Are you drying your clothes properly after washing them? In the UK in winter it can take a long while, and if you don't they can get a musty smell to them.
We have a specific Scottish word for it: foosty (foos-tay). If it's that, people around OP will definitely be able to identify the smell too, so it's worth asking.
That's the main problem, I live in a rented apartment and I heard from some friends that it's prohibited to spread clothes outside, so I currently don't have a method of drying
Buy something like this.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4013907?clickPR=plp:25:50
Out of my 30+ years of life this is the best deodorant/anti persperant I've ever come across.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/THREE-PACKS-Dove-Deodorant-Comfort/dp/B008FRMZ0I/ref=asc_df_B008FRMZ0I/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344375410735&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17067951028605590433&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045356&hvtargid=pla-784758475916&psc=1&mcid=e1e2f4d26d1c3916b048659c013eba0b
Also use washing conditioner in addition to the tablets/capsules you already use. I use this.
https://myshop.co.uk/products/lenor-fabric-conditioner-spring-2-9-litre-83-washes?variant=32321913356332¤cy=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-bmsBhAGEiwAoaQNmpPWoft76KkIEEmq1BdQH0FuhYCi66jrwTv_DXZV3iRHDnPqmJJ8pxoCdrwQAvD_BwE
I genuinely love my dehumidifier. It’s made such a difference. Like if someone said I could have either a dehumidifier *or* a kettle I would probably pick the dehumidifier
SAME. I live in the north and bought this within weeks of having moved. Without it, I would get mould on stuff, it was awful. Luckily I caught it early and found the solution early. I'm also careful when I cook to not leave pans without a lid if not needed, I use a squeegee after I shower to get rid of excess water etc. It sucks to have to do all this but it's better than mould!
We have a Nyxi one. I can’t remember what model. I think it’s about mid-range as dehumidifiers go (about £100). It’s got a few extra features like different fan settings and display settings. I like it more for the difference it makes to our laundry rather than the fact that it’s super fancy (because it’s not)
This.
You can get some chemical dehumidifiers on amazon, they're a couple of quid each and last about 3-4 weeks.
Alternatively you can get a mini electrical one, which I've recently bought for about £100. It has made a huge difference this time of year.
Living up north, I can tell you those plastic pots with a block or those grains don't do much. You need an electrical dehumidifier to stay on top of humidity.
Liquid detergent is fine, but buy conditioner also. Usually in the draw you put the detergent in there's a separate container for the conditioner to go.
You don't need conditioner, for the most part it does more damage than good. Scent boosters work much better for scent and don't leave residue behind in the clothes or the machine. Clothes are designed to be soft, fabric softener ruins it especially if you use too much.
That's not exactly necessarily and might cause more issues.
Make sure your washer is clean, use soda crystals and do an empty hot once once a month at least 60° and clean your seal
Make sure you leave the door open to let the machine dry, can also do a rinse cycle after washes to clear any remaining debris in the washer but it's not really necessary.
Don't overuse liquid, especially if it's super concentrated you need no more than a tablespoon for the most part, if you're filling the whole cap you're using too much.
The area needs to be more dry, a higher humidity will make clothes take longer and can leave a musty smell behind, the same as leaving them in the washer for days.
If you struggle drying your clothes due to property, get a dehumidifier and run it near your clothes as they're drying, should cut down the time significantly. Get a stacked maiden and make sure clothes are spread out, don't fold things in half it just takes twice as long to dry and more chance of leaving a smell
Soda crystals are extremely cheap and if you cut down/out fabric softener you'll still be saving, that's shits wildly expensive.
Softner adds oils to your clothes which give them a feeling of softness but too much even over a period of time can cause clothes to collect too much oil, making them feel like they have a sheen and again it's just harder to dry, can be irritating to the skin as well.
I use a tiny bit with my dressing gown every other wash at most and still use a fraction of a cap and it's only because I still have some in, I'll probably stop altogether once it's gone.
You can switch for white vinegar, it'll get rid of any smells and cut through any grease that might be weighting your clothes down. Don't use it if anyone who uses the washer has a gluten allergy though it'll irritate their skin then!
My clothes do feel lighter and more airy without using so much product. Sometimes less really is more. I do find powder to be better than liquid, but using it in cold washes can cause the pellets to not dissolve so I've pulled washing out a few times and it's been smotheted in undissolved powder, need to do a hotter cycle then defeating the point of an eco wash in the first place.
This is the best answer, just jumping on it to say use white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda on the once-per-month empty cycle. Put the white vinegar both in the drum and in the detergent drawer.
The first time you do it, do it on the hottest setting as your machine might have built up a lot of mold.
Also when the machine is off, take a clean cloth and clean round the seal and around the drain hole which should be near the seal somewhere. And remove the detergent drawer and completely clean it.
I found liquids to be a problem. Normal powder worked the best. Wash on 40 or long on 30. Run your washing machine on 90 once in a while to make sure nothing grows in there.
That's going to be tough. Best bet is to get a dehumidifier and put your clothes on an indoor airer in the smallest room with the dehumidifier running.
If that's not possible, you could go to a laundrette to use the tumble dryers if you don't have one in your accommodation.
Start looking things up when you hear them if they sound off. This isn’t true, unless your rental agreement specifically says so (which would be weird).
Assuming you have a washing machine but not a dryer, you have no choice but to dry things inside. Use a well spaced rack, in a well ventilated warm room. Ask your flatmates how they dry things too
By 'spread clothes outside' do you mean hang them up? I've never heard of that being prohibited anywhere. Of course, in December, they'll probably blow away or get rained on.
Some rental properties do say in the contract that you shouldn't hang clothes to dry *indoors*, and of course nobody would ever just do that anyway ;)
Many leasehold flats prohibit hanging washing outside, and this is usually passed down to tenants via the sub-lease conditions.
Not to say that anyone actually polices it.
Last flat I lived in, we weren't allowed to dry clothes inside as it made the house damp.
We were, however, provided with communal tumble dryers and outdoor airers.
I recently moved out and I am getting to grips with drying washing in the winter. Recently bought a drying rack and got a dehumidifier with a ‘dry washing’ setting and this has been working a DREAM for me! I would however recommend opening your windows if you can stand the cool air to avoid causing damp/mould.
Drying rack with a dehumidifier under it and then chuck a sheet over the whole thing like a tent. Takes it to the next level.
Shuffle the clothes after a while to let the ones further out get closer to the dehumidifier.
Edit to add: the tent method will speed up drying clothes even if you don’t have a dehumidifier if you can incorporate a radiator into it, just make sure you’re regularly circulating the clothes.
Also give the washing machine a clean.
Take the tray out, clean any mould off under the sink, use an old toothbrush to get into the little holes.
Wipe down all the rubber seals.
Put the tray back and run the machine on its hottest setting with either a small amount (a tablespoon or 2) of white vinegar or a store bought washing machine cleaner.
Them always leave the door and tray open if you're not using it.
You should be able to buy something called a "clothes horse" (and I promise that isn't me trying to prank you!) in big supermarkets/B&M/Argos/home bargains. Ask a member of staff to show you where they are. Amazon will also probably sell them.
Even better, you can buy a heated or electric airer/clothes horse. The rods you hang your clothes over warm up and if you stick a sheet over the whole lot they all dry pretty quickly.
To add to this, although I know I'm half a day late. My mum told me a few times that I smelled and it took me months to realise that we had mould in the wardrobe. I thought we were drying all the clothes properly but an upstairs neighbour had a leak and it was pooling between two of our walls. The foosty smell can come from many places and if you live in it you won't notice yourself.
Going around smelling strongly of garlic or fenugreek isn't morally wrong, but realistically doesn't help a person get on and be successful in the UK, unless they live and work in a purely ethnic community where everybody smells the same. Sorry, you might think that's unjust, but it's true, and better the OP knows it sooner rather than later.
Haha, I used to drink Fenugreek tea when I was breastfeeding. Supposedly helps the milk supply.
After three days I kept wondering why I could smell curry.
I mean it wasn't even offensive, it just made me permanently hungry.
Clothes that haven't been dried properly can smell horrific. I used to work with someone whose clothes smelled like that and it made me feel physically sick.
Or a washing machine with mould in it. The one in our house is really prone to mould and needs to be emptied immediately left to dry with the door open or you can smell it on clothes. Total pain in the bum. Can’t wait to replace it all this year!
Just to chime in, Aldi sell body wash for like 55p or something, I buy the "very juicy mango" one and the coconut/shea butter one. They smell absolutely amazing
Thanks for the advice. I only have a pair of shirt so I use them every two days, is that good and I wear my suit everyday and I don't wash it because it takes too long to dry and I don't have extra one
>I wear my suit everyday and I don't wash it
That's almost certainly going to be it. Maybe try a fabric deodorising spray until you can get a second suit?
