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Older people scent/smell

153 replies

4658Lou · 13/07/2025 21:37

My mother has lived with me for some time and I have never smelled anything befoe, but recently there is a distinct scent coming from where she is living in her bedroom/lounge bit and bathroom and the only way to describe it without a better way to put it, it smells like old person smell and it’s terribly pungent, to be honest I can’t stand the scent it’s going into the hallway even with the door shut. I have tried to approach the subject very gentle but she is unaware completely she keeps saying the dog must have a doggy smell - which it doesn’t, bathed regular and my house smells fresh and clean it’s only where my mum is living it’s absolutely reeks of that old people scent it’s hard to describe , I’ve offered to clean her areas no she won’t let me - but I think it’s that bad now that it’s in the fabrics the scent? I don’t know how to approach this I’m at a loss and don’t want to hurt feelings but I want the smell to go or to not be as pungent I want to help my mum but she reluctant for me to touch her things etc.

OP posts:
SharpLily · 13/07/2025 21:55

You can't get rid of it, I'm afraid. It comes from inside her body, it's a chemical thing. Nothing to do with personal hygiene.

I feel for you though, it's awful.

Laiste · 13/07/2025 21:54

There's a name for the smell. It's a real thing. It's a sort of body oil.

We all start to produce the smell once we hit middle age and it gets more pungent as we get older.

If i remember correctly one place the smell comes from is the back of the neck. The reason it can linger more is less vigorous washing and perhaps changing clothes/bedding less often. Not using a hot wash ect. Also chair covers getting old and stale and embedded with the scent.

Some people love the smell with it reminding them of grand parents ect.

Personally i hate it ! I'll be scrubbing the back of my neck and boil washing my bedding to avoid starting to smell like it!

Im sorry i have no advice - but it is a real thing you're not imagining it.

stardust777 · 13/07/2025 21:51

Persimmon soap and a salux cloth?

Persimmon soap

Salux cloth

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