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AIBU?

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Original poster

Please help me- I’m smelly!

88 replies

stinkey6 · 19/01/2023 02:12

Sort of lighthearted thread, but also very serious and genuine!

I work with horses and permanently smell of them- usually a combo of poo, ammonia, horse sweat, fly spray and so on. Sometimes I don’t smell it but my friends and family do. I think it clings to my hair- I shower everyday but obviously before I’m meeting friends/working/doing something non horsey I’ll change my clothes, shower and get rid of any horsey smells but I can’t wash my hair every single day so I wonder if that’s where the smell comes from or if it’s just clinging to me in general.

does anyone have any nice go to sprays or products they use? Not for a replacement for showering and getting freshened obviously, I just want to treat myself to a nice smell that actually lasts as the ones I’m using don’t last very long.

I really like sweet/sugary/fruity products- I absolutely love lush snowfairy spray and body products but unfortunately it’s available at xmas only , and I used to love the body shop strawberry shower gel (in a big round tub) because the smells actually lasted and I adored the scent whereas the products I’m using now don’t seem to last or make a difference even when I’m showered, out my horse clothes etc

so what’s your favourite body product/spray/general product? Preferably something sweet and sickly like the producers I mentioned haha

OP posts:
Original poster
stinkey6 · 19/01/2023 02:17

By products I mean shower gel, moisturiser, scrub, spray, perfume, basically anything at all with a nice lasting smell lol.

OP posts:
Mumuser124 · 19/01/2023 02:27

Do you double wash your hair? I was exposed regularly to cigarette smoke whilst working and was told I always smelt of cigarettes. My hair dresser advised to wash my hair twice and it really helped, I also noticed the difference.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 19/01/2023 02:32

Why can’t you wash your hair every day?

saltinesandcoffeecups · 19/01/2023 02:36

Crud posted too soon… please don’t be that person that layers scents over stink. It doesn’t work and you’ll end up smelling like strawberry poo.

If your hair is drying out from washing everyday, then you need to find better products… Aveda is what I use and they have shampoos and conditioners + hydrating leave in products that don’t dry out hair.

CanadianJohn · 19/01/2023 02:42

You might try posting in the "tack room", which is part of the pets forum. I'm sure lots of horse-people have the same problem.

Fraaahnces · 19/01/2023 02:42

Sometimes scents over smells just make them worse. You probably also need to look at properly soaking your clothes or allocating clothes for horses and clothes for everywhere else. Also scrubbing finger and toenails with nail brush to get rid of residual dander and dirt. (My son has anaphylaxis to horses and we have been told that if he is to ever have a partner with horses they must shower, shampoo, scrub nails and change clothes & shoes completely into ones that have never been near horses because their hair and dander clings.)

EllieM27 · 19/01/2023 02:43

I have horses and I wash my hair every day. You really have to if you’re going to be around them daily. The fine particles from hay/bedding/god knows what absolutely settle in your hair and make you smell like stable, and I don’t like having my hair up in my helmet without washing it after either.

Start enjoying daily hair washing, OP. 😁

KimberleyClark · 19/01/2023 05:14

Mumuser124 · 19/01/2023 02:27

Do you double wash your hair? I was exposed regularly to cigarette smoke whilst working and was told I always smelt of cigarettes. My hair dresser advised to wash my hair twice and it really helped, I also noticed the difference.

Do you mean lathering up and rinsing twice? I’ve always done that.

ZekeZeke · 19/01/2023 06:06
  1. Wash your hair every day.
  2. Change around your soaps/shower gels, don't use the same ones every day.
whataboutsecondbreakfast · 19/01/2023 06:18

Why can't you wash your hair everyday? Confused

I work with animals (mainly dogs, but sometimes horses too) and I ride - I shower everyday after work, wash my hair and put all my clothes in the wash. I would really smell if I didn't.

