Buzz
Your day begins with you smelling as fresh as a daisy, ready to take on your daily tasks. But by midday, it feels like your freshness has disappeared. Don’t worry, just follow a few simple steps to stay fresh from morning to night! Shower daily, always wear clean clothes, and apply deodorant at night instead of in the morning to maintain a fresh scent throughout the day.
Steps
Maintain Personal Hygiene
Shower or take a bath daily or every other day. To keep your body fresh, shower every day or every two days. This will help remove any unpleasant odors from your skin over the past 24-48 hours. Use warm water instead of hot water, and try not to shower for more than 15 minutes to save water.
Scrub your entire body while showering. Use a washcloth and soap to thoroughly clean your body. Pay special attention to areas behind the ears, the back of your neck, feet, and sweat-prone zones like underarms and between your thighs. Don’t forget to wash your chest, genitals, and buttocks as well.
- If you have sensitive skin, avoid using heavily scented or antibacterial soaps.
- Skip loofahs – they can harbor bacteria! A washcloth or your hands are sufficient for scrubbing.
Wash your hair regularly. Regular hair washing is crucial, as hair tends to trap odors from the environment. Massage shampoo into your scalp to remove dirt and unpleasant smells, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. If desired, apply conditioner, leave it for a few minutes, and rinse with cool water.
- If you have dry hair, wash it every two days or less.
- Avoid over-washing, as it can strip natural oils. Twice a week is usually enough.
Brush your teeth twice daily. To maintain fresh breath, brush your teeth every morning and night. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your brush and use short, vertical, or circular motions. Clean all surfaces of your teeth, gums, and tongue. Aim for about 2 minutes of brushing each time.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months to prevent bacteria buildup and gum damage from worn bristles.
- Don’t forget to floss daily!
Use deodorant and/or antiperspirant at night. This might sound unusual, but applying deodorant or antiperspirant at night instead of the morning allows the product to absorb into your skin and effectively block sweat and odor glands.
- You can even shower in the morning without worrying about the product washing off – it’s already absorbed!
Dealing with Odors
Wear clean clothes every day. Change all your clothing daily, including shirts, shorts, pants, underwear (like bras, panties, and socks), and any garments that touch your skin (such as tank tops, camisoles, or slips). Fresh clothes will help you stay fragrant throughout the day.
- You may need to change socks multiple times a day if your feet tend to sweat or develop odors.
Wash clothes after each wear. Launder your clothes after every use to eliminate lingering odors. The soap you use doesn’t need to be expensive or heavily scented, but it should effectively remove unpleasant smells and leave a fresh scent on the fabric.
- Add ½ cup (120 ml) of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine to neutralize odors and sweat.
Clean your shoes regularly. Shoes are prone to developing odors due to sweat and bacteria buildup if not cleaned frequently. When your shoes get dirty or smelly, toss them in the washing machine and let them dry in the sun. Between washes, stuff them with newspaper overnight to absorb odors. You can also add dryer sheets to keep them smelling fresh.
- For non-washable shoes, use cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol to wipe the interior and kill bacteria.
- Rotate between multiple pairs of shoes if possible. Alternate pairs to allow each one time to dry and air out.
Avoid spicy foods, onions, and garlic. While these foods are healthy, their odors can seep through your pores and cause bad breath. Alcohol and red meat can also alter your body’s natural scent, so try to limit your intake of these items. Instead, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Stay hydrated. Keeping your body well-hydrated helps maintain skin moisture, allowing lotions or perfumes to linger longer. Men should aim for 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water daily, while women should drink 11.5 cups (2.7 liters).
Use a pleasantly scented moisturizer. After showering, apply a fragrant lotion to your skin. If you plan to use perfume or body mist, choose complementary or similar scents to avoid clashing or overpowering fragrances. Reapply moisturizer as needed, such as after washing your hands.
Apply your favorite fragrance. When using perfume or body mist, target pulse points like your wrists, behind your ears, the nape of your neck, behind your knees, and the inside of your elbows. This helps the scent last longer as your body heat releases it throughout the day.
- For a subtler scent, spray the fragrance into the air and walk through it.
- Avoid rubbing perfume into your skin, like rubbing your wrists together, as this can break down the scent and make it fade faster.
Touch-Ups Throughout the Day
Prepare a kit with essentials you might need. Gum, mints, mouthwash, wet wipes (for freshening up underarms or other areas), deodorant, perfume or body mist, foot deodorant, scented lotion, a spare shirt, and extra socks are all items you should keep handy. Store them in a small bag in your desk drawer, backpack, or car trunk.
- When needed, grab the bag and head to the restroom for a quick refresh.
Change your shirt or socks as needed. This is a simple yet effective way to stay fresh all day! If your shirt or socks are sweaty or smelly, swap them for clean ones. Place the used items in a sealed plastic bag to contain odors, and remember to take them home for washing.
Freshen your breath with gum, mints, or mouthwash. If using mouthwash, opt for an alcohol-free variety. Alcohol dries out your mouth, which can actually cause bad breath. Chewing gum or sucking on mints stimulates saliva production, and mint-flavored options leave your breath feeling fresh.
Reapply deodorant as needed. After exercising, sweating heavily, or noticing unpleasant body odor, feel free to reapply deodorant throughout the day. Use wet wipes or a damp cloth to clean your underarms first, pat dry with a soft tissue, and then reapply your deodorant.
Spritz on perfume or body mist. If your fragrance tends to fade quickly, give it a quick refresh. Avoid over-spraying; a light mist on your ankles or wrists will allow your body heat to naturally diffuse the scent.
Steps
- Place a few dryer sheets or a fragrant soap bar in your closet to keep your clothes smelling fresh.
- If you have gym class at school, remember to bring deodorant or perfume and store it in your locker for use after showering.
Warnings
- Excessive sweating could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Consult a doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
