How to Get Rid of Body Odor Naturally

Co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 28, 2023 Fact Checked

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Body odor can make you feel embarrassed or self-conscious, but don’t worry because everyone gets it and you aren’t alone. If you struggle with maintaining your body odor, you can manage it naturally with some basic changes to your lifestyle. While you can always try to mask the smell using a deodorant, staying clean and eating healthy will eliminate bacteria on your skin that cause the odor. However, if you’re sweating more than usual or your body odor changes, you may need to see a doctor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Maintaining Personal Hygiene

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1
Bathe at least once per day. Try to shower or take a bath either in the morning or at night to clean off any sweat or odor-causing bacteria that are on your skin. Use an antibacterial soap for additional protection against odors. Scrub the areas that normally smell, such as your armpits, feet, and groin, with a washcloth and your soap to help get rid of the odor.^{[1]
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- If you exercise or get sweaty during the day, rinse off or shower as soon as possible to eliminate the odors.
Variation: If you’re unable to bathe, wipe your skin with antibacterial body wipes. You can buy them from your local drugstore.
2
Dry your body thoroughly. Bacteria tend to grow in warm, moist areas, so use a towel to pat your entire body dry after you bathe. Be sure to focus on areas where moisture gets trapped easily, like your armpits or groin. Keep patting your skin with your towel until you’re completely dry.^{[2]
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- If you can, leave your bathroom as you dry off since steam may get on your skin and make your body wet again.
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3
Trim excess body hair to help stop bacteria growth. Bacteria can thrive in your body hair if it gets wet and they will trap odors in places like your armpits and groin. If you only want a light trim, use a small pair of grooming scissors to cut the hair shorter. Otherwise, you can use an electric trimmer or razor to completely remove the hair so there isn’t any odor.^{[3]
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- Use caution when you cut your armpit hair. You have to shave it with shaving cream then when you have done that, wash your armpit off. When you are done with that, apply more shaving cream and use a razor while trimming your body hair. Make sure to be careful so you don’t accidentally cut yourself.
- Apply shaving cream or aftershave when you trim for a pleasant odor.
4
Put on deodorant and antiperspirant. If your armpits or feet sweat, choose an antiperspirant that’s aluminum-based to help block your pores. Apply the antiperspirant under your arms or even on the bottom of your foot to help prevent sweat from forming. Many antiperspirants also have deodorizing fragrances to help mask odors, so pick a scent that you like.^{[4]
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- You can also buy deodorant without antiperspirant if you don’t regularly sweat. Deodorant is acidic and helps kill the odor-causing bacteria on your skin.
Tip: Unfortunately, there haven’t been enough studies on home remedies for deodorants or antiperspirants to prove that they’re safe or effective.
5
Wear clean, breathable or moisture-wicking clothing. Avoid wearing clothes if they’re dirty or smelly since they may reintroduce bacteria to your skin. Look for clothes that are made from natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, or silk, since they allow airflow and prevent sweat easier. If you’re exercising or you sweat a lot, opt for moisture-wicking fabrics, like polyester, nylon, or merino wool, that absorb the sweat off your skin to help combat against odor-causing bacteria.^{[5]
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- Some moisture-wicking fabrics may retain odors, so be sure to wash them as soon as you can.
6
Put on antibacterial socks if you have foot odor. Check the socks’ packaging for terms like “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” since it will help kill odor-causing organisms. Dry your feet off thoroughly before wearing your socks so moisture doesn’t get trapped in them. Only wear clean pairs of socks so bacteria doesn’t get on your skin.^{[6]
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- You may also find antibacterial underwear as well if you have body odor around your groin.
- If you can, go barefoot or wear open-toed shoes to improve airflow around your feet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing Your Diet and Lifestyle

