Crossword Genius

Air fresheners required when first of muck spread on ground (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pomanders

'air fresheners' is the definition.
(a pomander is a perfumed ball)

'first of muck spread on ground' is the wordplay.
'first of muck' becomes 'm' (1st letter of 'muck').
'ground' is an anagram indicator ('grind' the letters into a new form).
'm'+'spread'+'on'='mspreadon'
'mspreadon' anagrammed gives 'POMANDERS'.

'required when' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.