PLEASE HELP! WE ARE THE SMELLY FAMILY! WHAT CAN I DO??

[debka]

My mum just said that my house, me, DH and DDs have a distinctive and not-entirely-pleasant smell. DD1 is 3 and my mum is worried that she will be The Smelly Girl in school :(

I am horrified at this. I had no idea.

DDs are small and I am a SAHM. I probably don't clean enough- probably a good going over once every 3 weeks a fortnight. Clothes all washed frequently. Girls bathed daily, I shower every other day.

DH, however, is another matter. He has a wash and cleans his teeth every day, but only showers about once a month, if that. Underwear changed daily, t-shirt probably twice a week. I don't notice him smelling, but apparently he does :( I will talk to him about it but I doubt he will do anything. If I get the house and linen etc in tip top sparkly condition will he infect it all with smelliness? :(

Please, any ideas, advice, encouragement very welcome.

Absolutely related to the non airing Deb. You really have to air every day.

When you say nappies go out every other day, do you mean disposables? If so, why don't they go out every day? Because to be honest, in a house with no ventilation, which is warm and dampt that really is not gong to help!

I am getting a whiff of Trouser Smell from here, and it looks like Winnybella is too. Debka, tell your DH we can smell him from Paris.

My inlaws house has a horrible smell imo and it is spotlessly clean! I don't think they air the house enough and need to open the windows daily. I think they don't because of heating? Also they use a deep fat fryer quite often (well maybe once a week) and although it is properly cleaned every time (did I mention that the house is SPOTLESS!!!) the cooking smell lingers.
Even after they've stayed at our house I have to open the windows to get rid of the wierd smell.

scarlet that's what I think- smelly bedding and I'm picking up his smelly smell from the bed. I change the sheets about every fortnight, but will do it once a week now.

I have had a word with him, I think he was a bit embarrassed. I'll keep nagging mentioning it to him...

I think airing the house is the key here tbh.

Ok, if he only washes his hair everyday, but the rest stays filthy for a whole month ...

Surely you realise that it isn't normal? Are you not worried?

And what Stratters said.

Sorry but I am disgusted that your dh showers once a month.

It takes a lot for someone to have that very difficult conversation with you. It must have been awful to have to say and awful to hear.

But at least you know now.

Your husband sounds minging, he really does. He needs to start paying attention to his personal hygiene.

More cleaning is the key here. Cleaning, clearing and airing. And washing clothes after each wear. If he's wearing a tshirt for several days then it's going to stink.

Hopefully he will see that it is not good to smell and he will want to do something about it. If not, then perhaps the words "I don't want to have sex with someone who smells" might help.

No, DP is the key.

Oh Lord. He showers once a month and you change the sheets once every two weeks???

I am not a house goddess by any stretch of imagination, but this is disgusting.

He needs to shower. Every day. Ewwww.

Also, clean your washing machine. Your DP needs to pit up with the draughts, stale air is very unhealthy.

DP to GP perhaps?

I feel so sorry for you, that must have been horrible to hear. I hope you're OK. :)

Yes, airing the house will help, but he also needs to shower every day if he's to be allowed share a bed with you!! Put your foot down!!!

Shower once a month

What about a vat some Febreeze?

He does sound minging doesn't he. I was vaguely aware of him being a skank (thanks SarahStratton, spot on!), but now I actually take the time to think about it, I am disgusted. O God I have my work cut out, don't I :(

The mouldy smell gets everywhere and your DH is probably quite unpleasant. DH is a daily showerer and smells iffy right before he gets into the shower. He's the reason my bed linen gets changed every couple of days here.

I don't think you need to hoover every day, though, as someone suggested...but then I don't have carpets in my house...but even when I did, I would never have managed to hoover every day!

Does he work? If so it is only a matter of time before HR pulls him in for an embarrassing discussion about personal hygiene and BO. Somebody will be bound to have complained. Smelly people are the worst to work alongside. Sorry.

I am amazed he only showers once a month, and that nappies are taken out every two days.

How often do you clean the loo, the loo brush, and wash towels?

I have a very sensitive nose. I would possibly not survive your house.

The lack of airing will make all your clothes smell too. DH has a friend who lives in a house where wet washing is left hanging around and windows aren't opened. The whole family smell musty and yuck

Will someone please hide this thread from GetOrf. She'll give herself a hernia.

Thank you all for being so kind.

It was hard to hear but I'm glad I know, just imagine, I've been The Smelly One. At least I can take matters in hand now.

But you shouldn't have to make him shower... He's not 12 yo fgs!

Doesn't he realise he practically hums?

I feel very srry for you

It really does sound as if he could do with a trip to the GPs to see if he's depressed. Would he consider that?