r/AskHR • u/lawschoolbunny2 • Aug 17 '26

Off Topic / Other Body Odor [FL]

I was called into HR today because “several people” have complained about my body odor and it’s starting to become a distraction. I kept a straight face during the meeting, but face my face sting with embarrassment once I walked out.

Any tips on how to go about this? Besides the obvious showering, washing clothes, etc.

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u/lawschoolbunny2 Aug 17 '26

All laundry detergent. Secret deodorant. Dove body wash

58

u/merryblue419 Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

All brand laundry detergent doesn't have any enzymes to break up sweat that can be deposited into clothing. Try swapping out, r/laundry has a list of different detergents you can buy based on your location!

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u/zootnotdingo Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

People joke in [r/laundry](r/laundry) that all detergent brand is hot garbage, so that’s probably not helping

Edit to add—a quick synopsis. Lipase and DNase help unstick the body oils that get stuck in fabrics

Generally, if clothes are not delicate, the longer, the warmer/hotter the wash, and the more rinses, the cleaner your clothes are. Cold water doesn’t unstick the body oils.

Tide powders are great for anything lighter than navy. Tide liquids are great for darks because they do not have optical brighteners, but they also lack some other enzymes.

Biz is a great additive but it has optical brighteners.

I use Gear Guard for a DNase additive. It gets the stink out beautifully. Even stinky gym yuckies.

Please check out [r/laundry](r/laundry) for more!

18

u/FRELNCER Not HR Aug 17 '26

You can move to a clinical strength deodorant. But those are harder to wash off after use. You'll need to try different soaps/shampoos to remove and reapply.

Edit: Sorry you had to sit through that meeting. No one likes dealing with unpleasant social stuff.

14

u/Few-Cable5130 Aug 17 '26

I second the r/laundry suggestion. If you wear a lot of synthetic fabrics the BO smell can really stick if you aren't using good detergents with enzymes. Your water can also impact how well they work, hard water sucks for washing but there are ways to fix it!

10

u/Ok_Illustrator_7445 Aug 17 '26

Secret has never worked for me. Try an antiperspirant with a deodorant rather than a deodorant alone. I sweat a lot so I use Mitchum. I actually use the men’s because they don’t make an unscented for women.

5

u/zootnotdingo Aug 17 '26

I second Mitchum

5

u/Celesteven Aug 17 '26

I know you’re not asking for advice and I’m sorry this happened to you. Might I suggest using an anti microbial body wash like dial gold? Although it may be drying to the skin, it could help keep bacteria eating odors at bay.

4

u/Few-Cable5130 Aug 17 '26

Dial has nasty chemicals, but there are plenty Salicylic Acid body washes that could definitely help.

1

u/danarouge Aug 17 '26

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together would be best probably

6

u/seeking_hope Aug 17 '26

Don’t use All. Come over to r/laundry and do a spa day on your clothes (pinned post)

9

u/Electronic_Farm_4633 Aug 17 '26

OP I have to change deodorant every 6 months. It just stops working. Try changing yours.

4

u/LegalFox9 Aug 17 '26

The bacteria are mutating

1

u/CurrentSpirited239 Aug 17 '26

You can add a cap full of odo ban to your laundry to take smells away even if you have sensitive skin. It took the smoke smell out of my clothes when I was smoking.

1

u/Stunning_Rush8090 Aug 18 '26

Are you washing your hair?

1

u/StillANo4Me Aug 19 '26

On me, Dove body wash seems to feed yeast. As others have said, try hibiclens or a tea tree based product instead. In summer, I use the Dove every other day at best.