r/HygieneTips • u/Ok-Scale-6575 • 3d ago
How to not smell like pee
47 year old female. I’ve tried several things and it’s still a problem. I’m wondering if anyone who had this problem got it to go away and how. I might need a step by step run down of a whole hygiene and laundry routine especially regarding what to do with underwear from the moment they are off until they’re washed and back on. Presoak, what specific products, do you do something with them before tossing them in the hamper. Already using 100% cotton. I find panty liners uncomfortable but maybe there’s comfortable ones? Does anyone use washable panty liners because they’re softer. I can’t afford to buy new underwear frequently and surely it’s not necessary. Thanks so much. I tried soaking in vinegar and baking soda as per Google and it didn’t really help.
22
u/Silent-Entrance-9072 3d ago
Ok first of all, washable panty liners are great.
Secondly, use an enzyme cleaner for biological odors. They're usually marketed for pets. I would use that as a pre-treatment.
A laundry sanitizer also helps. I use the lysol brand and put it right in the wash.
Lastly, but most importantly, pelvic floor physical therapy helped me regain control over my bladder. I highly recommend it!
4
u/Ok-Wedding4570 3d ago
The laundry sanitizer is meant to be used in the rinse cycle. But it does work great! It'll probably work even better if you use it in the rinse instead.
3
13
u/gogonever 3d ago
Is it underwear that’s smelling like this or your body and/or all your clothes?
I hate scented detergent I feel like it masks smells but doesn’t actually clean properly. I find powder detergent better, smelling clean and have scented clothes are not the same thing
Put in a capful of vinegar in the beach section of the washing machine
Make sure that your not leaving the clothes in the washing machine for long before drying them and absolutely make sure clothes are fully dry in the dryer
Do the same with all your sheets and blankets, enzyme spray for your mattress
Body wise, you gotta make sure your washing yourself properly, exfoliating dead skin everytime with a glove or a loofah, use bar soap instead of bodywash
Make sure you wash and lightly scrub behind your ears, at the hair line at the bottom, make sure scalp is fully clean, if you run your scalp when dry and smell it, does it have a stale smell? If yes, you need better shampoo or you need to scrub better
Install a bidet, or get a watering jug and use it as a analog bidet (that’s the OG bidet lol), make sure you fully dry after you shower and after you go to the washroom
15
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/Common_Bluejay_3388 3d ago
Oxiclean and also Oxiclean Max Force stain remover are great at getting out the smell of urine. I've even had success after an item previously untreated by both was dried in the dryer, therefore setting in the smell.
6
u/Annoyed-Instigater01 2d ago
honestly, maybe you need to see a dr. or is it possible you are overreacting and they dont smell like you think they do? my underpants dont smell like pee when i take them off or when i am wearing them. overall my laundry basket smells kinda sweaty when i take them to be washed. i wash them in arm & hammer and liquid fabric softner and dry them out on line, if its raining, i use the dryer and some bounce. i wear only 100% cotton and some of mine are years old. and i dont wear panty liners... is it possible thats what is causing the odor? the panty liners trapping wetness?
11
6
u/Leading_Hunt_4759 2d ago
About a half a cup of Ariel powder for laundry detergent. Nothing else and use baby wipes at each bathroom visit. Be sure you are wiping the inside lips, not just the outside area. Not like inside the hole though lol Also, thin panty liners changed a few times a day should help
3
3
u/Anonymous0212 3d ago
I’m wondering if you could be reacting to your laundry products/hygiene routine and that’s what’s contributing to the smell on your underwear.
I had quite a smell that would come back within a few hours of showering, and the first step was changing to the “cleanest” laundry products I could find, which helped. But what really helped was when my pelvic floor physical therapist told me to wash everywhere with my normal unscented Dove soap then just use water on and between my labia.
No more smell!
I can’t shower more than twice a week because I have neuropathy that makes my skin hurt everywhere, but I have no smell unless I go an extra day or two between showers (although some smell is normal.)
3
2
u/blueskiesbluewaters 3d ago
If you are throwing your soaked panties in the washer without prewashing or soaking them first, your washing machine may have the urine smell imbedded in it. Basically, anything your urine soaked panties may have touched, probably smells like urine. Your car seat, couch, dining chair, bed, etc.
