Hygiene mistakes that can cause people to smell bad

Even when they seem harmless, body odors and subtle bad breath can affect how we perceive other people, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One. Whether we’re at work or out with friends, it’s hard to avoid associating unpleasant thoughts with unpleasant smells. So how can you make sure you’re making the best impression and keeping your bad odor under control? It all starts with a good, consistent personal hygiene routine.

Sure, you can focus on doing the right things—showering regularly, managing stress, and drinking enough fluids—but part of the battle is also consciously avoiding the hygiene mistakes that make people smell bad. Even seemingly innocuous parts of your daily routine can encourage the growth of odor-causing bacteria, which is why it's important to learn more about hygiene and change your habits.

Wearing wet clothes

It's happened to everyone - you're late for work, don't have time to wait for the dryer to finish, and grab your clothes before they're completely dry. But according to a 2021 study, not following proper laundry practices, like leaving damp clothes out of the dryer, can encourage the spread of odor-causing microbes.

So, if you're wearing damp clothes - yes, even if they're "drying" in the car with the windows down - you're likely to smell bad. Sure, it's sometimes hard to avoid, but it's still one of the hygiene mistakes that makes people smell bad.

Not using dental floss

According to research published in the European Journal of Dentistry, daily flossing can help prevent the bad breath that many people struggle with on a daily basis. So, brushing your teeth alone isn't always enough, and believing that it is is one of the hygiene mistakes that causes people to smell bad.

Other oral hygiene habits, like brushing your tongue and using mouthwash, can also help prevent bad breath and odors, but they need to become a routine. Like any other healthy habit, you'll get the best results if you create a routine that's easy to follow—whether that means setting a reminder in the bathroom or getting up a few minutes earlier, the effort is worth it.

Sleeping on dirty bedding

According to research from Amerisleep, 27 percent of Americans wash their sheets only once a month, while another 11 percent wash them even less frequently, and a shocking 3 percent "never" wash them. This isn't just about personal health, sleep quality, and mental clarity—which research shows suffer from not washing sheets and duvet covers regularly—but also about hygiene and cleanliness.

Dirty bedding encourages the growth of bacteria that not only increases the risk of chronic acne and skin problems, but can also contribute to unpleasant odor throughout the day. This is one of the hygiene mistakes that makes people smell bad, even if they don't realize it.

Not showering after training

People who don't shower after a workout or "forget" to shower after sweating are often at a higher risk of developing unpleasant body odor, according to Dr. Emeka Okorocha. The problem isn't that sweat itself smells, but rather that it develops an unpleasant odor when it comes into contact with bacteria that live on the surface of the skin.

So if you're planning a workout, make extra time for your shower or create a routine—even if it's dry shampoo, deodorant, and facial wipes—that can help you postpone your shower for a few hours until you get there. Yes, it can be tough to force yourself to shower after a long day, but when it comes to personal hygiene, it's worth it.

Using perfume instead of bathing

According to experts at Harvard Health, the best and easiest way to remove body odor and bacteria is to wash with soap and water. Perfumes, colognes, and body sprays are meant to add a pleasant scent to clothes and skin, but they don't do much — or can even have the opposite effect — when it comes to actually eliminating or masking body odor.

Trying to postpone showering or cover up an unpleasant odor with perfume is one of the hygiene mistakes that makes people smell unpleasant, as strong perfumes and colognes often mix with existing body odor and further intensify it.

Not washing the whole body

According to a survey by Dollar Shave Club, as many as 50 percent of people don't wash their feet in the shower. Some assume that the soapy water running down their bodies will do the job for them, while others simply never learned proper shower hygiene habits.

This is one of the hygiene mistakes that makes people smell bad. So let's be clear: you should always wash every part of your body with soap and water to remove odor and bacteria. Whether you use a washcloth, your hands, or some other tool, you should lather and rinse every part of your body.

Reusing old towels

Every time you use a towel in the bathroom, whether you've just gotten out of the shower or not, you're transferring dead skin cells, bacteria, and potentially viruses onto it. So if you reuse the same body towels and washcloths, you're putting it all back on your skin, contributing to body odor, skin infections, and acne.

To prevent unpleasant odors and maintain good personal hygiene, make sure to wash towels after each use, especially the body towel you use in the bathroom.

Insufficient water intake

When you drink enough water — usually between four and six glasses a day, depending on the person — you essentially help your body flush out toxins, which can help prevent unpleasant body odor, fatigue, and other negative physiological symptoms, like weaker immunity or poor digestion.

Of course, staying hydrated isn't always easy. It's not just about hydration and overall health - it's also a hygiene habit that improves every aspect of your well-being, from your smell to your appearance and even your skin condition.

Wearing clothes that don't "breathe"

Not everyone can create a wardrobe made exclusively of one or two materials, which is why other hygiene habits, such as showering daily, using antiperspirant, and drinking enough water, are so important. However, if you have the option, choosing breathable fabrics can help prevent unpleasant body odor.

Synthetic fibers like polyester, spandex, and nylon often don't breathe well, harboring bacteria and encouraging the development of odor over time. Especially if you wear these types of clothing repeatedly without washing them—like sports bras or leggings—the combination of sweat and bacteria can cause you to smell bad.

Avoiding stress-reducing rituals

Do you have a stressful job? Are you struggling with burnout and exhaustion? All of those emotional changes and the effects of chronic stress can actually contribute to your bad breath. While it's one of the most underrated hygiene mistakes that causes people to smell bad, ignoring stress and burnout can negatively impact your well-being and physical health.

Sure, many people tend to sweat—which can lead to a buildup of bacteria over time—when they're nervous. But according to research published in PLOS One, prolonged stress and anxiety can activate certain glands that contribute to body odor. Even when you've moved away from the immediate stressful situation, chronic anxiety or burnout can trigger these glands to secrete sweat, which can foster bacteria and body odor.

Not cleaning care equipment

From shaving with the same razor over and over again, to reusing towels, to using dirty makeup brushes - not cleaning grooming tools is one of the hygiene mistakes that makes people smell bad.

Not only does not cleaning these everyday items encourage bacterial growth, but reusing them can transfer those germs to your face and body and contribute to unpleasant odors. This means these items should be cleaned after each use, whether they're makeup brushes, hair trimmers, nail clippers, or tweezers.