Smell of freshly baked bread, clean sheets make Britishers happy

The smell of freshly baked bread, clean sheets and freshly mown grass are among the whiffs that make Brits happy, says a study.

According to an online study, freshly-baked bread followed by clean sheets, freshly mown grass, fresh flowers and freshly ground coffee were the top five of the list.

''Scent has always played an important part in our everyday life - wherever we go, we are surrounded by different smells, some good and some bad," the Telegraph quoted Stephen Weller, Director of Communications at the International Fragrance Association, as saying.

Pamela Dalton, who has a PhD in experimental psychology and trained as a cognitive and sensory psychologist, added: ''We may all react differently to any particular scent. Smell has the power to revive the past and transport us to a happy time or place or remind us of a special person, evoking feelings of nostalgia and comfort. The link between scent and memory is very strong, and how we react to different smells is therefore very unique and dependent on who we are as individuals and our past experiences.''

Top 20 smells that make Brits happy

1. Freshly baked bread
2. Clean sheets
3. Freshly mown grass
4. Fresh flowers
5. Freshly ground coffee
6. Fresh air after rain fall
7. Vanilla
8. Chocolate
9. Fish and chips
10. Bacon frying
11. Roast dinner
12. Babies
13. Lemon zest
14. Lavender
15. Petrol
16. Apple and blackberry crumble in the oven
17. A freshly lit match
18. Roses
19. Party poppers
20. Rubber tyres