I'm in my thirties and in the last year or so I've noticed a new problem. When I shower , which is daily and sometimes twice daily, I use a wash cloth. I hang the wash cloth in the shower to dry and it smells terrible. When I go back in the bathroom later the smell of body odor is very noticeable.

I've always thought that I have a stronger smell than some people but not offensive. Sometimes I even notice a smell from the underarms of my shirts when I iron them.

I perspire more when I get nervous and sometimes that leads me to do a quick freshen up of just my underarms with a soapy washcloth and then reapply deodorant. The first time I noticed this problem was after one of these freshen up times and I hung the wash cloth over the tub faucet. My husband later asked me about an odor in the bathroom and I figured out that it was the wash cloth after investigating. This occurred more times and I even changed deodorants more than once. I stopped doing the freshen up routine and just stick to my daily showers now but the odor is quite noticeable. My husband notices it and it's imbarrassing so I try to remove my washcloth as soon as possible or use one of those puff things. He swears that I don't have an odor to my body unless I've been sweating a lot from exercise or yard work. Normal right. He says the odor is just in the bathroom after I've showered. I can't understand why I don't smell but the washcloth i use does.

I think possibly this problem is worse during certain times of my cycle but I haven't nailed down the exact times yet. I'm thinking though that its a week or so after my period or during ovulation.

If anyone has any theories or advice please help.

Err, my hands do a pretty good job of washing my underarms, so perhaps you should do that first then use a washcloth or whatever?

I'm a guy, so I can only assume I smell more than you, and I've never had a problem...

Well, good point, why use a cloth anyway, although i always think "cleaner" when i soap up a sponge but that perhaps is one idea for that area.

Why not switch to a mans deodorant, that you spray on, the dry one, as they are made to be a stronger form and being dry, it may help more as well.

Maybe your sweat glands pores open more, if you shave under your arms, as much as us women hate hair ( most ), perhaps let it grow back and see if that stops the perspiration more....

Just thoughts..


CW