1. Baby Powder
The smell of baby powder was everywhere in the ’70s. It wasn’t just for babies anymore—mothers, fathers, and even older siblings would use it, filling the aisles with its powdery, soft fragrance. When you walked past the baby section in a grocery store, that familiar scent would stop you in your tracks, signaling a moment of nostalgia. For many, it evokes memories of Saturday morning grocery trips with the whole family, and of course, the iconic Johnson’s Baby Powder, which seemed to be on every shelf says Reuters.
That powdery aroma almost had a calming effect, lingering in the air like a gentle reminder of simpler days. It wasn’t just about hygiene; baby powder was also used as a quick fix for everything from freshening up sweaty shoes to helping with skin irritations. Today, it’s a fragrance that instantly takes us back to the scent of grocery store aisles in the 1970s, where it sat nestled between bottles of shampoo and boxes of diapers adds ABC News.
2. Lemon Pledge
The fresh, citrusy smell of Lemon Pledge has a way of instantly transporting you to a time when dusting was done by hand, and cleaning products came in bright, eye-catching cans. If you were a child in the ’70s, that scent was as familiar as the ones from the kitchen or the bakery aisle. Grocery stores back then were full of cleaning supplies with distinct smells, and Pledge’s lemony freshness was a favorite. It’s a scent that not only cleans the air but brings back memories of watching your mom polish the wooden furniture while you played nearby shares House Digest.
That lemony aroma was linked to the shine and gleam of freshly dusted surfaces, and it was something almost everyone could relate to. It filled the air when you walked past the cleaning aisle, mingling with the smells of soap and disinfectants. Today, the smell of Lemon Pledge remains a symbol of old-school cleanliness, bringing you back to those family-filled afternoons of chores and TV shows from the ’70s adds Reddit.
3. Canned Pineapple
The sweet, tangy smell of canned pineapple in syrup takes many of us straight back to the ’70s grocery store. There was something about it—those shiny, often colorful cans with their bold labels—that caught our attention, long before the concept of fresh fruits was even on our radar. Canned pineapple wasn’t just a tropical fruit treat; it was an integral part of every home’s pantry. From fruit salads to sweet and sour dishes, it found its way into countless recipes.
The smell of canned pineapple syrup was rich and sweet, instantly reminding us of family gatherings, backyard barbecues, and the joy of eating from the can. It may have seemed like an odd thing to savor, but there was nothing like opening that lid and smelling the syrupy goodness inside. To this day, it remains one of the most nostalgic scents of ’70s grocery shopping.
4. Bologna
Bologna, often synonymous with a quick lunch or a snack, had a distinctive scent that would fill the air of the deli section of any grocery store. The salty, processed aroma of this cold cut would often remind us of the sandwiches we’d bring to school, with mustard, maybe some pickles, or just a simple slice of bread. It was the go-to sandwich meat for families on a budget, and you could practically smell it wafting from the deli counter as you walked by.
The scent of bologna is tied to a simpler, more cost-effective time when buying in bulk and making meals stretch was part of everyday life. For many, it’s a scent that speaks to childhood lunches or the aftermath of a long grocery trip, with bologna piled high on the counter. It’s one of those smells that, no matter how far we’ve come in terms of culinary trends, instantly takes us back to the aisles of ’70s grocery stores.
5. Plastic Grocery Bags
If you ever shopped in the ’70s, the smell of plastic grocery bags is an unmistakable memory. Before reusable bags became the norm, we had plastic ones that crinkled and snapped as we loaded up on canned goods and frozen dinners. They had that distinct, slightly chemical scent, mixed with a faint hint of whatever products they had been carrying. It wasn’t the most pleasant smell, but it was undoubtedly part of the grocery store experience.
Even today, if you catch a whiff of that familiar plastic odor, it can immediately take you back to the moment you stepped out of the store with your weekly haul. The bags were often loaded into the trunk, rattling as the car drove home, and their scent would linger long after you had unpacked the groceries. It’s one of those oddly comforting, everyday scents from a bygone era.
6. Instant Coffee
The rich, earthy smell of instant coffee was a common fixture in grocery stores during the ’70s. Back then, the world of coffee didn’t revolve around artisanal beans or fancy brewing methods—instant coffee was the go-to, offering convenience at the touch of a button. For many, the scent of it meant an early morning ritual or perhaps an afternoon pick-me-up at a time when coffee culture wasn’t quite what it is today.
The aroma of instant coffee was different from fresh-ground coffee; it had a powdery, almost metallic scent that instantly reminded you of the small tin cans it came in. The ’70s were a time of simplicity, and that simple smell from the instant coffee aisle often brought a sense of comfort, even if it wasn’t the best cup of joe. It remains a nostalgic reminder of an era when convenience came first.
7. Popcorn
The smell of freshly popped popcorn was a staple of every grocery store in the ’70s, especially when it was on sale in the snack aisle. That warm, buttery fragrance would waft through the air, instantly making you crave a bag, whether you were there to shop for dinner or just grabbing a snack. While movie theaters have since claimed the title of “popcorn heaven,” back in the day, the smell of popcorn in the store was just as enticing.