DinDjarin · 19/01/2023 06:19

I would have thought the first step would be to wash every day Confused

If your hair smells and you lie on a pillow (or any fabric you come into contact with), you're just transferring it to your pillow which then you transfer back once you use it again after you've washed.

Zanatdy · 19/01/2023 06:33

I’m going to say you have to wash your hair daily too if you want to get rid of the smell. I shared a pony for 18 months and I used to love jumping in the shower afterwards as it was so needed. I definitely couldn’t have just showered and not washed my hair. It needs doing when you’re around horses

Oysterbabe · 19/01/2023 06:36

Echoing everyone else, wash your hair every day.

mickandrorty · 19/01/2023 06:37

i use aussie leave in conditioner it smells like sweets and is lovely & dkny be delicious in the green bottle it smells like apples i often get told i smell nice

35965a · 19/01/2023 06:44

Use soap, not shower gel. Shower gel smells nice but it doesn’t actually seem to clean properly. Proper soap like Pears is so much better.

Youll probably have to wash your hair every day, unfortunately. Lather and rinse twice. Dry shampoo won’t get rid of the horsey smell.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 19/01/2023 06:49

Bars of soap and yes to washing hair twice everyday without fail. Absolutely no to sprays to try and cover it up as it makes it worse. Would probably be worth washing your pillow or replacing too.

BoxOfCats · 19/01/2023 06:55

Unsure why you can't wash your hair everyday. Mine is quite oily and I'd prefer not to wash it every day but it's a must.

boboshmobo · 19/01/2023 07:00

I have thick curly hair and it takes 2 hours to wash and diffuse . I totally understand why the op can't wash to every day . She probably doesn't have time!

I use to have horses and my nickname was pigpen so I feel your pain..

One thing I'll say is do you change your shoes before you get in your car and have car seat covers you can wipe down because it will be in your car otherwise and therefore transferred back again to you .

yousmellnice · 19/01/2023 07:01

You need proper soap not shower gel. A bar of soap.

Lonecatwithkitten · 19/01/2023 07:03

If you can't find ash your hair every day west a shower cap when mucking out this makes a massive difference.

SnarkyBag · 19/01/2023 07:03

as Well as washing hair everyday you might need to think about your washing machine. DH’s work clothes stink and we’ve found putting soda crystals in with the wash and doing an intensive cycle has made a huge difference. I now put soda crystals in every wash I do. Never get fusty smelling clothes when they dry indoors now. Agree with making sure you have seat covers for the car too.

Thighlengthboots · 19/01/2023 07:05

Lonecatwithkitten · 19/01/2023 07:03

If you can't find ash your hair every day west a shower cap when mucking out this makes a massive difference.

This- either wash your hair every day or completely cover it up. There is no spray or dry shampoo that will remove horse smell- dry shampoos are designed to remove hair sebum and sweat, they wont get rid of smells that have attached to your hair so the only choice is either to wash it daily or prevent the smell getting on it in the first place by using a swim cap type of thing.

WorriedMillie · 19/01/2023 07:06

Echo the advice to wear a hat when mucking out, it definitely helps!

TheLastDreamOfTheOak · 19/01/2023 07:07

My hair is very porous and I need to wash it every day or else it smells like whatever I've been doing it wherever I've been. I used to do social work visits in peoples houses -which sometimes weren't the cleanest-and I could smell the in in my hair still at the end of the day Envy. Hair wash every day is the only answer Unfortunately. You Could try lush shampoo bar and then some leave in conditioner and dry naturally if you are pushed for time and your hair allows it?

Dontevenstart · 19/01/2023 07:08

saltinesandcoffeecups · 19/01/2023 02:36

Crud posted too soon… please don’t be that person that layers scents over stink. It doesn’t work and you’ll end up smelling like strawberry poo.

If your hair is drying out from washing everyday, then you need to find better products… Aveda is what I use and they have shampoos and conditioners + hydrating leave in products that don’t dry out hair.

Sorry but strawberry poo made me howl