Help! I'm smelly!

[CherylCH]

This is embarassing but I really need recommendations for a good strong deodorant and tips on keeping my workout tops from getting gross. In the past three years or so, I have had a problem where my deodorant will just stop working. When this happens, I will switch to another brand and usually that solves the problem until that one stops working. I have used Secret, Soft and Dry, Arm and Hammer and Lady Speedstick. I don't sweat very much, but at the end of the day, I can smell BO mixed in with the deodorant smell (gross, I know). My BF swears it's in my head, but I can smell it and it drives me crazy. Has anybody else had this problem? Have you found a brand that takes care of it? BTW, I also wash every day with antibacterial body wash, and I can't use the clear deodorants because they make me break out.

Also, I find that the underarms of my workout tops stay smelly even after I wash them. Does anybody have any tricks for getting that smell out?

Thanks for your help.

Cheryl, a.k.a. Stinky

[gertdog]

Cheryl, at the risk of embarrassing myself, I know exactly what you mean. When I work out I don't get very sweaty, but I DO get really smelly. :o Ugh! I haven't found an excellent solution either, but a few things have helped a little.

First- you say "deodorant" but I assume you mean anti-perspirant/deodorant- am I right? Even if you aren't very sweaty, a little moisture can cause BO, so be sure you are using an anti-perspirant.

Second- I apply my anti-perspirant in the morning before getting dressed, then re-apply before beginning my workout. That seems to help.

Third- I don't know if you have time to shower right after your workout. If you don't, I've found that those "body wipes" made by various companies are helpful and leave me feeling much more clean and fresh.

As for the workout tops- try soaking them in cool water with some baking soda mixed in as soon as you get home. And wash as soon as possible after wearing.

Good luck- and if you find any fail-proof solutions, please do let me know!!

[wallycat]

Mitchum antipers. is the BEST stuff EVER...you can REAALLY miss a day and not notice anything.

I also wash my exercise stuff frequently.

[BeachBum]

I feel like I have the same problem. No solutions really though. I keep switching anti-perspirants as well. I've stuck with "dry idea" unscented the longest. My other "tips" are to shave every day, and to make sure your pits are 100% dry before applying anti-perspirant.

I also use Burt Bee's deodorant. It it not an antiperspirant, and I use it on the weekends or when I know I wont sweat or work out. It's all natural and well I feel like it give my pits a break. Plus I do worry about cancer with antiperspirant. At least if I smell while wearing Burt's it smells natural, not totally gross like that deo-B/O smell.

Also drink lots of water. Extensive sweating is often a sign of dehydration.
As for the tops, I haven't had that problem. I would suggest washing them right away, so the sweat doesn't dry. Or at least put them in the sink and rinse them.

[olive101]

I don't really have a suggestion, I just wanted to add that I am smelly too!:eek: Last year I started getting really bad rashes/breakouts in my pits from my anti-perspirant. Now, I can only use the natural stuff, and it just doesn't work. I feel like I stink all the time!

A few of my friends had sweat issues and they got perscription antiperspirant which is supposed to work really well. I think it can cause some skin irritation though. Maybe ask your Dr. about it.

[SusanMac]

I've never heard of rinsing workout/spandex clothes in water mixed w/baking soda. Is this instead of soapy water, or just an interim thing you're supposed to do?

[gertdog]

It's an interim thing- soak and deodorize, if you aren't able to throw it in the wash right away. Just like baking soda can help eliminate odors in the fridge, it can help do the same for laundry.

You can actually use baking soda as an additive in the washing machine too- it performs deodorizing functions there, too. I like it because it's gentle- I worry about breaking down the elastic and lycra even when a garment is machine washable.

[RebeccaT]

I had the same problem for such a long time, and not just when I was working out... at the end of a regular workday I was stinky! :o

I did two things, and now I am "stink-free..." :D

- I stopped using scented anti-perspirant. I figured out that it was actually making any odor more noticible, as opposed to covering it up. I started using strictly unscented.

- I switched from regular to "sensitive skin." I wasn't sure if this would matter, but it apparently did. I would get lots of red bumps after using AP, and while I can't be sure that they were contributing to any odor, I can't be sure they weren't, either. I now use Dove Invisible stick for sensitive skin - no fragrance at all, and I am odorless!! :D :D

[catharine]

Originally posted by wallycat
Mitchum antipers. is the BEST stuff EVER...you can REAALLY miss a day and not notice anything.


Ditto. Lady Mitchum has this clear gel that is supposed to be some of the best on the market. I use it and LOVE it. It is in a light green container.

I seem to recall their being some concern about how powerful it is (some suspicious ingredient or something, not the urban myth about breast cancer, though).

I am telling you there is nothing like it. Please give it a try and report back to us. Good luck. :)

[Chefzhat]

Girl, go get yourself some Certain-Dri at the drugstore, or online at beauty.com. This is formerly prescription stuff now OTC and works wonders. Apply at night (roll-on) every night for a few days, then you only need it once a week or so. I have no idea why it works, but it does.

Debie

[CherylCH]

I do shave everyday, apply AP/deodorant after my shower and again before I work out, and wash my workout clothes after every wear. I have not been soaking them though and often the sweat dries before I wash them. I will start doing that. I will also try the Lady Mitchum and in unscented. I have never thought of it before, but you're right that the combination of the BO and deodorant smell is very gross.