Popcorn wasn’t just for movie nights—it was a staple in many homes, ready to be popped up in a pot on the stove or in a popcorn machine. Whether you were grabbing it from the bag or making it at home, the rich, salty aroma was enough to transport you straight back to grocery shopping in the ’70s. The smell is still one that carries a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of simpler times spent with family and friends.
8. Pimento Cheese
In the ’70s, pimento cheese was a beloved snack spread that found its way into every refrigerator. The tangy, creamy aroma of pimento cheese could be found in the deli section, ready to be slathered onto crackers or sandwiches. It was a common sight at picnics and potlucks, and its smell was as comforting as the dish was.
The scent of pimento cheese wasn’t overwhelming, but it was unmistakable—a creamy blend of sharp cheddar and pickled pimentos that left its mark on anyone who passed through the deli aisle. It wasn’t the trendiest item, but it had a dedicated following, and that rich, tangy smell still brings us back to afternoons spent at the kitchen table or snacking while watching TV.
9. Mothballs
Though it’s often associated with older homes and closets, the smell of mothballs was once a common, pungent reminder of the need to protect woolen clothing. It wasn’t unusual to catch a whiff of it while browsing through the aisles of your local grocery store, often from the cleaning or seasonal aisles where mothball packets were sold. It was an odd, sharp scent that lingered in the air, mixing with the more familiar smells of groceries.
Mothballs were essential for many households to keep their woolen goods safe, and their strong, almost medicinal odor was the price you paid for peace of mind. The smell is a definite reminder of a different time, when the concept of home protection extended far beyond the typical household products we use today. It’s one of those smells that isn’t exactly pleasant but still feels oddly nostalgic when it hits your nose.
10. Root Beer Extract
Before soda was sold in every flavor imaginable, root beer was a stand-out. The extract used for homemade root beer, sold in small bottles in the ’70s, had a sweet, earthy smell that could stop you in your tracks. It wasn’t just for making root beer—it was also used in candies, ice cream, and other treats, adding a unique, nostalgic scent to the grocery store.
The smell of root beer extract was unmistakable—a deep, sweet, and slightly spicy aroma that hinted at the soda’s foamy, bubbly end product. Back in the ’70s, it was a treat to make your own root beer, and the extract’s scent remains a fragrant reminder of an era when homemade sodas were all the rage.
11. Mustard Seed
Before Dijon mustard became popular, traditional yellow mustard was a grocery store staple, and its scent was an integral part of the ’70s shopping experience. The sharp, tangy smell of mustard seed would mix with the spiciness of prepared mustard in the condiments aisle, providing a bold sensory cue for shoppers. For many, it’s tied to memories of hot dogs, burgers, and picnics in the backyard.
The mustard seed smell itself wasn’t overpowering, but it was unmistakable—rich, sharp, and a little tangy. It was a scent that brought out cravings, whether you were preparing a casual family meal or preparing to snack at a summer BBQ. The fragrance of mustard seeds still brings us back to that era when yellow mustard ruled the condiment world.
12. Bubblegum
The sweet, sugary scent of bubblegum was all around in the ’70s, filling grocery stores with its childhood charm. From the gum aisle to the checkout line, the smell of bubblegum was everywhere, lingering in the air like a promise of fun. It wasn’t just for kids; adults often chewed it too, whether to curb a craving or just out of habit.
Bubblegum in those days had a distinctly sugary aroma—sometimes sweet, sometimes a little too much so. It was the kind of scent that captured the essence of carefree times, when a pack of gum was one of the most exciting things on a grocery list. Even now, that familiar bubblegum smell takes us right back to those simpler moments.
13. Vinegar
The sharp, sour tang of vinegar has always been a staple in grocery stores, and the smell of it was especially pronounced in the ’70s. Whether it was used for pickling, cleaning, or just as a condiment, vinegar had a scent that couldn’t be ignored. For many, it’s a fragrance linked to the early days of homemade salads or mom’s pickling jars in the kitchen.
It wasn’t the most fragrant scent, but it was undeniably present in the grocery stores of the ’70s. That sour smell, often mixed with the salty scent of pickles, would find its way into many homes. Even now, the smell of vinegar calls up memories of homemade dressing, cleaning solutions, and those jars of pickles that would sit on the counter for weeks.
14. Frozen Fish Sticks
The distinct, almost briny smell of frozen fish sticks is a scent many remember from their childhood grocery trips. This was an easy, quick meal staple for families, and its scent was a constant in the frozen food aisle. It wasn’t the most appetizing odor, but it had a familiarity to it that comforted many who lived through the ’70s.
The smell of frozen fish sticks had a distinctly salty, fishy undertone, often blending with the icy aroma of frozen vegetables. For some, it’s tied to childhood dinners that were prepared with minimal effort but plenty of warmth. Even now, that smell takes us back to the hustle of weekly grocery trips and the simpler meals of the past.