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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:
EmilyGilmoresSass · 19/01/2023 07:09

I have scalp psoriasis and GP advised washing hair everyday makes it worse and to only wash it twice a week. Maybe OP is similar, or maybe she doesn't have time to wash it everyday. I'm astounded how many people do.

Patienceisntvirtuous · 19/01/2023 07:09

If you like sickly/sweet-smelling things, pink sugar range by Aquolina. I absolutely love that and it is quite over powering, so might work!

holierthanthou73 · 19/01/2023 07:11

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.

I was going to say that too, but wasn’t sure if it was a daft suggestion. Glad someone else thinks like me

yousmellnice · 19/01/2023 07:14

Also go for a cleansing shampoo rather than a moisturising one etc.

RampantIvy · 19/01/2023 07:14

I have a friend with a horse and I can confirm that she always smells of horse and often leaves bits of hay on my floor when she visits

Agree with ditching the (sickly fruity) shower gel for bars of soap and washing hair every day.

liveforsummer · 19/01/2023 07:19

I've had horses nearly all my life and can confirm it's your hair. If the horses have straw beds it will be 100x worse too. I'm afraid washing your hair is the only option. You aren't masking that whiff with anything. Also might be worth using a removable car seat cover on your car for when in horsey clothes and removing your yard boots before getting in the car. Leave them on site if you can or at least bagged and in the boot. Same with coat.

Ladybug14 · 19/01/2023 07:20

Find out what it is that smells

If its your hair then wash hair every day or wear a tight cap/hat/shower cap

If its your clothes clean your washing machine

If its your skin, use something like cidal soap

liveforsummer · 19/01/2023 07:23

EmilyGilmoresSass · 19/01/2023 07:09

I have scalp psoriasis and GP advised washing hair everyday makes it worse and to only wash it twice a week. Maybe OP is similar, or maybe she doesn't have time to wash it everyday. I'm astounded how many people do.

I don't wash it every single day - but I do every time I've been at the yard and our horses live out and have shavings beds so the smell isn't nearly as strong as it could potentially be with stabled straw beds. If I had psoriasis I'd have to choose whether to not make that worse and smell or the other way around. Not washing it isn't an option if you want to not smell (and I doubt piling scented products on as an alternative would help in this situation either)

LadyGAgain · 19/01/2023 07:29

Why can't you wash your hair everyday? Beauty products can't mask strong smells. Horses are strong smells!

Tiffan · 19/01/2023 07:32

Yeah you're not going to be able to mask a smell that's entrenched in your hair.
Wash it.
If you use something without SLS in it you'll be able to wash without it drying out.

MontyK · 19/01/2023 07:35

Wear a hat at all times to cover your hair. Never meet people in your yard clothes.

MissMarplesbag · 19/01/2023 07:46

I wrap my hair in a scarf when I fry onions or cook curry as my hair is porous and soaks up smells quickly.

Use a bar of soap to wash first before using gels as bars really do clean off muck. I use Dettol bar soap (Tescos & Superdrugs).

Thighlengthboots · 19/01/2023 07:50

EmilyGilmoresSass · 19/01/2023 07:09

I have scalp psoriasis and GP advised washing hair everyday makes it worse and to only wash it twice a week. Maybe OP is similar, or maybe she doesn't have time to wash it everyday. I'm astounded how many people do.

Why astounded? I have very oily hair and if I dont wash it, I get a build up of sweat, oil and DHT, moist hair increases fungal growth which can cause hair loss in some people. I was advised by a dermatologist to wash daily and my hair is much healthier now. I accept not everyone can wash every day (eg if you have thick, dry, or curly hair) but its not really astounding that many of us do.

Rebel2023 · 19/01/2023 07:56

LadyGAgain · 19/01/2023 07:29

Why can't you wash your hair everyday? Beauty products can't mask strong smells. Horses are strong smells!

It could be curly. I don't have the time to wash mine daily - it's a min of an hour to diffuse to about 80% dry!
Tend to wear a scarf or shower cap if I'm doing anything like cooking onions so it doesn't pick up scents

janeeyreair · 19/01/2023 08:01

I think it could be clothing, I have noticed that even after washing some items can still smell of ammonia. Also unless I clean washing machine with bleach and a hot wash other non horsy items can pick up the smell.