Thanks for all the tips!

[donleyk]

That is a good tip, the baking soda. I wish this came up before I bought Oxyclean! That's okay and I just want to add it has made a noticable difference in my workout clothes.

Thanks for all the tips.

[rmg_CA]

What about adding a little Borax to your laundry? It's supposed to be a laundry booster and deodorizer.

[JHolcomb]

Extreme stinkyness is one of our family traits. I was at the gym the other day and thought "What is that gawdawful smell." Then I realized it was me. It was seriously so bad that I left because I was so embarrassed and was scared someone would smell me!!

Anyway, I have a couple of regular (not gym!!!) shirts that have that faint bo smell. I'm afraid it's kinda baked in, but I'm going to try some of the suggestions posted.

Sis and one of my cousins had to go the Rx route, and it seemed to work.

I actually did an experiment one summer---I let my armpit hair grow out. And as weird as this seems, I swear I stank less than I do when I shave every day!

You know when Napoleon was a week or so from coming back from a campaign, he would send word to Josephine that she shouldn't bathe from that moment until after his return because he "liked the way she stank." Ummm...yuck.

[lisas3575]

Cheryl, just curious how the Lady Mitchum worked out for you... I'm having the same problem. The deodorant I've used for years has stopped working. Ick.

[Kristilyn1]

I almost skipped this thread thinking everyone would beat me to the solution, and no one had! Imagine my surprise.

Have you ever tried crystal deodorants or liquid crystal? They are sold in the natural food aisle or at a natural food store. They are sold as an actual crystal that you wet and wipe under your arms or the liquid ones are just like roll on deodorant. They are NOT an anti-perspirant but wherever you rub it is completely odor free. I just got one of my friends using one this week while we were on vacation, she was amazed at how well it works.

I highly suggest you give it a try.

Kristi

[Little Bit]

Living where I do, sweat is an inevitable part of life. Not so much a matter of if, but when. ;)

I've been using Mitchum Unscented for some time now and have been very pleased. I've used both the white solid and the clear gel.

I also have heard that Certain-Dri is very good, but that you need to be very careful not to apply it right after you shave. (ouch!) Follow the directions, if you try that one. Apparently it's pretty intense.

Another suggestion is for a deodorant body powder. I wear Shower to Shower (with baking powder and cornstarch) practically every day for years, and it really does help me feel less sticky on really humid days.

As for soaking your workout clothes, have you tried soaking them in a solution of laundry soap and water for a while before you wash them? (sorta the way you might soak stubborn dishes or pots and pans) Think of it as one step up from a simple pre-treatment. :)

[stefania4]

Sweat glands are controlled by nerves. Because of a neurological problem I sweat profusely, but only on one side.

Botox injections can paralyze the nerves so that they don't activate the sweat glands. It takes quite a number of them, though, in a small area. I told my neurologist that I'm already on allergy and B-12 shots, I really don't want any more!

There is an OTC product available in Europe called Odaban. After nothing, nothing, nothing else worked - even the meds my neuro gave me - THAT worked. www.odaban.com. Yes, it's a little itchy right after application. I'll deal with that for the glory of being able to wear cotton shirts again.

[mbrogier]

Try pouring in about a half cup of white vinegar into your washer when washing your gym clothes. That will help get out smells. Be sure to try an anti-persperant. DH is NOT a stinky person, but he tried a new body deodorant spray and he smelled bad. We figured out that it was a combination of that and a medication that he was taking. He stopped both, and no more stinky.

I use Dove deodorant because my skin is so sensitive. I really like it--my arm pits don't itch and no rash.

[TLee4]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
Girl, go get yourself some Certain-Dri at the drugstore, or online at beauty.com. This is formerly prescription stuff now OTC and works wonders. Apply at night (roll-on) every night for a few days, then you only need it once a week or so. I have no idea why it works, but it does.


DH really likes this stuff as well. He never seems to be STINKY without it (I've never smelled B.O. on him at least!) but he sweats like a hog. He says this stuff really helps.

Terri

[hlao23]

I've heard that spraying a mix of vodka and water onto clothing will get rid of the B.O. smell. This is a tip I heard from theatre people who find costumes at antique/consignment shops.

[laden]

For any users of Certain-Dri, can you tell me if you also use a regular daily deodorant in addition to using the Certain-Dri at night?

[buffygirl]

DH also has this problem and he has found that 2 things help:

1) His degree of stinkiness is directly related to how much water he drinks, the more water he drinks, the less stinky he is. When he drinks 60-80 ounces per day he is virutally stink free:D

2) He keeps about 4 types of "extra strenght" ant-perspirent/deoderant in his rotation and rotates them every day. Much more effective than using the same on every day.

BK

[Chefzhat]

Originally posted by laden
For any users of Certain-Dri, can you tell me if you also use a regular daily deodorant in addition to using the Certain-Dri at night?

Nope. Just roll on Certain-Dri 3x per week during summer, 2x in winter.

[sal]

I use Certain-Dri prob 3x a week and use a regular roll-on on the off days, just in case. sally