Body odor can feel like an unwanted guest who comes to visit and refuses to leave. It hovers around you, draws unwelcome attention and lingers on your clothing – even after you do the laundry.
Learning how to get rid of body odor may seem like a daunting task. But we’ve collected a list of 7 body odor remedies that are easier to implement than getting rid of guests who overstay their welcome.
If you want to figure out how to deal with body odor, first find the right deodorant or antiperspirant. There are oodles of options to suit your needs. Consider if you need a deodorant or antiperspirant? (Deodorant fights odor only; antiperspirant prevents sweat.) Do you prefer a gel, solid or spray? If you have sensitive skin, do you need an unscented or all natural product? Finding the right deodorant or antiperspirant can be a lengthy process. (So don’t despair if you are stuck in a trial-and-error loop for a while.)
Once you’ve found a reliable product, make sure you apply it correctly. Most experts say to apply antiperspirant to clean, dry underarms at night. This allows the skin to absorb the formula. Since most antiperspirants last at least 24 hours, you’ll be covered throughout your workday.
For best results, only use the recommended amount. There is no additional benefit to slathering your armpits with product. Also allow the product to completely dry before getting dressed. It does no good when it’s stuck to your clothing instead of your armpits.
The right deodorant is definitely one of the most important body odor remedies. But commercial products may leave you wanting. Or perhaps you prefer to find natural remedies for body odor. Either way, consider making your own deodorant.
It’s actually quite simple and doesn’t require a lab or any special equipment. In fact, you probably can find most of the ingredients in your pantry or bathroom medicine cabinet.
An easy way to start is by saturating a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar or witch hazel and liberally dab on your armpits. Another simple option is to mix equal amounts of baking soda and cornstarch, and pat the powder mixture on each armpit. (You can also make a paste by adding a small amount of water to the mixture.) These are just a few examples of deodorant alternatives.
There is no additional benefit slathering your armpits with deodorant.
Your armpits are not the only part of your body that generates odor. You should also consider your feet when trying to figure out how to fight body odor. Use these tips to ensure fresh-smelly feet.
There are a number of hygiene habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. A few include washing feet daily with an antibacterial or anti-fungal soap; exfoliate your feet weekly to remove dead skin; and apply antiperspirant to your feet to prevent (or reduce) sweating.
For the most part, sweaty feet = stinky feet. The sweat on your feet mixes with the bacteria on your skin to create a foul smell. This is compounded when your shoes don’t have time to dry out before you wear them again. Shoving wadded up newspaper in your shoes after your long day will help since the newspaper absorbs moisture.
In addition to dry shoes, make sure your socks are keeping your feet dry. Look for socks that are breathable, wick moisture and provide odor control, like Ejis dress socks (buy in our shop).
While no one really knows how to cure body odor permanently, a great place to start is establishing a daily hygiene routine.
We all know that a daily shower (or bath) is essential to proper hygiene. But if you can smell yourself after your morning commute, you may not be using the best soap to combat BO. Look for a soap or shower gel specifically designed to fight body odor. There are antibacterial products available that wash away grime and wipe out odor-causing bacteria on your skin.
Underarm hair itself doesn’t cause BO. But there several reasons why shaving or trimming your armpit hair is an effective body odor treatment. When we sweat, fluids get trapped in our armpit hair and tango with bacteria to create smelly pits. To prevent this sweat trap, shave your armpits regularly so sweat can easily evaporate. Another reason to shave underarm hair is to ensure your deodorant or antiperspirant has direct contact with your skin, making it more effective.
Believe it or not, your clothes contribute to the way you smell. The type of clothing and the way it is laundered can greatly improve your body odor.
Clothing made from natural fibers tend to be breathable, which allows sweat to evaporate. Natural fibers, like cotton, also don’t retain odor like synthetics.
Wear undergarments designed to fight odor, like Ejis basics. The fabric fibers used to make Ejis undershirts, boxer briefs and dress socks (buy in our shop or on Amazon) are permanently infused with real silver that fights odor-causing bacteria.
Fabric softener may actually trap odor-causing bacteria in your clothing.
Make sure you launder your clothes properly so they come out of the wash smelling clean and fresh.
As good as it smells going into the wash, fabric softener may actually trap odor-causing bacteria in your clothing. It can also adversely affect the moisture-wicking properties of certain fabrics, which in turn, traps sweat (and odor) in your clothes.
Immediately wash clothing if it reeks of odor or is damp from sweat. If you don’t have time to start a new load, allow stinky and sweaty clothing to air out before throwing into the laundry basket.
If you have clothes that smell even after washing, don’t fret! You can treat them for odor by adding 1 cup of baking soda in addition to your regular laundry detergent to extract the smell from clothing.
While deodorant, good hygiene and laundering are all effective, consider how to eliminate body odor internally. As it happens, foods and beverages can cause body odor.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussel sprouts that contain sulfur are culprits in contributing to body odor. Likewise, beef and pork contain amino acids that may also cause body odor. Alcohol, when consumed in excess, can seep out through your skin.
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to learn how get rid of body odor. There are plenty of body odor remedies, many of which call for a simple change in routine. By following these guidelines, you’ll soon be freed from your unwelcome guest and all of the chaos he brings.
You'll also want to amp up your body odor protection by wearing Ejis basics (buy in our shop or on Amazon) – from your shoulders to your toes. The silver embedded in every fiber fights odor-causing bacteria so you stay fresh all day.