YouTube Transcript:
Doctors Warn Senior Women_ You Might Smell Bad Because of These 6 Silent Mistakes

Ladies, I hate to be the one to tell you
this, but you might smell bad and not
even know it. No one wants to be the
smelly grandma, but sometimes it's not
about neglect or poor hygiene. It's
about silent little mistakes we make
without even realizing it. Mistakes I
made, too, until a kind doctor clued me
in. So stay with me because these six
silent hygiene mistakes could be making
you smell unpleasant and fixing them is
simpler than you think. And before we
dive in, don't forget to like this
video, subscribe to Savvy Senior, and
tell me in the comments, what's one
self-care tip you swear by in your older
age? I read them all, and I love
learning from you. One, wearing the same
bra for too long. Ladies, let's get
honest for a moment. How many times have
you worn your favorite bra without
washing it? Two times? Four times? A
full week? Don't be shy. I used to do
it, too. And before you say, "Well, I
didn't even sweat." Let me tell you what
my doctor told me. It doesn't matter.
Your skin still sheds. Your body still
produces oils. And yes, even if you
barely moved, a layer of bacteria and
odor builds up real fast in your
undergarments. Now, here's what no one
told me for years. As we age, our skin
becomes thinner and more delicate. That
means it absorbs odors and bacteria more
easily. And unfortunately, it also holds
on to them. I had a cotton blend bra I
love to death. Wore it three days a
week. It fit like a dream. But then one
day I hugged my niece and she gave me
that little wrinkled nose. She didn't
say anything, bless her, but that look
said it all. Something smelled off. It
wasn't until I started rotating bras
more frequently and actually washing
them every two to three where that
things turned around. And yes, I said
rotating. You should never wear the same
bra two days in a row. The elastic needs
time to recover and your skin needs a
fresh start. I also learned that
materials matter. Some synthetic fabrics
hold odors longer even after washing.
That's why I switched to breathable
cotton bras with removable pads. Easier
to wash, easier to dry, and far more
forgiving. Now, I know doing more
laundry can feel like a chore at our
age, but think of it like this. A clean
bra isn't just about hygiene. It's about
dignity. It's about confidence. No one
wants to be remembered as the sweet old
woman with the not so sweet scent. Trust
me, this tiny habit makes a big
difference. Two, not exfoliating
underarms. This one shocked me when I
first heard it. Exfoliating your
underarms. I had no idea that was even a
thing. I mean, we exfoliate our faces,
maybe our legs, sometimes our elbows,
but our armpits never cross my mind.
Then I went to my dermatologist for what
I thought was just age- related odor.
You know what she said? You have a
buildup of old deodorant, dead skin, and
bacteria. I was mortified. She explained
that most deodorants, especially the
long lasting ones we tend to favor,
aren't fully washed away in the shower.
Over time, they create a sticky film
that traps odor even if you bathe
regularly. And that's what people start
to notice. Not just sweat, but this
lingering sour scent that clings no
matter what perfume you wear. I was
using antibacterial soap. I was
showering daily, but I wasn't getting
under the problem. Literally, that
doctor suggested I start using a soft
exfoliating cloth or a gentle scrub just
two or three times a week. Not a harsh
scrub, nothing that tears the skin, just
enough to remove buildup. And wouldn't
you know it, within a week, my underarms
felt fresher, cleaner, and even
smoother. Let me tell you, the first
time I exfoliated properly, I was
stunned. The washcloth turned a little
gray. That was weeks of buildup I didn't
even know was there. From then on, I
made it part of my routine, especially
in summer. You don't need fancy
products. A washcloth and warm water can
do the trick if you're consistent. And
always rinse thoroughly afterward.
