Why do I/my clothes smell??

[Stinkysolutions]

Right lovely MNers, I've name changed for this.

I think I smell when I'm at work. Warm environment etc, but I can't work out the actual source! It's like a BO smell, but both myself and my uniform are freshly washed. I don't notice it when I'm not at work, so I don't think it's actually my body.
I usually wash my clothes at 40c but have upped it now to 60. My clothes don't seem to smell when they're off either.
Its been going on a few months now. Have changed shower gels, deodorants, perfume, washing powder. I don't use fabric softener or scent boosters. I've tried washing clothes with white vinegar, soda crystals, increased washing temp. I line dry clothes where possible.

Any ideas? I'm so embarrassed 😳

amzn.eu/d/2YzBxyB

You can get a spray which targets sweat + deodorant combo, I think it's citric acid as when I've accidentally got it on my fingers it tastes like concentrated grapefruit juice.

You can also just use plain white vinegar for this.

I do find with polyester (primark tops are the worst for this) I have to wash them at 60 periodically.

I have also found a good tip that works for actual armpit smell is to use facial cleanser (like Clean & Clear) on your armpits. No idea why this would work when bar soap didn't but - it does. I wash with bar soap and then when I wash my face I do an extra squirt for my armpits too.

Doesn't make sense.

Only smell at work. So if you are at home you can't smell it on you or the scrubs. Then it's not you.

It's not perimenopause or your washing machine or your washing product as you only smell it at work.

If it was you or your clothes you'd smell it outside work

It's something in your work space.

Is it your work shoes wafting up from under the desk?

No, not necessarily.

I'm echoing posters who are suggesting perimenopause.

I find that how I smell, and how much I sweat when at work, has been affected by peri.

It's different from being at home, as it's easier to regulate - not in an overheated office environment, where I feel hot all day. At home / out & about, I've more control over my clothes / layers.

I don't smell in a way that anyone would notice but feel clammy & certainly not fresh, and wash my clothes after each wear generally, which is frustrating.

I think the fabric is key too, and if OP has a work uniform that's likely not to be of natural fabrics & adding to the challenge.

The solution is really only extra showering, fresh & clean clothes each day, good deodorant applied regularly. Take regular breaks in the fresh air to reset your body temperature, plenty of fluids.

Try hibiscrub on pits! Both clothes and self

Make sure you use bar soap on your armpits, wash, rinse, wash and rinse again. Then make sure your pits are properly dry before applying deodorant and don't just apply it in a small circle. The sweat glands under your arms cover quite a large area.

Thanks again for all the suggestions! Not all the products are available to me locally, so I will have to order online.

So far: scrubs washed in bio liquid (only bio I had, will get bio powder) at 60c, white vinegar added, and clothes line dried.

Tops ironed, but no smell from underarm area even with the heat

I have bought dettol antibacterial laundry cleanser, zoflora, bars of soap (couldn't find the sanex one) and mitchum deodorant.

I'll work my way through all the products and hopefully sort the problem. Otherwise it will be new work shoes, followed by new uniforms...and hopefully it won't be the same problem over again.

Thanks again!

Zoflora works on really stinky trainers so should help.

And yes, powder is better than liquid. Plus it works out cheaper.

Mitchum deodorant stuck in my clothes to be honest