Selfsufficientish.com

It's funny how I can come on here and ask anything without feeling embarrassed. I don't know if it's because the internet is so annonymous, or if I've just reached a certain age where I don't care anymore. I suspect the latter.

Anyway, I stink!

I got a bit lazy and started using spray deodorant that was so convenient when I needed it, and since then my armpits started to smell bad very quickly. So I stopped using it and there was a great improvement. I made some home-made deodorant following instructions in a book, I think it was cornflour, bicarb and a herb - I chose lemon thyme. That helps with the smell when I need it, but I'm really just trying to keep the pits clean and not in need of any 'help'. However, there is one part at the top of my right armpit that I can't stop smelling! It doesn't matter how well, how carefully or how frequently I wash it. It's OK just after I was it, but within an hour it starts to pong again.

Any suggestions before I become lonely?

Sorry honey, but I think you'll need to keep on with the bicarb. The rest is unnecessary really, although pleasant. If you don't get wet, you don't need the cornflour, and the thyme smells lovely but it doesn't get rid of the smell - the bicarb does that - it just replaces it.

I don't think it works like the "no shamppo" thing - if you don't do it it'll improve by itself. As Susie says it's the bacteria which cause the smell and as they're part of your natural skin fauna and flora you don't really want to get rid - just control a bit!

So just keep a little pot of bicarb handy and a cotton wool ball and just dab a little on each day - about as simple as you can get I'm afraid

Hi Rosendula,

I've had very similar problems when i went back to normal spray deodorant from using that rub-on crystal rock deodorant stuff. No idea why, i was just so stinky when i used the spray, and when i didn't use it. It's settling down a bit now i'm using the crystal deodorant again. maybe it's just a matter of getting used to a new deodorant over time?
(and i know what you mean- one bit of my armpits always goes off long before the rest, no idea why, clean it scrupulously! sorry, this isn't a thread for comparing B.O is it! )

Bryony

I use that rub on crystal stuff too, wouldnt change to anything else now, its cheap and lasts for ages

i watched Grow Your Own Drugs the other day and there was a great recipe for deodarant!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/growyo ... ode3.shtml

Recipe is at the bottom of the page. Can't recommend it as I've never used it myself however it looks great.

Personally I go deodorant free except for when I'm working (my uniform is a horrible nylon tshirt which really smells when you sweat!!), so then I use a crystal which has lasted me for about 3 years and has barely worn down.

I use plain lavendar oil, just dab some on, I get bitten less too.

I've been using a mineral deodorant stone thingy for about a year and it works very well - it really does seem to neutralise any smell, no matter how hot I get. I would never go back to using any other deodorant now.

I use the crystal one and it works fine - although it does seem to work better on shaved pits

Crystal thingy fan here too. Bought a bit one about three years ago and am still using it. Just either rub in on wet pits after showering or wet it under the tap and rub on. I have a small pump action water bottle (about 30ml) which I fill with water when camping so that I can use it in the tent to freshen up when necessary and can honestly say it's far more effective and far cheaper than anything I've ever used previously and without the horrible unnatural scents which used to make me want to vomit.

I use a vegetable gel based deodorant from MMU cosmetics.

however...i did make a rather fab deodorant that was a bit like a lip balm, but bigger and designed to be used on the pits. There's a recipe around the forum somewhere (and there's a thread where i tried the stainless steel disc thingy - don't ever do it!!).

If you ca't find the recipe, then poke me and i'll dig it out.

I absolutely loved it and only stopped using it because MMU wanted people to try theirs, and i love theirs even more.

This thread has prompted me to do an experiment! I have the crystal but don't find it works very well, but then it's very hot here and I'm BFing which seems to make me honk too. So I'm going to try using the crystal then dustng with bicarb, I did it last night, so far so good.

Thanks everyone. I prefer to go deodorant-free, so I'll keep up with the bicarb until the dodgy pit recovers, like Green Aura says. I have to say, despite not being embarrassed to tell you all I stink, I do feel embarrassed that I have never heard of this crystal thing that is so popular amongst you all. I'm intrigued and I will investigate further as OH uses a phenomenal amount of stinky spray, which he puts on in the kitchen, usually while I'm preparing food Drives me mad it does. Although he's not very Ish, he does like saving money.

I must just be lucky - or I might not have a keen sense of smell But I hardly use deodorant at all - usually on 'special' occasions... and I find that since stopping the deodorant thing, I keep quite fresh smelling... or like I say, maybe I just can't smell it...?? We do have a huge tub of baby talc left over from Leah living with us, so I use that after a shower, but nothing else.

Hubby, however, also doesn't have a bad problem with bo - BUT,,, before he goes off to work, he uses a mans body spray - ok, he uses it in the bathroom, but it lingers for hours! Every time I go in there, I'm eating the stuff
Like Rosie's hubby, he's not too 'Ish', just appreciates saving the money, but that's one thing he refuses to give up.... shame....

JulieSherris wrote: ok, he uses it in the bathroom, but it lingers for hours! Every time I go in there, I'm eating the stuff

I know what you mean. My eldest daughter sprays hers all over her bedroom and onto the landing and my son sprays his all over his room and the landing, too. Some mornings when they both wake around the same time it almost knocks me off my feet before I'm halfway up the stairs So I suppose I should be grateful OH doesn't spray his upstairs as well. And to be fair, he does stand as far away from any food as he can when he uses it, but it still drifts and I reckon if I can smell it, it's there! I do wonder sometimes if they actually get any on their armpits or if they just lift their arms and spray right past I don't know how I got back into the habbit of using the stuff. It was only a few weeks but the results have probably put me off for life.

I use unperfumed antiperspirant but I had to buy some in England as the only brand who made that in France stopped making it.

However I keep getting itchy armpits so sometimes I have to not put anything on at all and then I stink of BO and have to wash at lunchtime as well sometimes. Though if I put on the dermatological cream (on prescription) for itchiness it stops me smelling! My pits are a real pain in the bum!