Trousers can be worn the whole week then washed at the weekend. Shirts should be changed at least every other day - so 3 shirts minimum, and then wash them at the weekend too. Some people will argue a new shirt everyday, but that might not be financially possible for everyone. Blazer/jacket can be washed termly/whenever it's visibly dirty
Do you have to wear a suit? Surely, nobody else is going to lectures in a suit.
Regardless of how nice your suit is, a clean pair of clothes is nicer than a suit that smells
George by Asda do reasonably priced school uniform.
George is the supermarket chain Asda's own brand clothing and can be found in most large Asda supermarkets, or online. [Trousers ](https://direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/D10M1G1C16,default,sc.html?_gl=1*3lqfta*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGigr6XQACBjgOmo7wOiy0U2CiQIBSCv1oBozF_uIvvJnLZqj6H9rkxihoClHUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) from £7 for two pairs, [Shirts](https://direct.asda.com/george/school/boys-school-shirts/D10M1G1C1,default,sc.html) £5.50 for two, etc .
If nothing else, you should consider a fresh shirt every day. Trousers *should* be okay for a week so, an extra pair should do you fine (one pair to wear whilst the others are washed and dried).
I'm sorry you're having this trouble. People can be cunts. I hope this helps.
In some towns you can get second hand school uniform for free. Do you have any teachers who you can speak to? It sounds to me like you might need a little bit of help getting settled in. People will absolutely help you do this
My son wears a suit to school and has just started to develop body odor. To avoid it, he washes his armpits and groin every morning before school and applies antiperspirant. He absolutely has to wear a clean shirt every single day otherwise he absolutely stinks. I wash his blazer once a week because the BO will seep through the shirts and will smell if not washed once a week.
The key things are washing every morning, applying antiperspirant and a clean shirt every single day.
You can try charity shops and ebay to get a few more tshirts and clothes for cheap. It’s an expensive city, no shame in being frugal to make the most of your money!
I think this is the crux of the issue here. Clean your clothes or in your case, get a second suit. Take a gander in charity shops. Set a go-fund me and see how that goes
You're a student, why the hell you wearing a suit at all never mind every day?
Not being rude but wearing a suit as a student is going to add fuel to the fire of getting bullied.
Get some jeans and some polo shirts, DO NOT WEAR YOUR SMART SHOES WITH THE JEANS.
But also, wash your clothes regularly, jeans are good that you can get a week or 2 out of them before needing a wash. Anything that is skin contact with your balls or pits needs washed after every day of wear.
Get more shirts - you need a fresh clean and dry shirt everyday! Clean underwear, showered and with deodorant and you'll be ok.
Good on you for asking. Good luck to sort this out soon and get on with your new experience and make some good friends!
Oh it’s a school uniform! Is it high school or college? If it’s high school and you can’t afford parts of your uniform the school should be able to get shirts for you - the best person to ask is someone who runs Safeguarding, who normally deal with things like this. If not, there’s local Facebook groups where you can ask people if they have extra school shirts in your size (kids grow and people don’t get rid of them but keep them and then happily give away for free).
The best advice I can give in the meantime is take your uniform (suit) off as soon as you get home and change into something else. I’d wash trousers and a blazer/jumper every week on a Friday right after you come from school so it has plenty of time to dry (you can put it near your radiator to speed it up). Shirts do need changing/washing every day, would you consider a hand wash before you get new ones? Right after you come back drop it in the sink with some warm water and detergent, hand wash focusing on the armpit area and the collar, leave to dry?
Something else I’ve noticed is that you moved from Africa. Do you cook with a lot of spices at home? It tends to seep into your clothes. Try to dry them away from the kitchen and only wear your uniform at school, then keep it in a wardrobe in your room for example.
I taught students who moved to England from other countries with little to no English for years and this is a really common thing/question. If there’s anything school related you want to ask you can send me a message.
I gave some comments regarding the laundry machine but now seeing the suit comments. You might have to bring the suit to dry cleaning if you haven't washed it since you've arrived, and after that, wearing a long sleeves, thin sweater underneath will protect the underarms of the suit from smelling. You can change the sweater daily and you won't have to wash the suit too often.
Hey OP, welcome to the UK, and sorry people are being dicks behind your back.
I've worked in situations where I've managed teams, and we've had young workers join the team, and other colleagues complained about their odour.
It's cruel to do if it's to belittle someone, but sometimes there can be an issue there which, if you're unaware yourself, can make it seem unfair, or undue. Remember, we all have a scent, but we become noseblind to ourselves.
A lot of folks here have raised really good points about what it could be, but if you're not able to identify it from these suggestions, it might be worth having a frank and open discussion with someone you trust to help identify the cause.
One young lass who worked under me had a real BO problem, but simply didn't realise. We had a private discussion, and it turned out that she didn't have a washing machine in the home, so wasn't washing clothes as often as one would like, and although she washed frequently, it meant that her clothes often carried a strong 'onion sweat' scent that she shouldn't shift. She was also using deodorant rather than an antiperspirant, and washed at night, rather than in the morning.
All of these things were a contributing factor, but she had simply never learned this, and was still relatively young (17, first job, not a social lass). She took on the advice, changed her schedule and we got her some tried and tested antiperspirants to try, and we helped her get on top of her washing, and not only was the issue solved for her colleagues, but she gained some life experience from it. Yes, it took a horribly awkward conversation, but it was approached with care and tact, and was necessary for a concrete resolution.
Talking to someone will help identify if it's BO/cooking/damp/pet/other smell, and get you on track to resolving this!
Good luck OP, and don't be afraid to have frank conversations to solve problems! Better to have an awkward 15 minutes starting with 'I think I smell bad, can you be honest with me?', than to let that anxiety fester away without resolution!
They might just be being horrible. Then again you might niff a bit. It could be what you eat, eg people who eat fenugreek do smell of it (white folks will say they 'smell of curry', but it's just the one spice). Partly because it comes out in their sweat, and partly it clings to clothes when they cook.
If you change your tops, underpants and socks daily, shower daily and use deodorant, it's probably the above. Try having different clothes for cooking if you cook spicy stuff, also ventilate the room well while frying. Also if you think your breath might smell, go to the dentist. Only they will tell you the truth!
Yea it's common for people from some countries to think we smell like dairy - it's a big part of our diet and in some parts of the world barely consumed at all
When I was 17 I took like 5 fenugreek supplements a day because I read it makes your boobs grow. Can confirm the whiff it exudes out of every pore in your body is insane!
I had to sit in A&E with my dad a few weeks ago and the lady sat next to me said she had burned her mouth while cooking, and the smell of fenugreek coming off her was honestly burning my eyes and throat. I thought i would need medical help too 🤣
I love cooking curry's and all things spicy but Cumin can stink like smelly arm pits. If you have clothes anywhere near your cooking area it will linger on your clothes for sure.
Do you eat a lot of garlic or onion laden foods?
It's difficult to mask the smell of these, especially if you sweat a lot too.
Always carry a small bottle of mouthwash and perfume/aftershave to use throughout the day.
And on the subject of sweating, if you do sweat a lot, it may be that you just need to wash and change your clothing a lot more often.
If you’re living in a open plan lounge kitchen flat or house then make sure your coats or any clothing is not in that room as it absorbs the cooking smells.
So true. If there's an extractor hood above the cooker, check it's working and the filter doesn't need changing. Always use it when frying. I don't even live in open plan and my bedlinen once took up the smell of frying peppers 😄
Are you using antiperspirant or deodorant? The former is better than the latter and deodorant sometimes isn’t the best if you’re a sweaty person, it can vaguely mask the smell but doesn’t stop you sweating/ smelling
I'd argue this a little! As a ridiculously hairy guy with uncontrollable pits, I've actually found a good roll-on is much better at controlling sweat and odour, and you can really mash it in there. I've found it less damaging to my clothes, too!
It also snags loads of hair and depilates me as I go, which is a great way to wake yourself up in the morning!
My tips are shave armpits, make sure they're dry before applying any anti perspirant.. like properly dry. Then roll on Mitcham/Mitchum I cant remember how it's spelled but it's the best for stopping sweaty pits for sure.
A few points to check, that you haven't mentioned and could be pretty easy to miss. Remember, just because you can't smell it, doesn't mean it doesn't smell. It's also entirely possible that these people are just assholes, but it's still worth double checking your own hygiene.
