maybe carpet or something?" and she said, "Oh, I know, you can smell that through masks! It's the cleaner we have to use". Anyway, my point is, it's still possible to smell from behind a mask! (And to complain from behind one)

Vinegar, Clorox, Mr. Clean, Pine-Sol, where does one begin!

No wonder I use so much garlic and onion!

No, the average mask doesn't prevent odor detection. I can smell the flowers in our farmer's market, I can smell the cleaner in our stores. Since the masks are next to worthless protection-especially how most wear them:  scents, odors and smells are not prevented. But, I participate in the illusion and wear mine to go along to get along. 😷

That is one benefit of the masks, especially if you have a stinky listing, haha.

Not so much, if it stinks, it stinks!

Odor in the house?

Ah, yes, cooking odor in many cases. 

We do run into that once in a while.

Not many wear a mask when at home.

Annette,

Given the sales of Clorox and the shortages experienced by some, I would say thank you to Clorox.  LOL A

The masks are worn in an attempt to hide many things ... odors are not the issue. 

And? Not sure what the issue is. Masks mask some things

Our company's listings don't smell to begin with.  :)

I wear a medical mask with a minimum rating of ASTM Level 2 (BFE >= 98%, PFE >= 98% @ 0.1 microns). So, it blocks particle sizes over 0.1 microns (100 nanometers), which includes bacteria, which have diameters of 0.4 to 2.0 microns.

It would also block smoke particles, about 1 micron.

But, gas particles are tiny and would pass thru a face mask.  For example, ammonia molecules are 0.326 nanometers.

Oh man. LOL. Wait'll this is all over and they've lived in the house a few months . . . ringy dingy . . .

For sure, there is some odor in the house...

I don't think so. 

It is not about mask. 

Perhaps with the right mask, however most will not eliminate odors.

oh stink gets through, trust me.

I did get a call from a friend who questioned about dead rats in the walls.  My first experience, generally, they are in plain sight.  

yes that might be true but the other day I was 'accosted' thru my mask with cologne in an elevator. 

The world of microbiology has its own rules and the masks we use cannot navigate correctly in that world. The only true filtering system is a self-contained system where the outside is not allowed in the inside. Masks are lulling people into a false sense of security. They however, do the work of a handerchief/sleeve by covering coughs and sneezes. All esle gets through

Hah I don't know about that but I will say I think it dulls my sense of smell a bit!

or, worst case scenario, you know, uh... Covid-19