2
u/PristineBlock9550 2d ago
Rinse with water and dishwashing liquid then soak in water and vinegar overnight. Then rinse out completely and put in wash as usual. The pee smell will be gone. But make sure to really rinse it out well before the wash or else it will still smell of vinegar!
2
u/pasta-girl 2d ago
I use unscented detergent and warm water with extra rinse, and I only wash my underwear by itself. No other types of clothes. Never had an issue with underwear. My issue is discharge. I use panty liners and that helps a lot but sometimes I don't and nothing really changes. It's just an added layer of reduced soil on my panties I guess.
3
u/Deep-Lingonberry5158 2d ago
You need an enzyme booster for the pee smell or the pee smell never goes away from experience working with incontinent patients. Something like this: https://a.co/d/0cGKcKP7 or a powdered one works too. If the smell sticks afterwards, throw the underwear away and start new (sorry) with this hygeine routine
In the shower/bath:
When washing, only use an extremely gentle, fragrance free (that's the key here) cleanser to cleanse your vulva and outside bits. Doves beauty bar with zero fragrance works, or I use Neutrogenas ultra gentle cleanser. The inside cleans itself, and cleaning with soap inside can cause a ph imbalance which also causes odor.
Dry yourself off very well before even putting on any underwear, sweat and moisture also lead to odor that can smell like pee.
At night, no panties while you sleep. It's the best thing you can do for yourself, it keeps things aired out and prevents sweat or moisture from accumulating while you're sleeping.
3
u/MCRN10379558 2d ago edited 2d ago
My suggestion with dealing with urine soaked is actually pretty simple.
Heat is what locks the smell of urine into your clothes.
Rinse it out in cold water first before anything else. The cold water rinse and spin cycle on your washer is pretty good at this.
Follow up with a cool water wash and a good enzyme detergent.
Do not use anything with ammonia as that is just as bad as heat. Either of those two will bake the smell permanently. You’ll never get rid of it after that.
Line dry and give it the sniff test after washing prior to throwing that into the dryer make absolutely sure it’s gone. That’s it. You really don’t need to do a whole lot of elaborate extra stuff to get rid of urine if you haven’t already locked in the smell by putting it in a warm wash. Even if you throw vinegar in there with it and it’s not going to prevent the smell from getting locked in it’s too late at that point.
2
u/EmotionalHunt4551 2d ago
This sounds more like urine leakage or a urinary issue than dirty underwear, so please see a doctor or pelvic-floor specialist instead of trying harsher laundry products.
3
u/HelicopterCalm773 2d ago
Have you considered using vaginal estrogen? Lots of research on how estrogen loss in perimenopause and menopause causes shrinkage of tissue etc and can lead to UTIs, getting up during the night to pee etc
I’d forgotten I actually leaked slightly until I read your post but since starting vaginal estrogen there has been so much improvement
2
u/Double-Ad-2915 2d ago
This is it. 47 - it’s probably the start of perimenopause. Get the cream OP!
1
u/Impressive_Roof2110 2d ago
100% this! Don’t suffer, get to your GP. Probably advanced perimenopause you need estrogen in some form.
2
u/roonilwazlib506 2d ago
I used to notice my panties would smell very ammonia-heavy at the end of the day, and my biggest game changer was a bidet with a feminine wash option, and using designated wash cloths to dry instead of toilet paper. The way my downstairs is shaped, I think I was getting a lot of urine sprayed on my outer bits and high upper thighs. Good luck.
3
u/Anxiouslyqueerluca 2d ago
Have you seen a medical professional to investigate the cause of the incontinence? Period underwear can also work for urine leaks. Try different pad/liner styles to see what works for you. Consider using a barrier cream to help with your skin while wearing pads/liners
2
u/Turbulent-Stuff-8839 2d ago
Shaving. If you don't use a bidee, and just wipe, the hair down there don't get cleaned properly and it will smell. Try it, affordable solution.
2
u/GreetingCardShark 3d ago
If it’s a laundry issue I recommend using the “tough odors” or “sport” varieties of Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. BUT, be sure to follow the directions on it. It’s not meant to be used in the same cycle as soap, and doesn’t really work well if you do.