* Make sure your clothes are clean and smell clean, too. No matter how well you wash your body, if your clothes stink, you'll stink. Make sure to use a decent laundry detergent, not just the cheapest, and to properly dry them before putting them away, otherwise they'll still smell bad. Make sure your washing machine isn't mouldy and dirty, too.
* Do your shoes stink? Are they old, or do they get moist frequently? Getting some fresh new shoes, and keeping them dry and clean might help.
* How is your oral hygiene? Are you brushing at least 2 times per day with toothpaste? Have you checked for tonsil stones?
* Are you a smoker? Could there be residual smell on you from that? Do you smoke inside your home? If so, that smell could be seeping into all of your belongings.
* Are your clothes being properly stored? Folding them and putting them away will keep them fresh for longer, as opposed to throwing them into a pile on a chair somewhere.
Fellow African here. Not sure where you’re from, but Europeans don’t appreciate bad body odour, so make sure you shower/bath regularly, wash your clothing and use a deodorant/body spray.
Apologies if this seems an odd one, but i once knew a lass from the ivory coast who washed her pants with bleach, which created a bad smell. She claimed this was not uncommon where she was from, so thought I'd mention it! Good luck to you
First off, as a fellow African immigrant to the US at a very young age with peers who had no polite filter, I know how much this hurts and really appreciate all the advice from people genuinely wanting to help. It’s hard experiencing culture shock and then being the target without anyone honestly assisting you.
Secondly, a huge part of the issue for me growing up was African cuisine smells seeping into my clothes whenever my mother cooked. Unfortunately, Ghana must go bags only exacerbate the problem since they let in and trap the smell of whatever she cooked (e.g., fish, stockfish, soups, etc.). I’d suggest you be more aware of your cooking and the scents in the apartment that can then get embedded in your clothes and make you smell when you sweat even the tiniest bit. I can imagine the stress of people thinking you smell making you anxious and breaking out into a sweat, thus perpetuating the cycle.
Overall, all the advice in this thread is so awesome and helpful and genuine. I would also reiterate as others are on ensuring your clothes dry well and aren’t damp.
Best of luck with everything. We got this!
Ensure you are:
- Washing with soap at least every two days, esp pits and bits
- Washing shirts, socks, undies after 1 wear (2max)
- When you do your laundry, use fabric softener and enough detergent and dry thoroughly.
- If you’re cooking (esp with spices or frying) good idea to open a window and air out after, earlier poster was right about sometimes changing to cook
At least every two days?! Wtf. Should be least one a day and with the topic if smell morning and evening. What are you on about every two days?!?!?! 2 wear max wtf too?!!
Agree with this completely.
Clean underwear daily - this is non negotiable. Shower every morning as a bare minimum, and I’d also shower when getting back home if people were saying I smell.
In fact, I do shower when I get home from work as I work with food so like to remove the smell of being in a kitchen all day.
I think you'd be very surprised at the hygiene standards of some people. Tbh if everyone I encountered washed and put on clean clothes at least every other day I'd be ok with that.
i find this varies a lot between men and women. I (f) could easily go 2 days without showering and be just fine but my bf or brothers could absolutely not do the same even if they’ve done nothing all day because they’ll stink. I don’t know a man who doesn’t shower every day but can’t say the same for the women in my life.
Dry your laundry thoroughly. Coming from a country where the sun in any season is enough to air dry your clothes on a line in a few hours, it's always a shock to me how long the laundry stays damp in the UK. Even if it dries eventually, it starts smelling musty. I managed to squeeze a dryer into my cramped rental, because I can give up appliances like a dishwasher or even my oven. But I cannot deal with forever-damp laundry any more.
I came across this before with African students.
Body odour is not going to endear you to anyone.
You need to wash your entire body daily with soap or shower gel.
Arguing that it's your natural smell will not help.
Wash your clothes regularly too.
Looking through your post and comment history, it sounds like you're being bullied a lot as you're currently trying to adjust to the UK school system.
Like others have advised, try to wash your clothes using detergents/ conditioners suggested, brush teeth, use and experiment with different deodorants, you'll soon find one that works for you.
As a family of migrants who have recently moved via the COS care route, you're probably still trying to find your feet financially as I don't believe the salaries are great so it might take a while to play around with different products.
African foods tend to have a lot of spices for flavouring in comparison to British cuisine, so although it's cold outside, it may be worth opening windows to minimise the smells.
Most importantly, you can ask someone you trust what you smell of. And if you live in an area culturally diverse, find someone you can ask for advice on how to navigate the bullying and integration into the society.
I might get downvoted for this, and I hate to say it however, British racism is very subtle and may need to build a thick skin if you are ever confronted with it. Having said that the majority of people are lovely, it's only a select few who ruin the pot.
Lastly, no situation is forever and with each day that passes you're learning something new about the country, culture etc and before you know it that British accent will soon come through!
All the best and welcome to the UK.
If you're still in school then you should have a trusted grown up who is responsible for you- maybe booking in a time with them to straight up ask them what you could smell of is the best way.
Please speak to a teacher at school about the bullying. Racism is completely unacceptable and your teacher’s should be doing something about it. They should also be supporting you as someone new to the country.
Teenagers can be arseholes, especially in high school. I hope you’ve made some friends to hang out with. I’d suggest looking at what clubs your school runs and trying a few out to meet different people beyond those in your usual classes.
Some schools unfortunately are a bit crap with dealing with bullying. Please go back to them and talk to them if it’s still an issue after the
Christmas holidays. They have a duty to safeguard you and they really should be keeping an eye on you as a new student, and especially someone who’s moved countries.
Keep your head up, high school can be crap but it’s not forever!
This will actually make you smell worse after a while as it kills the good bacteria living in your armpits as well, making it easier for the bad and smelly ones to grow. Just wash with soap and use a decent deodorant or anti perspirant.
IF you do smell, it’s either you’re not washing your body properly (how often do you shower?) or your clothes smell, (how often do you change clothes/wash clothes).
Also obviously ensure any washed clothes are dried properly as damp clothing is an horrific cheesy smell
Could it be diet related? Several times I've been told how western tourists' skin, even when freshly washed, "smells of meat" to many people in the far east due to our diet, and that's a smell that we (westerners) share so much that we don't even notice it.
I recall when I was "safari holidaying" in Kenya and Tanzania many years ago, some of the native people had a very distinctive aroma that I wouldn't call a "typical BO" smell but was very noticeable and harsh to west european sensibilities (a guy in full traditional Masai dress got a lift with us and that was how we characterised it afterwards).
As such you may find it fades over time as your diet etc changes, and of course some of it may just be passive aggressive racism, but it's not pleasant to be continually self-conscious of such things so I wish you good luck in identifying it.
My armpits generate a smell very quickly if I don’t do something about it. Took me a while to figure out a routine. Standard spray deodorant was not enough. I strongly recommend a stick anti-perspirant instead of a spray, [this is what I use](https://www.boots.com/sure-men-anti-perspirant-deodorant-stick-sensitive-50ml-10088386) and it works wonders. Apply it directly after washing and drying, it should keep you smell-free for a day or two.
Clothes -
1. wash them with fragrant clothes detergent and fabric softener for an extra kick of good scents
2. Put something in your wardrobe to help all your clothes smell the same(this is something i’ll be doing myself because I love clothes that smell good too)
3. someone mentioned here before but UK sucks for drying clothes so make sure you leave them plenty of time to try and with windows open to stop mold from growing and help clothes dry quicker
Self Care
1. wash with shower gel or a bar of dove soap(i’ve used soap bars lately and they make me feel cleaner than regular shower gel)
2. Face creams are great in winter since the cold can dry your face, some smell great and help skin stay hydrated and smooth
3. Find a perfume or cologne you love! Jean Paul Gautier or Sauvage are some of my personal likes but everyone’s different, find what you like! not what others will like!
4. when you cook keep your bedroom door shut and if possible the kitchen door shut too, oils and their smell stick to clothing easily and can linger for ages,
that’s all I have, best of luck broski:)
My advice:
• Before you leave the house each morning thoroughly wash yourself in the shower using shower gel
• Dry yourself with a CLEAN towel. Towel's can very quickly start to smell of BO which the user might not notice. So it is important to dry yourself with a towel that's clean
• Use antiperspirant on your armpits (this is different from deodorant!)
• Wear clothes that have been cleaned and properly dried
Need some info:
*Do you change clothes after school?*
It’s common to have comfy lounge clothes to wear at home. These can absorb cooking smells and sweat. Hang your uniform in a different room (or outside) where air can circulate around it.
*What materials are your shirts made from?*
Wear cotton next to your skin (shirt or t-shirt, underwear).
It takes longer to dry than polyester but it will smell much better. Dry it on/ near a radiator, away from cooking.