Do you keep non horsy clothing completely separate? Even when its clean?

Also your car is likely to smell especially the seats, so sitting on your seat with heater on for 15/20 mins will mean your non horsy jeans etc will have picked up the smell.

figmaofmyimagination · 19/01/2023 08:06

As has been said, I would:
Shower every day with soap (not shower gel) and wash your hair every day that you possibly can, use a thick and/or leave-in conditioner to try and get your hair less porous over time, and put your hair up and under a hat whilst mucking out.

maddy68 · 19/01/2023 08:12

Horse smell gets into everything and it's so strong. You can't mask it. (I have had horses all my life ) you car smells too my advice is. Strip off as soon as you come in. Leave wellies outside on the step.

You DO need to wash your hair everyday. It lingers in your hair
You need to wash all your clothes every day

CleanBedding · 19/01/2023 08:19

I wouldn't want to wash my hair every day either, it's a waste of time for one thing. What about tying a scarf round your head to cover your hair while you're with the horses? It was good enough for our late queen...

Please help me- I’m smelly!
whataboutsecondbreakfast · 19/01/2023 08:22

I suspect the Queen wasn't spending her days ankle deep in mud and covered in hay, shavings, hair, spit and horse poo though Grin

Working with animals is dirty, smelly work - there's no real way to avoid that. Showering and washing your hair daily doesn't take long and is the quickest way to get the smell off.

toothachecrisis · 19/01/2023 08:29

Agree with @CleanBedding . I make curries from scratch and the smell of frying onions and spices slings to my hair, even with the window open. I wear a scarf wrapped round my hair and it helps a lot! Not too long so it's not a health and safety hazard.

toothachecrisis · 19/01/2023 08:30

*clings

AnnaBegins · 19/01/2023 08:31

Hair back in a bun, never muck out with wet hair, wear a hat if possible. Double wash your hair. I've been there Grin

Bigbadmama · 19/01/2023 08:34

I work with horses and keep a completely different set of clothes including coats for yard work. Slightly cleaner coat for riding out. Muck boots are rinsed off at the end of the day and kept outside.
For a long time I used Bronners Peppermint Castile soap in the shower which worked well on getting the smell off my hands. Its expensive but a good investment.
Are you rubbing your head in the muck heap ? Normal shampoo plus conditioner should be good but do you deodorise your crash hat ? Charles Owen do a hat spray. Maybe try a washable liner in your hat or even buy a hat, wash your gloves regularly.
You can buy a washing liquid especially for sports equipment.
Dont go over the top with frangrances. Horses are very sensitive to smell and they probably wont appreciate strong artificial smells.
Good Luck.

HScully · 19/01/2023 09:11

I no longer work with horses but muck out 2 before work every day.

I only wash my hair twice per week it doesn't smell. I keep it tied back and covered up. Google cycle helmet liners on ebay. I put these on under my hat to try to keep my hat/hair fresher. They only cost a few quid so I have a few and wash regularly.

Keep a cheep hand cream at the yard and put it on multiple times a day. Dry skin traps dirt and holds on to smells

I find bar soap more effective than shower gel, turn the water off whilst you scrub or else it gets rinsed off before it can work.

With your laundry aim for fresh rather than scented. A longer cool wash works better for me than a short hotter wash and it more eco

Fabric softener can actually trap smells in. I do use it but not on everything or all the time.

try a vinegar or soda crystal wash if you think there is a build up of products on your clothes.

Do not try to cover smells with scent, if you layer up loads of scents you just smell dirty. Aim to get clean and fresh then use one perfume, scented body lotion that you like.

Ariela · 19/01/2023 10:17

You're doing this wrong. Firstly, outer clothing : get a waterproof coat (and over leggings for a cold day) make sure it's covering your other clothing. Wear long boots for mucking out, rinse them off under the tap when done. Hat - stuff your hair in or tie it back. I use cheap beanies and wash them regularly. Gloves - always wear gloves and use waterproof ones and keep them at the yard, rinse them off under the tap. Always take your outer layer off and leave at the yard/ in back of car, put the boots in a boot bag, clothing in a laundry bag. If you can wash your hands before leaving the yard then do, I always use handcream after. If you think you are still smelly before you get in the car, then Febreeze is your friend.