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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think "grapefruit" or "rhubarb" scents smell like BO?

42 replies

ItWasntMeOnTheCounter · 03/02/2026 14:42

I've always thought the kind of "tang" of these scents (in body sprays, washing liquids, etc) is just like really strong BO. Is it just me?

OP posts:
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BogRollBOGOF · 03/02/2026 22:45

No, it's white musk that stinks like BO. Cosmetics that smell like musty armpits seem pretty counter-productive to me.

Sunsetseascape · 03/02/2026 22:42

AuDHDqueen · 03/02/2026 19:45

Totally agree they stink of BO.

Also some lagers smell of weed

Yes re lager and weed! I also find coffee and coffee breath often smells like poo!

Sunsetseascape · 03/02/2026 22:41

No, I like grapefruit scented things and now I’m concerned about the bodyshop products I have in case people think I smell of BO! 😩

I find onions and some cooked spices can smell of BO.

FuriousInventions · 03/02/2026 22:39

I love grapefruit, mango, rhubarb and all citrus scents in body wash and cleaning products. Currently using a coconut shower gel that smells like bleach to me though 😳

RainySundayAfternoon · 03/02/2026 20:29

Mango flavoured yogurt just smells like armpits to me.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 03/02/2026 20:02

ThatMintMember · 03/02/2026 19:40

Nope but I think donner kebab smells like BO 🤣 everyone clearly has different senses of smell!

I think all lamb smells greasy and sweaty. It's really pronounced when it's cold lamb.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 03/02/2026 20:01

I like the smell of grapefruit, but in toiletries it absolutely smells like sour stale sweat.

I bought a grapefruit body wash once and it smelt nice in the shower but I spent the day wondering why I stank until I twigged.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 03/02/2026 19:57

I love the BodyShop Pink Grapefruit shower gel but my DH says it smells like "stale piss"

I'm using up a Method Grapefruit cleaning spray , no piss smells from that !

AuDHDqueen · 03/02/2026 19:45

Totally agree they stink of BO.

Also some lagers smell of weed

localnotail · 03/02/2026 19:41

I wish my BO smelled like grapefruit. Instead, it smells like onions.

ThatMintMember · 03/02/2026 19:40

Nope but I think donner kebab smells like BO 🤣 everyone clearly has different senses of smell!

ChubbyPuffling · 03/02/2026 19:38

I always thought pink grapefruit bodywash smelt like cooking lamb fat. Then went to a perfumery and they said yes, there is something the same in both.

Beekman · 03/02/2026 19:32

Yes definitely. I have a shampoo which is grapefruit but stinks like a fella I used to work with. It’s great for my hair but I only use it when I’m not going anywhere as I am concerned people will think it’s my pits. Never tried anything rhubarb.

hazelnutvanillalatte · 03/02/2026 19:30

I used to work in perfumery and it was well-known that grapefruit could unintentionally produce a BO scent. There is also a trend for nut notes but they can easily translate as musty/unwashed.

Newsenmum · 03/02/2026 19:26

Yes it does to mr too

Jackiepumpkinhead · 03/02/2026 19:23

I agree, I hate anything grapefruit scented. There’s also a blackberry Jo Malone perfume that smells like deodorant on the turn, yuck.

BendyFriends · 03/02/2026 16:14

No... but my DH has said that grapefruit products sort of smell like something else to him🙈

RottenBanana · 03/02/2026 15:52

I recently bought a mandarin and apricot shower wash. It reeks of BO. I have never noticed it with any other.

CraftyNavySeal · 03/02/2026 15:48

To me fresh mint smells like BO. I have a superdrug moisturiser that smells like white wine!

7238SM · 03/02/2026 15:48

Never had this issue with grapefruit or rhubarb!

When I was younger, I used to think parmesan smelt of manky/tinea feet. 🤢

KitWyn · 03/02/2026 15:40

Cut onion smells like unwashed male armpit and cheese smells like unwashed feet.

I'm not a fan of vanilla, chocolate, coconut, almond or most fruit cleansers (including rhubarb and grapefruit) for the body or the home. They don't smell as being clean. They smell like food.

But I like virtually all the M&S Apothecary bodywash scents. Even the blends including sweet orange, bergamot, thyme, cardamon and cinnamon etc. They smell of an expensive spa, not of a bakery. That's apparently what I want in a body cleanser?

Christmasinmecar · 03/02/2026 15:38

Someone I know has rhubarb scented handwash in her bathroom, the smell makes me feel sick. I usually use a squirt of her shower gel instead to wash my hands.
But, rhubarb crumble and custard is my all time fave pud😍

Checkenberger · 03/02/2026 15:25

I think anything jo malone smells like toilet cleaner
All fabulosa scents smell like sick

BreakingBroken · 03/02/2026 15:24

To me raw onions smell like BO, and coffee smells like ashtrays/nicotine (yup a genetic thing).

Bowcup · 03/02/2026 15:24

I don’t get that with those smells but certain tropical smells, smell like cat piss. Trident tropical chewing gum, taste lovely but if you didn’t know what it was and smelt it think it was cat piss