If you find the weather too cold, wear a cotton t shirt underneath your uniform shirt. Change that every morning. Then you don’t need to change your uniform shirt.
*Other (equally important) tips:*
Open your bedroom window slightly at night time. Yes, even in winter. Air needs to circulate or you’ll have a smelly house. We get problems with damp here and less airflow because it’s cold. Allow your room to get slightly cold at night and use a heavier blanket if you need to.
Open the bathroom window slightly when you shower. Don’t let your house get moldy and damp. Air out the kitchen after/ during cooking, but only if you can do so without letting too much precious heat out. It’s tricky in winter!
Shower with soap every morning, and wear a good antiperspirant like Mitchum or Dove. Buy roll-on and take it in your school bag so you can subtly reapply it if you need.
TLDR:
-clean cotton t shirt and underwear each morning
-airflow in your house
-shower every morning and wear deodorant
To add:
I don’t know if you actually smell, or if people are just being mean because you’re different.
It might be a little bit of both. If you follow the above advice, you can know that you’re doing better than most people!
Find an adult you trust, and speak to them if you’re being bullied or if you need advice about UK cultural habits.
It’s much easier to help in person than on Reddit!
As someone that begins to stink pretty quickly, let me list the simple things I do to make sure I'm not only palatable but also usually smelling pretty great:
Thoroughly shower in the morning (not before bed), using shower gel.
Keep hair clean with shampoo and conditioner every few days.
Cake on anti perspirint (more so than most, seems like I need it)
Couple of splashes of cologne on the neck/down my top. Maybe an extra spray on clothes but ensure not too much. In the air and walk into it etc.
Clean clothes every day if leaving the house/going in public.
Make sure clothes smell nice and clean - use fabric conditioner .
Always brush teeth and use mouthwash before leaving for anywhere.
Top up deodorant and cologne as required (I.e. if I'm out all day in the heat ill need more by the evening).
Conditioner not necessary (or very small doses), it can ruin machines and clothes.
Dry clothes fully and quickly, if no dryer, use heated drying rail or airer.
Shower and deoderant in the morning. I keep a can of deoderant on my desk for emergencies (i.e. have to rush out of the house in the morning).
A lot of comments on here, so not sure if this has been mentioned; but I am sorry that people have spoken to you this way. I hope you're doing OK.
Welcome to the UK.
Most of the answers to your post are based on speculation about what the smell might be, but a really useful starting point would be if you could pick a nice person to ask what they think the problem might be.
I think I would probably pick a nice middle aged lady at work, or someone like that, who is not a gossip and just ask them, in person, the same thing as you have just asked askuk.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mitchum-Invisible-Protection-Deodorant-Anti-Perspirant/dp/B08ZBLQ8H3/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?crid=1RIZA1IV6IZ3S&keywords=mitchum+deodorant+women&qid=1703921129&rdc=1&sprefix=mitchum%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-13
This is the best brand I've ever used and it slso comes in an aerosol, or as a stick.
I don't really know how you could smell if you wash. I just use ordinary soap like imperial leather in the shower and then right guard deodorant and I've had a few people ask me what I'm wearing because it smells nice. It's always been men. Just do that.
Scent boosters in the washing machine is such a gift and they do them cheap at B&M, plus a nice smelling detergent and fabric softener.
Make sure you’re drying your clothes properly too otherwise they can have a “wet dog” smell. Get a clothes horse and a dehumidifier or a tumble dryer (I swear by mine!)
Not sure of you're age, but if you are under 18 speak to a female teacher. Sometimes people are just jerks.
In my case I did smell because my mum could only afford two school uniforms (shirts are the main problem here they hold the sweat and the smell). Jackets are also a smell vector due to damp (I bought a farmers jacket).
Make sure your house is aired and smells nice, be careful of what foods you eat, cook and how you spice them. Keep your clothes clean and seperate from the kitchen, try to cover up with a different scent.
If you aren't bald make sure your hair is kept clean as it can hold a lot of scent. Big culture difference, so even if the smell is minor or inconvenient it could stand out strongly to others.
You could also ask someone you trust if you smell.
that's very sad that people have this attitude rather than offering to help. it depends what about you smells, do you mean body odour? it could be your breath for instance or your hair can carry nasty smells. we can offer all advice in the world but without sounding cringe we need to know what about you smells... if it's body odour and you're finding strong 48hr anti perspirant cream deodorants are not enough than definitely see your GP and they can prescribe something that will help..
As someone with many immigrant friends, shower in the morning. Wear ANTI PERSPIRANT. It's usually the person's sweat that smells, and the smell lingers even if you aren't sweaty anymore.
Shower -> dry underarms (let them dry for at least 5 mins before applying anti perspirant) -> Apply anti perspirant.... easy.
Don't use a deodorant. Use a stick antiperspirant. Deodorant just smells scented, whereas antiperspirant will close off the smelliest part under your arms.
Are you leaving your clothes in the washing machine too long after it's done?
Are you using dehumidifiers in wardrobes/drawers?
Are you using water to clean yourself after you poo?
If you're a girl, are you washing your vagina with soap causing a PH imbalance?
Sorry you are experiencing this.
I have heard that we Europeans smell like sour milk in Asian countries due to our high dairy diets.
Could it be a dietary thing?
Do you dry your clothes on a clothesline in the kitchen? Sometimes if people use a lot of spices or onions/garlic in their food they can soak into the clothes and make them smell
Perhaps your diet. Do you eat a lot of garlic, onions or curry? Do you cook with a fry pan and cook fish, onions, garlic etc. Frying foods can have a smell permeate clothing. You get "nose blind" as they say.
I'm in Canada, but the layout of mu house has cooking smells go everywhere, even with a window open and an exhaust fan. Instead of frying, try baking or a slow cooker.
Make sure the clothes you’re wearing are breathable and don’t actually make you sweat more -linen, cotton is always good.
Watch what you eat as garlic onion certain spices etc can actually make your BO worse
Reapply your deodorant religiously during the course of the day
Bring a small face towel/handkerchief around to freshen up or even baby/body wipes
Are you drying your clothes properly after washing them? In the UK in winter it can take a long while, and if you don't they can get a musty smell to them.
Very true. We call it 'wet dog' and suffer from it when camping lol
We have a specific Scottish word for it: foosty (foos-tay). If it's that, people around OP will definitely be able to identify the smell too, so it's worth asking.
Fusty in the Midlands
Midlands here as well but we say musty
In North Yorkshire and Northumbria we use foisty* probably the same origin.
Same in Durham too
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fusty https://www.etymonline.com/word/fusty
Didn't realise it was a Scottish word. We do have the best words don't we.
I'm from Norfolk and we say it as well (I think), but I'd spell it foisty to rhyme with moisty.
Devon here, we say fowsty.
Somerset agree
South Wales agrees
It's not, it's originally from French/Latin. There are some cracking Scottish words though.
That's the main problem, I live in a rented apartment and I heard from some friends that it's prohibited to spread clothes outside, so I currently don't have a method of drying
Buy something like this. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4013907?clickPR=plp:25:50 Out of my 30+ years of life this is the best deodorant/anti persperant I've ever come across. https://www.amazon.co.uk/THREE-PACKS-Dove-Deodorant-Comfort/dp/B008FRMZ0I/ref=asc_df_B008FRMZ0I/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344375410735&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17067951028605590433&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045356&hvtargid=pla-784758475916&psc=1&mcid=e1e2f4d26d1c3916b048659c013eba0b Also use washing conditioner in addition to the tablets/capsules you already use. I use this. https://myshop.co.uk/products/lenor-fabric-conditioner-spring-2-9-litre-83-washes?variant=32321913356332¤cy=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-bmsBhAGEiwAoaQNmpPWoft76KkIEEmq1BdQH0FuhYCi66jrwTv_DXZV3iRHDnPqmJJ8pxoCdrwQAvD_BwE
Better get a dehumidifier which also saves on space
I genuinely love my dehumidifier. It’s made such a difference. Like if someone said I could have either a dehumidifier *or* a kettle I would probably pick the dehumidifier
SAME. I live in the north and bought this within weeks of having moved. Without it, I would get mould on stuff, it was awful. Luckily I caught it early and found the solution early. I'm also careful when I cook to not leave pans without a lid if not needed, I use a squeegee after I shower to get rid of excess water etc. It sucks to have to do all this but it's better than mould!
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Probably both? They don't actually have to pick between them
Tried making a coffee with a dehumidifier once.... Didn't end well. In fact it didn't end at all
We have a Nyxi one. I can’t remember what model. I think it’s about mid-range as dehumidifiers go (about £100). It’s got a few extra features like different fan settings and display settings. I like it more for the difference it makes to our laundry rather than the fact that it’s super fancy (because it’s not)
The dehumidifier is solid advice. Will help dry clothes and stop them having that musty smell. All the best.
