Before you start
- Soap or body wash
- An antiperspirant or deodorant
- Clean, breathable clothes and socks
Method 1 Wash the right way
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Step 1: Shower daily
Shower or wash at least once a day, and after exercise or a hot day.
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Step 2: Focus on sweaty areas
Wash your armpits, groin, under the breasts, behind the ears, and your feet with soap or an antibacterial body wash. Use only water or a gentle, unscented wash on the external genital area.
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Step 3: Dry thoroughly
Bacteria thrive in damp skin. Dry every fold, and between your toes.
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Step 4: Manage underarm hair
Trimming or removing armpit hair can reduce odour, as hair traps sweat and bacteria.
Method 2 Use antiperspirant and deodorant correctly
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Step 1: Know the difference
Antiperspirants reduce sweating; deodorants mask or neutralise smell. Many products do both.
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Step 2: Apply at night
Apply antiperspirant to clean, completely dry underarms before bed. It works best overnight, when you sweat less, and lasts through the next day even after a morning shower.
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Step 3: Try a stronger product
If ordinary products don’t work, try a clinical-strength antiperspirant or one containing aluminium chloride, following the instructions.
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Step 4: Stop if it irritates
If you get a rash or itching, switch to a fragrance-free, sensitive-skin product.
Method 3 Choose and care for clothes
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Step 1: Wear breathable fabrics
Natural fibres like cotton, linen and wool, or moisture-wicking sportswear, let sweat evaporate. Many synthetic fabrics trap odour.
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Step 2: Change daily
Wear clean underwear, socks and shirts every day, and change after sweating.
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Step 3: Wash workout clothes quickly
Don’t leave sweaty clothes in a bag. Wash them inside out, and use a sports detergent or add laundry sanitiser if smells linger.
Method 4 Stop smelly feet
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Step 1: Wash and dry feet daily
Wash with soap, dry well (especially between the toes), and use foot powder if they get sweaty.
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Step 2: Wear the right socks
Choose cotton, wool or moisture-wicking socks, and change them daily or more often.
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Step 3: Rotate shoes
Let shoes dry for 24 hours between wears, use insoles you can wash or replace, and go barefoot or wear sandals when you can.
Method 5 Look at diet and lifestyle
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Step 1: Notice strong foods
Garlic, onions, curry spices, alcohol and some strong-smelling foods can affect body odour in some people.
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Step 2: Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water helps keep sweat less concentrated.
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Step 3: Manage stress
Stress sweat comes from glands that produce more odour. Breathing exercises and regular exercise help.
Troubleshooting
I still smell even after showering
Make sure you’re washing with soap and drying well, try an antibacterial body wash, and check your clothes: smells can stay in synthetic fabrics. Use antiperspirant at night.
My shirts have yellow underarm stains
Let antiperspirant dry before dressing, use less, and pre-treat stains with an enzyme stain remover before washing.
My shoes still smell
Wash or replace insoles, sprinkle baking soda inside overnight, and let shoes air-dry fully between wears.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to have body odour?
Yes. It usually starts at puberty, and everyone has some natural smell. Good hygiene keeps it under control.
Are natural deodorants effective?
They can mask odour but don’t reduce sweat. They suit people who sweat lightly.
Is antiperspirant safe?
Major health organisations have found no clear link between antiperspirants and cancer. Stop using any product that irritates your skin.
Summary
Shower daily and after exercise, washing your armpits, groin and feet with soap and drying well. Apply antiperspirant to dry skin at night, wear breathable fabrics, change clothes and socks daily, and rotate shoes. See a doctor if your smell changes suddenly or you sweat heavily for no reason.