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1
Eliminate spicy or strong-smelling foods from your diet. Spicy foods can cause you to sweat, which may lead to stronger body odor. In addition, pungent foods like garlic or onions can also absorb into your system and could make your sweat smell like them. Be mindful of what you eat and try to remove any trigger foods, including spices like cumin or curry, from your diet.^{[7]
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- Try basic seasonings like salt and pepper to flavor your dishes instead.
Tip: Pay attention to how your body reacts to foods after you eat so you can find out what foods trigger your body odor.
2
Cut seafood out of your diet if your body odor has a fishy smell. Some metabolic disorders can cause sweat to smell fishy when your body breaks down seafood. Cut back on fish and shellfish for a few days to see if your body odor goes away on its own. If it does, then continue limiting the amount of seafood you eat. If you still detect a fishy smell after eliminating seafood, contact your doctor to see if there are any other causes.^{[8]
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- Usually, you’ll notice a fishy odor within a few hours of eating seafood.
3
Drink water to help flush toxins out of your system. Try to have at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day that are each 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) each so you stay hydrated. Avoid having sugary or caffeinated drinks since they can make you more dehydrated and trap bacteria in your system. Not only will drinking water help relieve body odor, but it will help keep your skin moisturized and looking healthy as well!^{[9]
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- If you’re exercising or sweating frequently, drink more water than usual so you don’t get dehydrated.
4
Avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. Smoking can leave an odor on your clothes and body, and it could cause you to sweat. Do your best to quit smoking to keep yourself smelling fresh. Additionally, alcohol dehydrates you and may leave an odor, so try to limit yourself to 1–2 alcoholic drinks per day. Have a glass of water with each one to help dilute the smell more.^{[10]
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- Smoking and alcohol can also cause bad breath, so limiting how much you have can also improve your oral health.
5
Try meditation or yoga to relax and destress. If you feel stressed, it’s normal to start sweating, which may lead to body odor. Take deep breaths to help ease your mind and practice destressing techniques. Do your best to relax so you’re able to calm down and keep your body from perspiring. Try doing self-guided meditation or practicing simple yoga poses for a few minutes whenever you’re feeling stressed out.^{[11]
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- Try getting up and walking around if you get stressed at something. Even a couple of minutes away can help you clear your mind.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

When to Seek Medical Care

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1
Get medical care for a rash or irritation caused by natural products. While natural treatments are often safe, they may irritate your skin or even cause a rash. Both commercially-made natural deodorants and homemade treatments can aggravate your skin. If this happens, reach out to your doctor to find out if you need treatment.^{[12]
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- You may notice swelling, itchiness, tenderness, and redness around the area where you applied your natural treatment.
- Ask your doctor if they can recommend a natural body odor treatment that may be more suitable for your skin.
2
Consult your doctor if you suddenly start sweating more. While you likely don’t need to worry, sudden changes in how much you sweat may be a sign that something is wrong. Talk to your doctor to find out what’s causing your excessive sweating. Then, ask about your treatment options.^{[13]
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- If you have an underlying condition, you’ll need to treat it to relieve your excessive sweating.
3
Talk to your doctor if your body odor changes. Changes in your body odor may be triggered by a medical condition. Try not to worry because you’re probably okay. However, go see your doctor to find out what’s causing the changes in your smell so that you can fix it.^{[14]
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- Your doctor may be able to offer you treatments for your underlying condition.
4
Schedule a doctor’s appointment if you have unexplained night sweats. While you probably don’t need to worry, night sweats can be caused by certain medical conditions or medications. Talk to your doctor to find out what’s causing your night sweats so that you can manage them. Your doctor may offer you treatment or they could recommend lifestyle changes.^{[15]
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- For instance, some depression and diabetes treatments can cause night sweats. Similarly, anxiety, autoimmune disorders, infections, and certain cancers can trigger night sweats.^{[16]
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5
See your doctor if natural products don’t manage your body odor. You can typically manage your body odor using self-care. However, sometimes lifestyle changes and topical products aren’t enough. If this is the case for you, your doctor may be able to help you find a product that works for you.^{[17]
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- Your doctor will likely recommend you try traditional deodorants if natural products don’t work. If this still doesn’t help, they can offer you a prescription deodorant.
6
Visit your doctor if sweating or body odor interferes with your life. Everyone experiences sweating and body odor, so you are not alone! However, you may sweat more than other people or have stronger-smelling body odor. Fortunately, your doctor can help you if you’re having trouble living a normal life because of sweat and odor.^{[18]
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- Your doctor can help you find products that work for you.
- Additionally, your doctor may refer you to a therapist, who can help you change your thoughts about your sweat and body odor. This may help you feel better.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Any acidic or fried foods, like onions, fries, mustard, garlic, or ketchup, can enhance any existing odors you have. Try to stick to blander foods if you're worried about body odors.
Baking soda is amazing when it comes to capturing odors. Look for deodorants and detergents that contain baking soda. It seriously helped me control my BO.

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Warnings

Contact your doctor if you begin sweating more than usual or if there’s a change in how your body odor smells.^{[19]
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