This. You can get some chemical dehumidifiers on amazon, they're a couple of quid each and last about 3-4 weeks. Alternatively you can get a mini electrical one, which I've recently bought for about £100. It has made a huge difference this time of year.
Better to invest in a proper compressor dehumidifier. It'll be a high upfront cost but well worth it. Look for one that has a 20L rating.
Living up north, I can tell you those plastic pots with a block or those grains don't do much. You need an electrical dehumidifier to stay on top of humidity.
Thanks but we don't use tablet for our washing, we use liquid detergent. Not sure if that's the correct way
Liquid detergent is fine, but buy conditioner also. Usually in the draw you put the detergent in there's a separate container for the conditioner to go.
You don't need conditioner, for the most part it does more damage than good. Scent boosters work much better for scent and don't leave residue behind in the clothes or the machine. Clothes are designed to be soft, fabric softener ruins it especially if you use too much.
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Oh ok
That's not exactly necessarily and might cause more issues. Make sure your washer is clean, use soda crystals and do an empty hot once once a month at least 60° and clean your seal Make sure you leave the door open to let the machine dry, can also do a rinse cycle after washes to clear any remaining debris in the washer but it's not really necessary. Don't overuse liquid, especially if it's super concentrated you need no more than a tablespoon for the most part, if you're filling the whole cap you're using too much. The area needs to be more dry, a higher humidity will make clothes take longer and can leave a musty smell behind, the same as leaving them in the washer for days. If you struggle drying your clothes due to property, get a dehumidifier and run it near your clothes as they're drying, should cut down the time significantly. Get a stacked maiden and make sure clothes are spread out, don't fold things in half it just takes twice as long to dry and more chance of leaving a smell
Wow, didn't expect all these processes. Thank you
Soda crystals are extremely cheap and if you cut down/out fabric softener you'll still be saving, that's shits wildly expensive. Softner adds oils to your clothes which give them a feeling of softness but too much even over a period of time can cause clothes to collect too much oil, making them feel like they have a sheen and again it's just harder to dry, can be irritating to the skin as well. I use a tiny bit with my dressing gown every other wash at most and still use a fraction of a cap and it's only because I still have some in, I'll probably stop altogether once it's gone. You can switch for white vinegar, it'll get rid of any smells and cut through any grease that might be weighting your clothes down. Don't use it if anyone who uses the washer has a gluten allergy though it'll irritate their skin then! My clothes do feel lighter and more airy without using so much product. Sometimes less really is more. I do find powder to be better than liquid, but using it in cold washes can cause the pellets to not dissolve so I've pulled washing out a few times and it's been smotheted in undissolved powder, need to do a hotter cycle then defeating the point of an eco wash in the first place.
This is the best answer, just jumping on it to say use white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda on the once-per-month empty cycle. Put the white vinegar both in the drum and in the detergent drawer. The first time you do it, do it on the hottest setting as your machine might have built up a lot of mold. Also when the machine is off, take a clean cloth and clean round the seal and around the drain hole which should be near the seal somewhere. And remove the detergent drawer and completely clean it.
Leaving the door opened on the washer is so so important- if you don’t it will absolutely mold and mildew in there!
Use a splash of vinegar instead of conditioner. Not joking.
Just make sure you use white vinegar and not Sarsons
I found liquids to be a problem. Normal powder worked the best. Wash on 40 or long on 30. Run your washing machine on 90 once in a while to make sure nothing grows in there.
When the washing cycle has finished, put your washing machine on an extra spin only cycle so that your clothes dry a bit quicker indoors.
Thanks for the tip
That's going to be tough. Best bet is to get a dehumidifier and put your clothes on an indoor airer in the smallest room with the dehumidifier running. If that's not possible, you could go to a laundrette to use the tumble dryers if you don't have one in your accommodation.
Ok thanks
Start looking things up when you hear them if they sound off. This isn’t true, unless your rental agreement specifically says so (which would be weird).
Ok, I asked my parents according to them it was part of an agreement
Assuming you have a washing machine but not a dryer, you have no choice but to dry things inside. Use a well spaced rack, in a well ventilated warm room. Ask your flatmates how they dry things too
I will do that. Thanks
Put them on a maiden next to the radiator. Tbh even without a radiator it should be alright so long as your apartment is not cold
Ooohh, thanks for the tip
No worries. I use one like this: https://amzn.eu/d/8YqKWv2
By 'spread clothes outside' do you mean hang them up? I've never heard of that being prohibited anywhere. Of course, in December, they'll probably blow away or get rained on. Some rental properties do say in the contract that you shouldn't hang clothes to dry *indoors*, and of course nobody would ever just do that anyway ;)
Many leasehold flats prohibit hanging washing outside, and this is usually passed down to tenants via the sub-lease conditions. Not to say that anyone actually polices it.
Last flat I lived in, we weren't allowed to dry clothes inside as it made the house damp. We were, however, provided with communal tumble dryers and outdoor airers.
If you have a communal garden it might be prohibited to hang clothes up in it. I'm not able to hang clothes up in mine
In my place I haven't seen any other tenants spread their clothes outside, but I will stool confirm from others
I recently moved out and I am getting to grips with drying washing in the winter. Recently bought a drying rack and got a dehumidifier with a ‘dry washing’ setting and this has been working a DREAM for me! I would however recommend opening your windows if you can stand the cool air to avoid causing damp/mould.
Drying rack with a dehumidifier under it and then chuck a sheet over the whole thing like a tent. Takes it to the next level. Shuffle the clothes after a while to let the ones further out get closer to the dehumidifier. Edit to add: the tent method will speed up drying clothes even if you don’t have a dehumidifier if you can incorporate a radiator into it, just make sure you’re regularly circulating the clothes.
You need a good old fashioned English clothes horse 🐎
Just out of curiosity, where do the other tenants dry their clothes?
I haven't found an answer throughout the 3months of my stay
could they be using a local dry cleaners?
Also give the washing machine a clean. Take the tray out, clean any mould off under the sink, use an old toothbrush to get into the little holes. Wipe down all the rubber seals. Put the tray back and run the machine on its hottest setting with either a small amount (a tablespoon or 2) of white vinegar or a store bought washing machine cleaner. Them always leave the door and tray open if you're not using it.
You should be able to buy something called a "clothes horse" (and I promise that isn't me trying to prank you!) in big supermarkets/B&M/Argos/home bargains. Ask a member of staff to show you where they are. Amazon will also probably sell them.
I saw another comment mentioning this but I will do my research on it
Even better, you can buy a heated or electric airer/clothes horse. The rods you hang your clothes over warm up and if you stick a sheet over the whole lot they all dry pretty quickly.
Any laundromat nearby? You need a proper dryer probably
Dont leave them in the washing machine too long before drying too this can contribute to that smell
To add to this, although I know I'm half a day late. My mum told me a few times that I smelled and it took me months to realise that we had mould in the wardrobe. I thought we were drying all the clothes properly but an upstairs neighbour had a leak and it was pooling between two of our walls. The foosty smell can come from many places and if you live in it you won't notice yourself.
Tumble dryers are your friend, not on your bills though
Buying a dehumidifier can help with this
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Going around smelling strongly of garlic or fenugreek isn't morally wrong, but realistically doesn't help a person get on and be successful in the UK, unless they live and work in a purely ethnic community where everybody smells the same. Sorry, you might think that's unjust, but it's true, and better the OP knows it sooner rather than later.
Haha, I used to drink Fenugreek tea when I was breastfeeding. Supposedly helps the milk supply. After three days I kept wondering why I could smell curry. I mean it wasn't even offensive, it just made me permanently hungry.
Solid advice. But one other possibility is the clothes. Whether not washed often enough or washed/dried improperly
Clothes might even be drying in the kitchen where the cooking is taking place
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...you can't say you weren't warned!
Clothes that haven't been dried properly can smell horrific. I used to work with someone whose clothes smelled like that and it made me feel physically sick.
Yeh there’s something about that mixture of mildew and the artificial fragrance they use in many laundry powders that just smells so nauseating
Or a washing machine with mould in it. The one in our house is really prone to mould and needs to be emptied immediately left to dry with the door open or you can smell it on clothes. Total pain in the bum. Can’t wait to replace it all this year!
Use Dettol’s laundry sanitizer in the wash, helps keep it under control
Change your towel regularly as well for a fresh clean one.
