How to Avoid Smelling Like Alcohol

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 14, 2024 Fact Checked

The smell of alcohol has been known to linger. For several hours after drinking, or in the morning after a night out, your breath and skin can still give off an alcohol scent. Fortunately, by consuming the right foods and drinks, and by following some grooming guidelines, you can successfully mask that alcohol smell. Furthermore, you there are some steps you can take to avoid smelling like alcohol in the first place.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Consuming Masking Foods and Drinks

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Eat foods with garlic and onion. The most effective way to conceal the scent of alcohol is to eat equally stinky foods. Try eating foods with garlic and onion for breakfast.^{[1]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Some ideas include:
- Breakfast omelette
- Savory breakfast scones
- Savory crepes
2
Drink coffee. Another stinky consumable item that is effective at covering the smell of alcohol is coffee. Have a cup of coffee in the morning, and continue drinking coffee throughout the day. If you are sensitive to caffeine, switch to decaf.^{[2]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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- Be aware that coffee breath can be offensive too.
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3
Have peanut butter for lunch. Peanut butter is also effective at concealing alcohol breath. Consider packing a peanut buttery treat in your lunch for the day. Some ideas include:
- Ants on a log
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- Noodles with peanut sauce
Drinking plenty of water is the best way to flush out your system and eradicate (rather than just cover) the scent of alcohol. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kg), try to drink 75 fluid ounces (2.2 l). Good news: water is also the best cure for a hangover.^{[3]
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As your body metabolizes alcohol, the scent can reappear on your breath. Help to keep it at bay by regularly chewing gum or using breath mints throughout your day.^{[4]
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Cynthia Kuhn, Pharmacologist and Neuroscience Researcher

As we navigate situations involving alcohol, whether social or professional, it is important to comprehend its effects, both obvious and subtle. The lingering scent it can leave behind, for example, can have an impact. To prevent carrying such an aroma, moderating consumption, staying hydrated, and practicing good dental hygiene are wise choices. These actions help minimize physical odors, and also promote a healthy affiliation with alcohol. In essence, to enjoy alcohol in a responsible, conscientious manner, awareness, moderation, and fully understanding its wide-ranging effects are key.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Grooming Techniques

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Brush your teeth and use mouthwash. It is true that brushing your teeth alone is not enough to get rid of the alcohol scent, but it is still a crucial and important first step. Brush your teeth thoroughly with minty toothpaste, and follow with mint-flavored mouthwash.^{[5]
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- You may want to bring your dental hygiene items along with you and repeat this later in the day.
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Exercise in the morning. 20-30 minutes of vigorous cardio in the morning can help your body to process any excess alcohol and sweat out some of the alcohol smell. Some ideas for working up a sweat include:
- Running
- Jumping rope
- Dancing to music
- Doing step aerobics
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Take a shower. Just like toothbrushing, you may have heard that taking a shower alone is not enough to keep that alcohol scent away. But this doesn’t mean you should skip the shower! Take a good, long shower. Wash your hair and use scented soap.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If you plan to exercise, wait until afterward to shower.
4
Cover up the smell of your perspiration. As your day goes on, you are liable to start sweating. This can re-release the smell of alcohol on you. You can combat this by applying deodorant after your shower. You might also sprinkle some baby powder onto your body to absorb any additional sweat and keep you smelling fresh.^{[7]
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- You may want to re-apply these products later in the day.
- If you are sweating a lot, you may want to change into clean clothes about halfway through your day.
A little spritz can go a long way toward covering up the smell of booze. Use a bit of your favorite scent. Avoid overdoing it. Instead consider reapplying perfume/cologne a little later in the day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing the Smell of Alcohol

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Drink in moderation. The best way to avoid an alcohol odor is to prevent it before it occurs. Limit yourself to 1-2 drinks per day, or up to 3 for special events.^{[8]
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Research source} The following amounts are equal to “1 drink”:
- 12 fluid ounces (350 ml) of beer
- 5 fluid ounces (150 ml) of wine
- 1.5 fluid ounces (44 ml) of distilled spirits (80 proof)
For every beer, glass of wine, or cocktail you consume, drink 1 glass of water. This will prevent you from overdoing it, and help your body to better process the alcohol. This can help prevent any alcohol smell.
3
Clean your clothing, including your outerwear. Anytime you wear an article of clothing out to a party or bar, be sure to clean it afterward. This is especially true for outerwear (like jackets, coats, and hats) and dress clothing (like suit jackets). Having these items cleaned will reduce your chances of carrying around a lingering alcohol odor.^{[9]
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- Anytime you bring these items into a drinking situation, there is a chance of them being spilled on.
- If you don’t have these items cleaned, you may not even notice a spill until you wear the garment again.