residue is what causes that tacky
feeling that turns into odor later in
the day. So, yes, deodorant is
important, but if you're not exfoliating
under your arms once in a while, you're
just layering new product on top of old
grime. It's like putting perfume on top
of old fish. Not a good mix. Three,
ignoring your shoes. Ah, shoes. They
support us, carry us through life, and
if we're being honest, they're often
neglected. You probably clean your
floors. You vacuum your rugs. But when
was the last time you cleaned the inside
of your shoes? I'll confess something
that's a little embarrassing. There was
a stretch in my 70s where I had this one
pair of orthopedic sandals I wore
everywhere. Around the house, to the
garden, quick trips to the store. They
were so comfortable, perfect arch
support, easy to slide on. But one day,
I caught a whiff of something unpleasant
near the entryway. I blamed the dog. I
blamed the grandkids. Turns out it was
my shoes. And not the Sauls, the insides
over time. Our feet change. We sweat
differently. Some of us develop more
foot odor as we age, especially if we're
on certain medications or have
circulation issues. And because our
sense of smell can also decline a bit
with age, we might not even notice that
our footwear has turned into a mobile
odor trap. Here's what I learned. Most
shoes, yes, even those expensive
orthopedic ones are washable. At the
very least, the insoles can be removed
and cleaned. I now air out my shoes in
the sun at least once a week, sprinkle a
little baking soda in them overnight,
and alternate pairs. And I always wear
socks or footies, even with slip-ons.
That tiny barrier keeps sweat from
soaking into the lining and cuts down on
odor by a lot. One of the best tips I
got, use tea bags. Dry unused black tea
bags placed in your shoes overnight can
absorb moisture and reduce odor
naturally. And it's a whole lot cheaper
than fancy sprays. Now, don't get me
wrong, I still love my comfy old shoes,
but I treat them with the same care I
treat my skin because, believe it or
not, a lot of the odors people associate
with aging, they're not coming from you.
They're coming from what's on your feet.
Four, using too much fragrance to mask
odors. Oh, this one hits close to home
because I used to be the queen of
perfume. Ever since I was in my 20s, I
had my scent. You know, the one the
bottle that sits on your vanity, maybe
with a tiny satin bow, maybe in a glass
bottle that makes you feel a little more
elegant with each spray. Mine was Chanel
number five for decades. A classic. I
felt more me when I wore it. But let me
tell you something I didn't understand
until well into my 60s. There's a fine
line between a signature scent and a
cloud of cover up. And that line gets
thinner as we get older. As our skin
changes with age, so does the way it
holds onto fragrance. What once smelled
light and floral in our 40s can turn
heavy, even sour in our 70s. Our body
chemistry evolves due to menopause,
medications, even what we eat. I didn't
know this at first. All I knew was that
one day I caught a whiff of my own
perfume and it didn't smell quite right.
Not bad exactly, but not like me either.
So, what did I do? I sprayed more. That
was my mistake. I assumed that if I
couldn't smell it, no one else could.
But, as I later learned, your nose
adapts. The more you wear a scent, the
less you notice it, but others don't
lose sensitivity. I had one poor
neighbor who always gave me hugs with
that polite half smile and watery eyes.
It wasn't until she gently said, "Your
perfume is strong today that I realized
I had been walking around like a
onewoman fragrance department." And
here's the kicker. When you use perfume
to cover body odor, whether it's from
underarms, clothing, shoes, or even
scalp, it doesn't neutralize the smell.
It mixes with it. The result, a complex,
often unpleasant blend that sticks in
the air like bad soup. These days, I've
made the switch. I keep a light,
alcohol-free body mist for special
occasions and rely more on staying clean
than masking anything. I also started
keeping a small bag of unscented baby
wipes in my purse. Not for babies, just
for me. If I'm out and about and feel
like I've gotten a little ripe, I excuse
myself, wipe down my neck, underarms,
and hands, and I feel fresh again. No
clouds, no sneezing grandkids, just
clean confidence. So, yes, you can still
wear fragrance. But use it as a
flourish, not a disguise. And always
remember, clean smells better than
anything in a bottle. Five, not washing
your hair accessories. Let me ask you a
question and be honest. When was the
last time you washed your hairbrush or
your comb or your favorite little
scrunchie you keep in your purse? If you
had to pause, you're not alone. For
years, I thought washing my hair was
enough. But what I didn't realize was
that every time I used that old brush or
tied my hair up with the same elastic, I
was reintroducing old oils, bacteria,
and product buildup back into my clean
scalp. I had this velvet scrunchie I
adored. Got it at a market in Italy back
in the day. It was soft, a deep
burgundy, and I wore it constantly. But
after a few months, I noticed something
strange. My scalp started itching a bit.