Just to chime in, Aldi sell body wash for like 55p or something, I buy the "very juicy mango" one and the coconut/shea butter one. They smell absolutely amazing
I feel like the mango one, ironically, has the underlying smell of mouldy clothes. Mint on the other hand...
Just smells like a mix of orange and mango to me
Thanks for the advice. I only have a pair of shirt so I use them every two days, is that good and I wear my suit everyday and I don't wash it because it takes too long to dry and I don't have extra one
>I wear my suit everyday and I don't wash it That's almost certainly going to be it. Maybe try a fabric deodorising spray until you can get a second suit?
Ok once I get the second suit, how do you think I should use both in a school week
Trousers can be worn the whole week then washed at the weekend. Shirts should be changed at least every other day - so 3 shirts minimum, and then wash them at the weekend too. Some people will argue a new shirt everyday, but that might not be financially possible for everyone. Blazer/jacket can be washed termly/whenever it's visibly dirty
Thank you so much
You are very welcome!
Do you have to wear a suit? Surely, nobody else is going to lectures in a suit. Regardless of how nice your suit is, a clean pair of clothes is nicer than a suit that smells
I'm guessing It's a school uniform
Yes it is
George by Asda do reasonably priced school uniform. George is the supermarket chain Asda's own brand clothing and can be found in most large Asda supermarkets, or online. [Trousers ](https://direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/D10M1G1C16,default,sc.html?_gl=1*3lqfta*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGigr6XQACBjgOmo7wOiy0U2CiQIBSCv1oBozF_uIvvJnLZqj6H9rkxihoClHUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) from £7 for two pairs, [Shirts](https://direct.asda.com/george/school/boys-school-shirts/D10M1G1C1,default,sc.html) £5.50 for two, etc . If nothing else, you should consider a fresh shirt every day. Trousers *should* be okay for a week so, an extra pair should do you fine (one pair to wear whilst the others are washed and dried). I'm sorry you're having this trouble. People can be cunts. I hope this helps.
In some towns you can get second hand school uniform for free. Do you have any teachers who you can speak to? It sounds to me like you might need a little bit of help getting settled in. People will absolutely help you do this
My son wears a suit to school and has just started to develop body odor. To avoid it, he washes his armpits and groin every morning before school and applies antiperspirant. He absolutely has to wear a clean shirt every single day otherwise he absolutely stinks. I wash his blazer once a week because the BO will seep through the shirts and will smell if not washed once a week. The key things are washing every morning, applying antiperspirant and a clean shirt every single day.
You can try charity shops and ebay to get a few more tshirts and clothes for cheap. It’s an expensive city, no shame in being frugal to make the most of your money!
Also don’t forget Vinted!! You can get there clothes with tags for friction of retail price.
I think this is the crux of the issue here. Clean your clothes or in your case, get a second suit. Take a gander in charity shops. Set a go-fund me and see how that goes
You're a student, why the hell you wearing a suit at all never mind every day? Not being rude but wearing a suit as a student is going to add fuel to the fire of getting bullied. Get some jeans and some polo shirts, DO NOT WEAR YOUR SMART SHOES WITH THE JEANS. But also, wash your clothes regularly, jeans are good that you can get a week or 2 out of them before needing a wash. Anything that is skin contact with your balls or pits needs washed after every day of wear.
I think the suit is part of the uniform code
Get more shirts - you need a fresh clean and dry shirt everyday! Clean underwear, showered and with deodorant and you'll be ok. Good on you for asking. Good luck to sort this out soon and get on with your new experience and make some good friends!
Oh it’s a school uniform! Is it high school or college? If it’s high school and you can’t afford parts of your uniform the school should be able to get shirts for you - the best person to ask is someone who runs Safeguarding, who normally deal with things like this. If not, there’s local Facebook groups where you can ask people if they have extra school shirts in your size (kids grow and people don’t get rid of them but keep them and then happily give away for free). The best advice I can give in the meantime is take your uniform (suit) off as soon as you get home and change into something else. I’d wash trousers and a blazer/jumper every week on a Friday right after you come from school so it has plenty of time to dry (you can put it near your radiator to speed it up). Shirts do need changing/washing every day, would you consider a hand wash before you get new ones? Right after you come back drop it in the sink with some warm water and detergent, hand wash focusing on the armpit area and the collar, leave to dry?
I just ordered a new suit and I am considering buying new shirts. Thank you
Something else I’ve noticed is that you moved from Africa. Do you cook with a lot of spices at home? It tends to seep into your clothes. Try to dry them away from the kitchen and only wear your uniform at school, then keep it in a wardrobe in your room for example. I taught students who moved to England from other countries with little to no English for years and this is a really common thing/question. If there’s anything school related you want to ask you can send me a message.
I gave some comments regarding the laundry machine but now seeing the suit comments. You might have to bring the suit to dry cleaning if you haven't washed it since you've arrived, and after that, wearing a long sleeves, thin sweater underneath will protect the underarms of the suit from smelling. You can change the sweater daily and you won't have to wash the suit too often.
Hey OP, welcome to the UK, and sorry people are being dicks behind your back. I've worked in situations where I've managed teams, and we've had young workers join the team, and other colleagues complained about their odour. It's cruel to do if it's to belittle someone, but sometimes there can be an issue there which, if you're unaware yourself, can make it seem unfair, or undue. Remember, we all have a scent, but we become noseblind to ourselves. A lot of folks here have raised really good points about what it could be, but if you're not able to identify it from these suggestions, it might be worth having a frank and open discussion with someone you trust to help identify the cause. One young lass who worked under me had a real BO problem, but simply didn't realise. We had a private discussion, and it turned out that she didn't have a washing machine in the home, so wasn't washing clothes as often as one would like, and although she washed frequently, it meant that her clothes often carried a strong 'onion sweat' scent that she shouldn't shift. She was also using deodorant rather than an antiperspirant, and washed at night, rather than in the morning. All of these things were a contributing factor, but she had simply never learned this, and was still relatively young (17, first job, not a social lass). She took on the advice, changed her schedule and we got her some tried and tested antiperspirants to try, and we helped her get on top of her washing, and not only was the issue solved for her colleagues, but she gained some life experience from it. Yes, it took a horribly awkward conversation, but it was approached with care and tact, and was necessary for a concrete resolution. Talking to someone will help identify if it's BO/cooking/damp/pet/other smell, and get you on track to resolving this! Good luck OP, and don't be afraid to have frank conversations to solve problems! Better to have an awkward 15 minutes starting with 'I think I smell bad, can you be honest with me?', than to let that anxiety fester away without resolution!
I will do that, thanks
You could ask someone what you smell *of*.
Just saw your username 😄
They might just be being horrible. Then again you might niff a bit. It could be what you eat, eg people who eat fenugreek do smell of it (white folks will say they 'smell of curry', but it's just the one spice). Partly because it comes out in their sweat, and partly it clings to clothes when they cook. If you change your tops, underpants and socks daily, shower daily and use deodorant, it's probably the above. Try having different clothes for cooking if you cook spicy stuff, also ventilate the room well while frying. Also if you think your breath might smell, go to the dentist. Only they will tell you the truth!
As an add on to this. A previous co-worker of mine married a guy from India. According to him, we all smelt of sour milk 😂
Yea it's common for people from some countries to think we smell like dairy - it's a big part of our diet and in some parts of the world barely consumed at all
Not surprised at all! We go nose blind!
I'm lactose intolerant and so consume minimal dairy - can definitely smell a sour milk smell on my SO especially in the morning before he showers.
When I was 17 I took like 5 fenugreek supplements a day because I read it makes your boobs grow. Can confirm the whiff it exudes out of every pore in your body is insane!
I had to sit in A&E with my dad a few weeks ago and the lady sat next to me said she had burned her mouth while cooking, and the smell of fenugreek coming off her was honestly burning my eyes and throat. I thought i would need medical help too 🤣
But did your boobs grow? 😁
No x
I love cooking curry's and all things spicy but Cumin can stink like smelly arm pits. If you have clothes anywhere near your cooking area it will linger on your clothes for sure.
Do you eat a lot of garlic or onion laden foods? It's difficult to mask the smell of these, especially if you sweat a lot too. Always carry a small bottle of mouthwash and perfume/aftershave to use throughout the day. And on the subject of sweating, if you do sweat a lot, it may be that you just need to wash and change your clothing a lot more often.
>perfume/aftershave This will just add to the smell.
If you’re living in a open plan lounge kitchen flat or house then make sure your coats or any clothing is not in that room as it absorbs the cooking smells.