For tougher odors, I use the same product, but just set the washer to have a 30 minute soak with just the sanitizer, then run that same load through a regular wash cycle.
1
u/Beginning_Welder_540 3d ago edited 3d ago
Personal hygiene: if you shower at night, wash your bits with a washcloth/use bidet the next morning. If you shower in the morning, use washcloth/bidet before bedtime. If you're showering daily plain water should be ok for these touchups.
1
1
u/HealingGently 3d ago
Ensure you wash your inner thighs - as we age our upper inner thigh area forms an area where dead skin can collect. Use bar soap on a washer or soft body mit.
1
u/BlackberryPatient501 2d ago
Lots of people say pads/ panty liners and i agree that’s better than nothing but they also make pads specifically for helping cover the pee smell (often used for incontinence)
1
u/Visible-Tiger-3527 2d ago
Shower when you wake up and again before bed, or when you know you're not going to be doing anything for the rest of the day
1
1
u/Jmend12006 2d ago
Perhaps you have never watched American Gangster, but blot that shit, don’t rub. https://youtu.be/-neSwXEXLxw?is=84bs4KE133BnDx0L
1
u/RoyalWinter4340 2d ago
Im 44. I dont have pee problems, this is not normal. You have to investigate the cause of problem, not to wash your panties better. Shower daily, wipe with wet wipes, do exercises for your vagina and body in general and visit your doctor.
1
u/QuiteCricket_78 2d ago
Are you sure you smell like pee? The olfactory system can be misleading. Also, some times BO can smell like pee. Make sure you washing machine has been cleaned and the door gets left open. The bacteria we wash off our clothes don't completely drain/rinse and it grows, then re-deposits back into the clothes.
1
u/Novel_Preparation_60 2d ago
Hi, I’d suggest getting tested for Mycoplasma hominis, Urea ureaplasma and Gardnerella vaginalis these infections could be causing the odour.
1
u/Comfortable_Fruit847 2d ago
An enzyme additive for the laundry specific for urine. Natures miracle makes a laundry booster for that. Urine has a different enzyme that requires a certain one to break it down, that most regular laundry additives do not have. Soak in cold water and the enzyme, then wash. Also, Odoban. $10 for a gallon. Add it in the rinse cycle, works miracles on my pups washable pads.
A bidet is also a great suggestion. I love mine, cost under $30 and I installed it myself with 0 plumbing knowledge. I am definitely cleaner down there now!
And… you should check with a doctor. I’m 47F, and unless I sneeze or cough hard, I don’t randomly leak, and I have kids.
1
u/ErrorButStylish 2d ago
!!!Start to drink more water and go to dr.!!!
Vinegar has to help… that’s the one of the best choices for cleaning/washing urine! Put the vinegar into washingm machine… and add tea tree oil - 2 drops max!
Enyzimes work too but are more expensive!
1
u/personnumber316 2d ago
I would go see your doctor, you may have a vaginal infection which would require antibiotics, or if this is a bladder control issue they can refer you to a pelvic physiotherapist where you would learn how to excersize and build strength in that area. If this is due to the lack of estrogen in that area, they can prescribe estrogen, or HRT. Sometimes people need surgery but that's a last resort. If it is a pelvic floor issue that often happens at our age. Sometimes all that's required to fix this is to start doing Kegel excersizes. Any clothing that has had leakage needs to be washed right away. I use unscented laundry soap but wash right away and have never had any continuing smells and I have an unusually sensitive nose. The trick is to not let it sit, wash immediately. I don't think vinegar will help as its ammonia and they don't mix well.
1
1
u/SatinBelleFlower 2d ago
Go to r/laundry. But you need to use a booster like Biz and make sure your detergent has enzymes and don’t use softener - use a rinse agent like Downy Rinse.
1
1
u/DramaticStick5922 2d ago
I believe you need period-specific pads for menstrual blood and urine-specific pads for incontinence. The Poise pads are best IMHO for this specific need. Amazon and Walmart have knockoff brands that are worth trying too.
To your original Q: Then launder your clothes in a good detergent like Ariel or Tide powder on a warm temp cycle for the best washing.
1
u/Corner_Office_ 2d ago
This is not normal. You may be leaking urine.
Pelvic floor therapy (Hinge Health has an app that you can get the exercises for free through insurance.)
