I sniff the fabrics all the time. I start sneezing when I walk into the store. After purchasing any fabric I pre-wash everything and I sometimes use vinegar or ammonia to kill the odor. Also to make sure the fabrics don't bleed. I use warm to hot water and throw in a med heat dryer.

Back in the day, I didn't take a job at a fabric shop because it made my eyes water just like the college biology lab did.

I don't go out of my way to do so but sometimes some just 'hit' you. I think a lot of the sneezing/coughing issues (myself included) might come from the increased level of dust that all the fabric and cardboard bolts just inherently contain.

I don't sniff fabrics at a store, because I don't want to inhale any processing chemicals, and once home they'll get washed immediately, but I do if they are being sold at a yard sale, because I won't buy them if they smell musty.
What I DO smell consistently prior to purchasing are my BOOKS! I love that new book smell (which is probably the glue in the binding---does that make me a glue sniffer, lol?)

Okay...so I am not nuts (or maybe I am but no one has told me???) Thanks for all your answers.

Anita

I have asthma and sensitive nose so if i can smell an odor def woyldnt buy! Been very fortunate though.

i try not to. things come home and right into the wash.

i worked in clothing retail in high school: shipments would come in reeking of pesticides. i don;t need that delivered directly to my respiratory system.

a

I'm blessed with a poor sense of smell. I've never noticed any particular odor with new fabric. Thrift store and garage sale fabric is "sniff at your own risk".
Rodney