To not wear antiperspirant to my job in healthcare?

[floatinglily]

I've tried all sorts, none of which work. I've tried Dove max protection and Triple Dry as well as many of the usual supermarket bought ones. I still end up smelling! I've used Lush deodorant before which doesn't stop me sweating but does get rid of the smell. I don't know what else to try.

WIBU to use the lush deodorant for work but potentially end up with sweat patches on hot / busy days?

Your average older builder/workman traditionally use Imperial Leather to wash with.

I see many men, hospital porters/nurses with sweat patches and think nothing of it. It's how people smell, or rather don't, tjat matter.

So as long as you don't smell.

Stop washing your work clothes on a 30. If you're on a 12 hour shift, perhaps change mid shift.

Good question about the soap @noworklifebalance I'm doing my weekly shop today so it would be good to pick some up.

Washing at thirty is no use at all. Wash at fifty at least and do extra rinses too. Bio or non-bio, makes no difference.

You should wash clothes at 60 in healthcare. Infection control. Thegooglemum is correct.

DD is a sweaty Betty working as a HCP and Mitchum is the only one that works for her.

Is it your uniform that smells rather than you? Although we mostly wash at 30, that doesn't get the smell off the armpits of very sweaty clothes. What fabric is your uniform, I've had some uniforms that really made me sweat.

Have you experimented with different bio powders and washing your uniform on hot? Also if possible getting more uniform tops and changing tops at lunchtime.

T K Maxx sell beautiful real soap made in Italy in gorgeous packaging, big bars that last for ages.

It does make you feel horribly self conscious when you’re aware of smelling less than 100%. Sweaty, menopausal female here who was having terrible problems. Wash clothes at 60 to get rid of ingrained odour- pop a capful of white vinegar in to boost. As previous posters have said Dove doesn’t work, it smells lovely but the moisturisers in it create a film on your armpit that trap in odours. Traditional soaps such as Imperial Leather are effective. Mitchum 48 hour roll on deodorant is my holy grail, however for some reason it has to be the pink one (yellow one doesn’t work on me at all!). Put this on before bed, it takes a little while to dry and works best if put on overnight. Good luck op, it’s embarrassing when you’re conscious of your own smell and hopefully you can come up with a routine that works for you

Wow! That was an essay!

I am not sweaty or smelly at all, but even I sweat if I use Dove. It doesn't get me clean at all.

Try a body splash, such as the ones used in Spain. I have a Bromley Eau de Cologne, which works perfectly. They won't stop you sweating but totally neutralise any smells. I splash it all over after a morning shower and still smell fresh in the evening despite 35c heat. It's great on feet too as shoes won't smell and seems to deter insects.
I don't know why they went out of fashion!

If you don't use biological washing detergent then you should wash everything at 60. It's the only way to kill bacteria on underwear and the kind that cause clothes to smell of old sweat. If your clothes smell then add Dettol Laundry Bleach to your wash too. Those two actions should stop your clothes from smelling, although I've found that clothes with an ingrained sweat smell are sometimes beyond rescue and the only answer is buying new ones.

@floatinglily I used to have horrendous problems with sweating underarm. I used driclor and the problem gradually stopped - I think I used it once a week for a few months, then a couple of times a month, then once every few months, then nothing. It’s at least 10 years since I used it last :)

The first time I used it my skin was really sore - like I’d been using sandpaper on it! It faded quite quickly though.

You should be washing your uniform hotter than 30 for infection control purposes regardless of anything else. Our hospital say to wash them at 60.

Perspirex is the only thing that works for me.

I also use mitchum roll-on daily, it never occurred to me to apply that at night time!

I second bar soap and salt crystal deodorant (not the spray salt ones) it takes a good week or two to start working but after that I can easily go a day or two without applying and its fine.

Try antiperspirants that come in a bar (roll ons or sprays really don’t cut in cases like this).

Men antiperspirants are way more effective than women’s. The ones in bars do not smell strong so choosing something with a unisex aroma like lavender or fresh can do.

Tmmaxx does the most beautiful range of posh soaps.. Otherwise almost any will do. As long as its not a beauty bar (Dove etc) it should be fine. Shower gel on your armpits is a no no too.
Mitchum deorderant - best one going imo.
I'd wash you uniforms on a 60 wash with a really big squeeze of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner hole. The dettol laundry wash is good too. You need to get rid of the bacteria and therefore the smell. Washing at 30 they will be still there, lying in wait for your body temp to rise and the smell to come out.
(none of that is proven scientifically but that's how I think of it).

Mitchum did nothing for me. I use Sure for men or Pitrok.

Sure maxi strength is the business. 💪

Driclor or mitchum work wonders.

use Trust cream at night
proper soap (not Dove) in the morning and give your armpits and surround areas and good scrub with it
spray this on the armpits of your clothes and uniform
www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/product/stain-devils-antiperspirant-sweat-marks-250ml/

Mitchum is very effective.

I second this, try the gel one.

If you can't use bio powders, try putting some soda crystals in your wash--it does help. You can buy them in the supermarket from the same section they have Vanish powders, as it's pretty much all the same stuff.

As others have said, use proper soap, wash your clothes on a hotter wash, and leave half an hour or so between showering and applying deodorant.

I have similar problems, and sympathise.

How has this thread got this far without mentioning Zoflora in your washing? I put a capful in my teen sons school shirts & pe kit wash and it works a treat.

I wouldn't worry about sweat patches as long as you don't smell. If the Lush deodorant stops you smelling then that's all that matters.

But also yes to washing your uniform on a higher temperature.