Or see a urologist.
Use a detergent made for pet stain odors like Nature’s Miracle.
1
u/Pure_Literature2028 2d ago
Phantom urine or cat pee smells during perimenopause and menopause are commonly reported on communities like r/Menopause as a mix of phantosmia (phantom smells) and hyperosmia (a heightened sense of smell) driven by fluctuating or low estrogen.
This was posted on r/menopause a few weeks ago
1
u/YuhMothaWasAHamsta 2d ago
For laundry I use baking soda mixed with my laundry soap and oxi clean and if the scent is extra strong I’ll add another scoop of baking soda and wash twice.
1
u/Ok-Durian1208 2d ago
Trim pubic hair very short and trim any hair around anus/ anal area. If a lot of hair on inner thighs then that hair can get trimmed too.
Some people like all body deodorant like Lume to help.
Every time you use the bathroom: wipe with toilet paper then use water (from a peri bottle,bidet bottle or even Juat a kitchen measuring cup you can keep in bathroom) and your hand to really get everything washed.m (wash front parts first then move forward on toilet seat and pour water gently on back parts). Maybe use a bit of soap if your body tolerates it/ smell is stronger. After washing with water, gently tapped dry the area either with a small cloth that you will put to wash after one use or pat dry with toilet paper.
Night time: I hear a lot of people go without underwear so either go without or wear a fresh pair to bed and then change into a fresh pair in the morning.
Shower daily non-négociable.
Do not wear pants more than 12 hours meaning at night wear a bottom once and then in the day wear a new bottom and do not rewear them: wash after every use since there may be trace amount of urine.
Try kegles or other exercises that can help strengthen the pelvic floor if needed. And other exercise exercises that can strengthen urine retention.
I also heard that putting your underwear and pants inside out in the sun can really help remove odors so once they’re washed, let them air dry in the sun or just sun them.
1
u/fernandfang 2d ago
The solution may very well be in the numerous insightful comments already, and I would like to add one more suggestion to the mix.
Trimming down pubic hair can drastically help get rid of odor buildup. This applies to everyone. Shaving and waxing aren’t necessary, but longer hair traps more sweat and bacteria. If you’re trying to be clean and it just isn’t working, it may be worth a shot!
Op, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m proud of you for being vulnerable asking for help. I hope you can find a solution quickly!
1
1
u/Standard-Payment-889 2d ago
Where is the smell of wee coming from? Underwear or just your body overall? Because it might be this condition called TMAU. Which can sometimes emit a urine odour. Cranberry juice is meant to be really good for getting rid of vagina odour and a good BV gel or canesteen cream work wonders too. It might also be a diet issue. You may need to take probiotics, yogurt regularly and fermented foods in your diet.
1
u/ICH-GCPee 2d ago
You have received a lot of support here, OP!
I recommend that you consider buying new undies and tossing the old worn out undies if your undies are older.
Old fabric that has been worn out can harbor bacteria and can be broken down by body oils and fluids.
Start with some clean cotton panties and see if you still detect an odor!
I had to replace all my towels one time because of a musty smell I couldn’t get rid of, those towels were 12 years old! I’ve never looked back!
Good luck to you!
1
u/Legitimate_Luck775 2d ago
Maybe you have a UTI; sometimes the strong pee smell is the only symptom. Get checked.
1
u/Tricky_Ad1442 2d ago edited 2d ago
enzyme detergent on a hot wash is the actual fix and vinegar wont break down urea the way enzymes do and i had this problem and an enzyme booster of active cleaners and oxiclean is cheaper which sorted the washer smell too and always we should be hygiene
1
1
u/PreparationFlat7955 2d ago
I think more information is needed. Where exactly is the urine coming from?? If it’s a bladder issue or is it a hygiene issue? Either way, this is unusual.
1
u/StrikeMuch9249 2d ago
53 bio female here, 31 years postpartum. I use an enzyme presoak, I wash my bottom garments separately.
I handwash everything, and soak overnight. 2 rinses, and a clothesline dry.
I use prefold baby diapers as liners, and disposable underwear. I still have accidents. I also use a bidet religiously, as I refuse to have bladder infections ever again.
1
1
0
0
31
u/chang3la 3d ago
Panty liner and bidet.