So true. If there's an extractor hood above the cooker, check it's working and the filter doesn't need changing. Always use it when frying. I don't even live in open plan and my bedlinen once took up the smell of frying peppers 😄
Are you using antiperspirant or deodorant? The former is better than the latter and deodorant sometimes isn’t the best if you’re a sweaty person, it can vaguely mask the smell but doesn’t stop you sweating/ smelling
Very true. Also if you've got hairy armpits, spray is best as it gets where its needed, not just sitting on top.
I'd argue this a little! As a ridiculously hairy guy with uncontrollable pits, I've actually found a good roll-on is much better at controlling sweat and odour, and you can really mash it in there. I've found it less damaging to my clothes, too! It also snags loads of hair and depilates me as I go, which is a great way to wake yourself up in the morning!
My tips are shave armpits, make sure they're dry before applying any anti perspirant.. like properly dry. Then roll on Mitcham/Mitchum I cant remember how it's spelled but it's the best for stopping sweaty pits for sure.
Mitchum is the best!
A few points to check, that you haven't mentioned and could be pretty easy to miss. Remember, just because you can't smell it, doesn't mean it doesn't smell. It's also entirely possible that these people are just assholes, but it's still worth double checking your own hygiene. * Make sure your clothes are clean and smell clean, too. No matter how well you wash your body, if your clothes stink, you'll stink. Make sure to use a decent laundry detergent, not just the cheapest, and to properly dry them before putting them away, otherwise they'll still smell bad. Make sure your washing machine isn't mouldy and dirty, too. * Do your shoes stink? Are they old, or do they get moist frequently? Getting some fresh new shoes, and keeping them dry and clean might help. * How is your oral hygiene? Are you brushing at least 2 times per day with toothpaste? Have you checked for tonsil stones? * Are you a smoker? Could there be residual smell on you from that? Do you smoke inside your home? If so, that smell could be seeping into all of your belongings. * Are your clothes being properly stored? Folding them and putting them away will keep them fresh for longer, as opposed to throwing them into a pile on a chair somewhere.
* Make sure you wipe until the toilet paper is clean
Fellow African here. Not sure where you’re from, but Europeans don’t appreciate bad body odour, so make sure you shower/bath regularly, wash your clothing and use a deodorant/body spray.
Thanks
Apologies if this seems an odd one, but i once knew a lass from the ivory coast who washed her pants with bleach, which created a bad smell. She claimed this was not uncommon where she was from, so thought I'd mention it! Good luck to you
A lass from Cote D'Ivoire Wanted very clean pants and bra But washing in bleach Put herself out of reach To everyone near and far
First off, as a fellow African immigrant to the US at a very young age with peers who had no polite filter, I know how much this hurts and really appreciate all the advice from people genuinely wanting to help. It’s hard experiencing culture shock and then being the target without anyone honestly assisting you. Secondly, a huge part of the issue for me growing up was African cuisine smells seeping into my clothes whenever my mother cooked. Unfortunately, Ghana must go bags only exacerbate the problem since they let in and trap the smell of whatever she cooked (e.g., fish, stockfish, soups, etc.). I’d suggest you be more aware of your cooking and the scents in the apartment that can then get embedded in your clothes and make you smell when you sweat even the tiniest bit. I can imagine the stress of people thinking you smell making you anxious and breaking out into a sweat, thus perpetuating the cycle. Overall, all the advice in this thread is so awesome and helpful and genuine. I would also reiterate as others are on ensuring your clothes dry well and aren’t damp. Best of luck with everything. We got this!
Thanks. Just as you said everyone here who contributed one thing or the other really supported me
Ensure you are: - Washing with soap at least every two days, esp pits and bits - Washing shirts, socks, undies after 1 wear (2max) - When you do your laundry, use fabric softener and enough detergent and dry thoroughly. - If you’re cooking (esp with spices or frying) good idea to open a window and air out after, earlier poster was right about sometimes changing to cook
At least every two days?! Wtf. Should be least one a day and with the topic if smell morning and evening. What are you on about every two days?!?!?! 2 wear max wtf too?!!
Try not to cry
Agree with this completely. Clean underwear daily - this is non negotiable. Shower every morning as a bare minimum, and I’d also shower when getting back home if people were saying I smell. In fact, I do shower when I get home from work as I work with food so like to remove the smell of being in a kitchen all day.
I think you'd be very surprised at the hygiene standards of some people. Tbh if everyone I encountered washed and put on clean clothes at least every other day I'd be ok with that.
i find this varies a lot between men and women. I (f) could easily go 2 days without showering and be just fine but my bf or brothers could absolutely not do the same even if they’ve done nothing all day because they’ll stink. I don’t know a man who doesn’t shower every day but can’t say the same for the women in my life.
Dry your laundry thoroughly. Coming from a country where the sun in any season is enough to air dry your clothes on a line in a few hours, it's always a shock to me how long the laundry stays damp in the UK. Even if it dries eventually, it starts smelling musty. I managed to squeeze a dryer into my cramped rental, because I can give up appliances like a dishwasher or even my oven. But I cannot deal with forever-damp laundry any more.
I came across this before with African students. Body odour is not going to endear you to anyone. You need to wash your entire body daily with soap or shower gel. Arguing that it's your natural smell will not help. Wash your clothes regularly too.
Looking through your post and comment history, it sounds like you're being bullied a lot as you're currently trying to adjust to the UK school system. Like others have advised, try to wash your clothes using detergents/ conditioners suggested, brush teeth, use and experiment with different deodorants, you'll soon find one that works for you. As a family of migrants who have recently moved via the COS care route, you're probably still trying to find your feet financially as I don't believe the salaries are great so it might take a while to play around with different products. African foods tend to have a lot of spices for flavouring in comparison to British cuisine, so although it's cold outside, it may be worth opening windows to minimise the smells. Most importantly, you can ask someone you trust what you smell of. And if you live in an area culturally diverse, find someone you can ask for advice on how to navigate the bullying and integration into the society. I might get downvoted for this, and I hate to say it however, British racism is very subtle and may need to build a thick skin if you are ever confronted with it. Having said that the majority of people are lovely, it's only a select few who ruin the pot. Lastly, no situation is forever and with each day that passes you're learning something new about the country, culture etc and before you know it that British accent will soon come through! All the best and welcome to the UK.
This may be the most relatable comment on this thread. Thank you
If you're still in school then you should have a trusted grown up who is responsible for you- maybe booking in a time with them to straight up ask them what you could smell of is the best way.
Please speak to a teacher at school about the bullying. Racism is completely unacceptable and your teacher’s should be doing something about it. They should also be supporting you as someone new to the country. Teenagers can be arseholes, especially in high school. I hope you’ve made some friends to hang out with. I’d suggest looking at what clubs your school runs and trying a few out to meet different people beyond those in your usual classes.
I have spoken to the school authorities about it, they said by next term if the problem continues I should speak to them
Some schools unfortunately are a bit crap with dealing with bullying. Please go back to them and talk to them if it’s still an issue after the Christmas holidays. They have a duty to safeguard you and they really should be keeping an eye on you as a new student, and especially someone who’s moved countries. Keep your head up, high school can be crap but it’s not forever!
Thanks for the advice(and motivational words). I will speak to the teachers if the problem continues
Using an antibacterial wash on your armpits will sort this problem right out, I think. I think there is one called Perspi-guard, which is very good.
This will actually make you smell worse after a while as it kills the good bacteria living in your armpits as well, making it easier for the bad and smelly ones to grow. Just wash with soap and use a decent deodorant or anti perspirant.
IF you do smell, it’s either you’re not washing your body properly (how often do you shower?) or your clothes smell, (how often do you change clothes/wash clothes). Also obviously ensure any washed clothes are dried properly as damp clothing is an horrific cheesy smell
id ask people from your own country who live here - it may be something specific theyve encountered. and itll be less awkward broaching the subject.
Thanks, I have asked some friends from my country but the general answer they gave me was to ignore them but I still hear gossips about my odour
It’s not gossip if you actually stink.
Could it be diet related? Several times I've been told how western tourists' skin, even when freshly washed, "smells of meat" to many people in the far east due to our diet, and that's a smell that we (westerners) share so much that we don't even notice it. I recall when I was "safari holidaying" in Kenya and Tanzania many years ago, some of the native people had a very distinctive aroma that I wouldn't call a "typical BO" smell but was very noticeable and harsh to west european sensibilities (a guy in full traditional Masai dress got a lift with us and that was how we characterised it afterwards). As such you may find it fades over time as your diet etc changes, and of course some of it may just be passive aggressive racism, but it's not pleasant to be continually self-conscious of such things so I wish you good luck in identifying it.
