[Gary] Marr designs scents for the workaday side of the perfumery business, a vast and, in many ways, more demanding assignment. “I know fine fragrance perfumers won’t agree with me on this,” said Marr, “but I’ve always said that fine fragrances are relatively easy. It’s all about making nice, harmonious, round fragrances. Whereas you come to home care/body care—the fragrances have to perform.” Dishwashing scents must “bloom” when they hit water, but also slough off surfaces immediately, so your tableware doesn’t leave your food smelling of perfume; bleach can be made to smell nice, but the perfumer’s task is complicated by the fact that sodium hypochlorite tends to destroy everything it touches.

— Read more in The Odor of Things: Solving the mysteries of scent at Harper's Magazine.