My pillowcase smelled a little off. I
chocked it up to age, but then I did a
little test. I sniffed that scrunchie up
close. I nearly dropped it. It smelled
like old perfume, hairspray, and let's
be honest, sweat. And that smell was
rubbing against my scalp day in and day
out. Most of us wouldn't think twice
about changing a towel or washing
pillowcases weekly. But our brushes and
accessories, we forget them. Meanwhile,
they're collecting sebum, dead skin
cells, dandruff, and every bit of
product we use. Gel sprays, dry shampoo,
you name it. Here's what I learned. Hair
brushes should be cleaned weekly. Take a
comb or a pen to pull out the trapped
hair. Then soak the brush in warm water
with a little shampoo and baking soda.
Let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with an
old toothbrush and rinse. Dry
thoroughly. As for scrunchies,
headbands, and fabric clips, they belong
in your laundry just like socks. I now
keep a little mesh laundry bag just for
accessories. Every week I toss in
whatever I've used and give them a
gentle cycle wash. No more weird scalp
smells. No more itchy forehead. Just
clean, fresh hair that stays clean
longer. The lesson, don't let the tools
that help you look good become the very
thing that makes you smell bad. They
deserve care, too. Six. sleeping in worn
pajamas and sheets too long. Oh my
goodness, I used to be terrible about
this. I had this old flannel night gown
that I wore every winter night for
almost a decade. It was warm,
comforting, and had that broken in
softness I couldn't find anywhere else.
But you know what else? It had years of
skin cells, body oils, and traces of
night sweats because I wasn't washing it
nearly enough. It's easy to overlook,
especially when you live alone or your
partner's just as relaxed as you are.
But your body doesn't stop functioning
at night. In fact, some of us sweat more
while we sleep than during the day.
Tossing and turning, especially under
thick blankets, creates a damp, warm
environment, a breeding ground for
bacteria and odor. Doctors say that your
sheets should be washed at least once a
week. pajamas every two to three wears,
especially in summer. But I know how
tempting it is to stretch it out. I used
to say, "Well, I'm not dirty when I go
to bed, so it's fine." But here's the
thing. Even clean skin still sheds.
You're lying in your own skin flakes.
Breath, drool. Yes, we all do it. And
perspiration every single night. I had a
friend over once, my oldest friend from
college. and she stayed the night. The
next morning, she was kind, but she
asked me gently, "Do you ever wash your
pillowcases more than once a month?"
That was a wakeup call. I realized I had
just gotten too comfortable, literally.
Now, I have a little system. I keep two
full sets of sheets in rotation, one in
the wash and one on the bed. I also keep
a few pairs of fresh night gowns or PJ
sets folded in my dresser. I change them
every other day without fail. And guess
what? I sleep better. My skin looks
better. And I wake up without that
musty, sour smell clinging to my
neckline or pillow. One last thing,
don't forget your actual pillows and
mattress. I sprinkle baking soda on the
mattress once a month, let it sit, and
vacuum it up. Keeps everything fresher.
And I wash the pillows themselves twice
a year. Clean bed, clean sleep, clean
scent. It makes a world of difference.
Listen, ladies, aging is beautiful, but
there's no shame in keeping fresh while
we do it. These silent little mistakes,
I made most of them myself. And once I
fixed them, I felt more confident, more
comfortable, and yes, better smelling.
So, let's age with grace, but also with
good hygiene. If this video helped you,
please like, subscribe, and leave a
comment below. What's one scent that
reminds you of your youth? And don't
forget to join my free Savvy Senior
newsletter filled with weekly tips for
confident, radiant aging. The links
right in the description. Take care of
yourself and each other. See you in the
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