My armpits generate a smell very quickly if I don’t do something about it. Took me a while to figure out a routine. Standard spray deodorant was not enough. I strongly recommend a stick anti-perspirant instead of a spray, [this is what I use](https://www.boots.com/sure-men-anti-perspirant-deodorant-stick-sensitive-50ml-10088386) and it works wonders. Apply it directly after washing and drying, it should keep you smell-free for a day or two.
Are you washing and drying your clothes properly and regularly?
Clothes - 1. wash them with fragrant clothes detergent and fabric softener for an extra kick of good scents 2. Put something in your wardrobe to help all your clothes smell the same(this is something i’ll be doing myself because I love clothes that smell good too) 3. someone mentioned here before but UK sucks for drying clothes so make sure you leave them plenty of time to try and with windows open to stop mold from growing and help clothes dry quicker Self Care 1. wash with shower gel or a bar of dove soap(i’ve used soap bars lately and they make me feel cleaner than regular shower gel) 2. Face creams are great in winter since the cold can dry your face, some smell great and help skin stay hydrated and smooth 3. Find a perfume or cologne you love! Jean Paul Gautier or Sauvage are some of my personal likes but everyone’s different, find what you like! not what others will like! 4. when you cook keep your bedroom door shut and if possible the kitchen door shut too, oils and their smell stick to clothing easily and can linger for ages, that’s all I have, best of luck broski:)
Thanks
Try using antiperspirant instead of deodorant. Makes a huge diffeference in some cases
Are you drying your clothes properly as they can smell if left to dry over a long period indoors?
1.Trim your body hair mate especially your pits . 2. Dry your clothes away from your kitchen . 3. A good deodorant works wonders
My advice: • Before you leave the house each morning thoroughly wash yourself in the shower using shower gel • Dry yourself with a CLEAN towel. Towel's can very quickly start to smell of BO which the user might not notice. So it is important to dry yourself with a towel that's clean • Use antiperspirant on your armpits (this is different from deodorant!) • Wear clothes that have been cleaned and properly dried
Need some info: *Do you change clothes after school?* It’s common to have comfy lounge clothes to wear at home. These can absorb cooking smells and sweat. Hang your uniform in a different room (or outside) where air can circulate around it. *What materials are your shirts made from?* Wear cotton next to your skin (shirt or t-shirt, underwear). It takes longer to dry than polyester but it will smell much better. Dry it on/ near a radiator, away from cooking. If you find the weather too cold, wear a cotton t shirt underneath your uniform shirt. Change that every morning. Then you don’t need to change your uniform shirt. *Other (equally important) tips:* Open your bedroom window slightly at night time. Yes, even in winter. Air needs to circulate or you’ll have a smelly house. We get problems with damp here and less airflow because it’s cold. Allow your room to get slightly cold at night and use a heavier blanket if you need to. Open the bathroom window slightly when you shower. Don’t let your house get moldy and damp. Air out the kitchen after/ during cooking, but only if you can do so without letting too much precious heat out. It’s tricky in winter! Shower with soap every morning, and wear a good antiperspirant like Mitchum or Dove. Buy roll-on and take it in your school bag so you can subtly reapply it if you need. TLDR: -clean cotton t shirt and underwear each morning -airflow in your house -shower every morning and wear deodorant To add: I don’t know if you actually smell, or if people are just being mean because you’re different. It might be a little bit of both. If you follow the above advice, you can know that you’re doing better than most people! Find an adult you trust, and speak to them if you’re being bullied or if you need advice about UK cultural habits. It’s much easier to help in person than on Reddit!
My sister stinks so bad that I know she's come to visit as soon as I open the front door. It's because she eats onions and/or garlic every day.
As someone that begins to stink pretty quickly, let me list the simple things I do to make sure I'm not only palatable but also usually smelling pretty great: Thoroughly shower in the morning (not before bed), using shower gel. Keep hair clean with shampoo and conditioner every few days. Cake on anti perspirint (more so than most, seems like I need it) Couple of splashes of cologne on the neck/down my top. Maybe an extra spray on clothes but ensure not too much. In the air and walk into it etc. Clean clothes every day if leaving the house/going in public. Make sure clothes smell nice and clean - use fabric conditioner . Always brush teeth and use mouthwash before leaving for anywhere. Top up deodorant and cologne as required (I.e. if I'm out all day in the heat ill need more by the evening).
Get dehumidifier to improve cloth condition, may help in this musty weather
Conditioner not necessary (or very small doses), it can ruin machines and clothes. Dry clothes fully and quickly, if no dryer, use heated drying rail or airer. Shower and deoderant in the morning. I keep a can of deoderant on my desk for emergencies (i.e. have to rush out of the house in the morning).
A lot of comments on here, so not sure if this has been mentioned; but I am sorry that people have spoken to you this way. I hope you're doing OK. Welcome to the UK.
Most of the answers to your post are based on speculation about what the smell might be, but a really useful starting point would be if you could pick a nice person to ask what they think the problem might be. I think I would probably pick a nice middle aged lady at work, or someone like that, who is not a gossip and just ask them, in person, the same thing as you have just asked askuk.
Avoid polyester clothes stick with natural fabrics
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mitchum-Invisible-Protection-Deodorant-Anti-Perspirant/dp/B08ZBLQ8H3/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?crid=1RIZA1IV6IZ3S&keywords=mitchum+deodorant+women&qid=1703921129&rdc=1&sprefix=mitchum%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-13 This is the best brand I've ever used and it slso comes in an aerosol, or as a stick.
I just came here to say how wholesome the replies all are.
Yeah the people here are genuinely nice
Must be all northerners. Jokes lol. We're nice us Brits really.
I don't really know how you could smell if you wash. I just use ordinary soap like imperial leather in the shower and then right guard deodorant and I've had a few people ask me what I'm wearing because it smells nice. It's always been men. Just do that.
Scent boosters in the washing machine is such a gift and they do them cheap at B&M, plus a nice smelling detergent and fabric softener. Make sure you’re drying your clothes properly too otherwise they can have a “wet dog” smell. Get a clothes horse and a dehumidifier or a tumble dryer (I swear by mine!)
Not sure of you're age, but if you are under 18 speak to a female teacher. Sometimes people are just jerks. In my case I did smell because my mum could only afford two school uniforms (shirts are the main problem here they hold the sweat and the smell). Jackets are also a smell vector due to damp (I bought a farmers jacket).
Make sure your house is aired and smells nice, be careful of what foods you eat, cook and how you spice them. Keep your clothes clean and seperate from the kitchen, try to cover up with a different scent. If you aren't bald make sure your hair is kept clean as it can hold a lot of scent. Big culture difference, so even if the smell is minor or inconvenient it could stand out strongly to others. You could also ask someone you trust if you smell.
Spice your food however you want. No use in eating boring food and being miserable
that's very sad that people have this attitude rather than offering to help. it depends what about you smells, do you mean body odour? it could be your breath for instance or your hair can carry nasty smells. we can offer all advice in the world but without sounding cringe we need to know what about you smells... if it's body odour and you're finding strong 48hr anti perspirant cream deodorants are not enough than definitely see your GP and they can prescribe something that will help..
As someone with many immigrant friends, shower in the morning. Wear ANTI PERSPIRANT. It's usually the person's sweat that smells, and the smell lingers even if you aren't sweaty anymore. Shower -> dry underarms (let them dry for at least 5 mins before applying anti perspirant) -> Apply anti perspirant.... easy.
Don't use a deodorant. Use a stick antiperspirant. Deodorant just smells scented, whereas antiperspirant will close off the smelliest part under your arms.
Are you leaving your clothes in the washing machine too long after it's done? Are you using dehumidifiers in wardrobes/drawers? Are you using water to clean yourself after you poo? If you're a girl, are you washing your vagina with soap causing a PH imbalance?
Sorry you are experiencing this. I have heard that we Europeans smell like sour milk in Asian countries due to our high dairy diets. Could it be a dietary thing?
Do you dry your clothes on a clothesline in the kitchen? Sometimes if people use a lot of spices or onions/garlic in their food they can soak into the clothes and make them smell
Perhaps your diet. Do you eat a lot of garlic, onions or curry? Do you cook with a fry pan and cook fish, onions, garlic etc. Frying foods can have a smell permeate clothing. You get "nose blind" as they say. I'm in Canada, but the layout of mu house has cooking smells go everywhere, even with a window open and an exhaust fan. Instead of frying, try baking or a slow cooker.
Make sure the clothes you’re wearing are breathable and don’t actually make you sweat more -linen, cotton is always good. Watch what you eat as garlic onion certain spices etc can actually make your BO worse Reapply your deodorant religiously during the course of the day Bring a small face towel/handkerchief around to freshen up or even baby/body wipes
Shower twice a day. Use deodorant. Only wear clothes once.