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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Smelly bedroom!!

21 replies

Lmagic · 03/03/2019 20:34

My son is nearly 17, the problem I have is that he spends most of his days/nights in it on his PS4 when he's not at college and his bedroom stinks. I have to hold my breath when I enter!!!

Can any mum recommend a good plug-in or some type of strong scent for his stinky bedroom? The smell is awful :-( xx

OP posts:
Refilona · 03/03/2019 20:40

I think he needs to shower often and clean his own room including changing the bedsheets etc before you try and mask the smell. Does he eat there and leave dirty plates?

Livedandlearned · 03/03/2019 20:42

I buy antibacterial deodorant for my 17 year old ds and that helps. Also opening the window plus advice from pp

Userplusnumbers · 03/03/2019 20:44

Teenage hormone sweat is the worst. Frequent showers, bedding changes, and airing out is the only sensible course of action.

Also, he's 17, so pretty much any reason you have to go into his room could be quite easily overcome - then you won't have to suffer!

Iggly · 03/03/2019 20:45

He needs to open his window every day!!!

DilysMoon · 03/03/2019 20:55

Windows open every day, no food upstairs, fresh bedding and regular showers and clean clothes. Encourage slippers so sweaty feet aren't soaking in to the carpet in the spot he sits to play ps4, maybe sprinkle bicarb on the carpet to soak up odour and then hoover.

I think start with a thorough clean and then try and stick to the above, better than masking the smell.

ILiveInSalemsLot · 03/03/2019 21:00

I agree with all of the above plus lookout for smelly laundry and trainers lying around. Bicarbonate of soda sprinkled in trainers works well.

greenelephantscarf · 03/03/2019 21:01

he needsto open his windowa few times a day, sort out his laundry and wash regularly.

Original poster
Lmagic · 03/03/2019 21:17

Thanks all for the advice 😊 x

OP posts:
lorn195 · 04/08/2019 17:00

@Livedandlearned could I ask what antibacterial deodorant you buy. Struggling with smelly t-shirts TIA

fedup21 · 04/08/2019 17:03

No plug in or strong scent will do any good if you don’t sort out the cause.

Livedandlearned · 04/08/2019 20:36

It's the Sure one. Black and red. Good luckWine

mineofuselessinformation · 04/08/2019 20:43

Another tip:
When he's not around, go in and open drawers, wardrobe etc.
He might have put some smelly clothes away which aren't adding to the atmosphere! If so, take them and wash them.
Tell him what you've done though, so he knows not to do it again.

MyRaGaiaStarFishPieA · 04/08/2019 20:59

Pit rock salt block deodorant is AMAZING at reducing smells as the bacteria can't live and thrive on the skin that's treated with it. You just have a quick rub when you are fresh out of the shower. I also buy my boys a scented deodorant and they double up. Yes to slippers or totes rubbery socks, any foot cover that can be washed. I also made covers for their computer chairs as they stunk to high heaven with ingrained teen stench. Bedding change once a week and a shower daily before bed.

lorn195 · 04/08/2019 22:35

@Livedandlearned and @MyRaGaiaStarFishPieA many thanks for the suggestions. Will be trying these out.

OrangeGroveIsland · 05/08/2019 14:01

Agree with others.

I think you need to (gently) show him several times. Rinse and repeat. Hopefully he'll get the hang of it.

OrangeGroveIsland · 05/08/2019 14:02

By show him and explain I mean also get him him to physically do it - change sheets, do his washing etc.

dottycat123 · 12/08/2019 06:42

The bedding is often the stinking culprit, I find it needs washing much more often than usual.

BrokenWing · 12/08/2019 13:40

ds(15)'s room is starting to smell with his body aromas, just in the last few weeks. He showers every morning and after gym sessions so no issues there.

Part of it I am sure is down to gasses from his terrible summer holidays diet (sorry TMI) 🤮. Windows are kept open all day, door kept open if he is out.

Other than that, no food is allowed in the room. Keep on top of laundry, laundry basket and regularly wash bedding.

lorn195 · 13/08/2019 07:55

Thanks to all. I have bought pit rok and sure anti bacterial as suggested and it's working well. Even DH mentioned that the teen was smelling sweet! I regularly change the bedding and open windows so no problem there. Tbh he's surprised us all by not lounging around in his pyjamas when he's not working. 😀

chergar · 13/08/2019 08:02

OP are you me? I could have written this exact post, I don't go in ds (16) bedroom now, he has windows and curtains closed all the time, even on the hottest of days. The heat and smell hit as soon as you open the door.

It is disgusting, I hope he grows out of it soon.

Northernmum100 · 13/08/2019 18:10

I am told they grow out of it - please God let this be soon...
Ds showers every day, clean clothes every day, window open all the time and bedding washed frequently and his room still stinks.
Currently trying a Neutradol gel freshener and ban on trainers in there to see if that improves things....

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