I feel like I stink!!!

[crunchy_mommy]

Seriously!

I don't know what's up, I never used to stink, maybe I'm preggo ... I feel like no matter what I do lately, I can smell myself... I use castille soap in the shower and baking soda too lately but it doesn't help... I stopped using deodorant a year or so ago because it never made a difference and I didn't like the chemicals... Maybe I need to find a deodorant that works??? Or maybe I need to wash with something else? I'm so grossed out by myself... it's the middle of summer and 90+ degrees... I'm afraid to get near anyone for fear that they'll smell the stink... though DH swears I don't smell (he is the type to tell me when my clothes make me look fat so I trust him but I CAN SMELL IT!!)

[Childbirth_Fanatic]

i would like suggestions as well. I have been deoderant free for over a year

[Annie Mac]

For a while I was using a combination of vinegar, cornstarch and baking soda under my arms. I swabbed on a bit of vinegar with a cotton ball, let it dry, then applied the powder mixture with a big make up brush. It worked pretty well, and didn't smell vinegary. I found though that when I stopped drinking coffee, it was no longer an issue. I guess I didn't sweat as much.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by Annie Mac

For a while I was using a combination of vinegar, cornstarch and baking soda under my arms. I swabbed on a bit of vinegar with a cotton ball, let it dry, then applied the powder mixture with a big make up brush. It worked pretty well, and didn't smell vinegary. I found though that when I stopped drinking coffee, it was no longer an issue. I guess I didn't sweat as much.

This raises a good point...have you checked your diet? Things like garlic or onion can make your sweat smell funny...

[crunchy_mommy]

Hmm I do eat massive amounts of garlic & onions... but I always have, and the "stink" issue has been more the past month or so...

[IndigoKoi]

I was kind of doing deodorant/antiperspirant randomly over the past year, and ever since April, I've been going deodorant free, mostly because I'm at home with my son right now and he could care less how I smell. Anyway, for those days when I do actually go out in public, I've been using Pit Putty for the past week from Bubble and Bee http://www.bubbleandbee.com/ and it is AWESOME!!! It's organic, no chemicals, smells good and most of all it actually works. And the great thing about the company, they are willing to help you find a blend of EO's or a formula that works for you, so if the first deodorant you try for them doesn't seem to work for you you can e-mail them and they will help you figure out a solution even customize something for you, and all you pay is the shipping. I got the Geranium and Lime stick, and so far I'm really loving it.

[crunchy_mommy]

Does it leave white marks? I cannot stand anything that leaves white marks, I seem to be especially prone to them! Otherwise it sounds good...

[milkmamamerina]

A little teatree oil on a cotton ball before dusting my pits with baking soda helped me out last summer.

[IndigoKoi]

The stick version I have doesn't seem to leave white marks, although, it has potential to since the arrowroot powder is whitish. But I rub it in and it seems to be fine. If you aren't worried about moisture absorbent powers, you could try their spray deodorant version which kills the odor causing bacteria and smells good, without the possible white marks from the stick version.

[Callimom]

I've been using a version of this recipe.

It's easy and fast to make and has worked really well for me. I made it in small muffin tins to get pucks (which the blog recommends in an update post) which makes it easier to put on. I did find it a tad irritating after shaving so the second batch I made I upped the oils and added a bit of calendula oil I had steeping which seemed to help with that. It's a bit softer/creamier than the first batch I made so I keep the extras in the fridge and just have one puck out at a time. Next time I make a summer batch I might add a touch of beeswax just to harden it up a bit. I made it using Lime and lavender EO and I LOVE the scent but I might go with something non-citrusy next time.

hth
Karen

[Chicky2]

I use vinegar on a cotton ball, let it dry, then dust w/baking soda and cornstarch, just like a PP. Works so well! I find that as I've gotten older (hormones maybe?) my pits smell worse and this works great.

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

I find that as I've gotten older (hormones maybe?) my pits smell worse and this works great.

That's my hunch, as well. I smell more now than I used to. Probably changing hormones.

To the OP, do you wear a bra? Just in the last few days I'd developed a rather sour odor and finally figured out it was my bra. I'd lost track of when the last time it was washed, and I was wearing it repeatedly with my favorite shirt du jour, in this nasty heat. I'm pretty sure only I could smell this odor, but still, ugh!

[crunchy_mommy]

I do wear a bra but the smell is coming from ME. I feel like even right after I shower I still smell -- so I think a deodorant substitute like the pp's mentioned might help but I still can't figure out why I smell when I'm supposed to be clean, after I ust showered with soap & hot water.

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

I do wear a bra but the smell is coming from ME. I feel like even right after I shower I still smell -- so I think a deodorant substitute like the pp's mentioned might help but I still can't figure out why I smell when I'm supposed to be clean, after I ust showered with soap & hot water.

I really, really think it's hormones. I remember when my oldest dd was 11 and I couldn't stand to be near her. As much as I love her she stunk SO badly to me. I was the ONLY one who could smell it! Her dad couldn't smell it, her bio mom couldn't, my mom couldn't, etc....It was really weird. She stank for about 6-8 mos and then it went away. She would smell like that immediately after showering.

[SheSpeeds]

Coffee

I have a one to one relation to my pits stinking and drinking coffee. The stronger the coffee the sharper the stank. It's not caffiene though higher caffeine quantity in the coffee does make a difference.

I've been deoterant free for all my life. I can use Toms of Maine if I'm planning on having coffee. But this I know about myself. No coffee, no stankity stank. (But how I love java!)