I wasn't ever going to write about this. I've thought about it, but felt it wasn't any of my business to mention it, but when a customer mentioned it, I thought, maybe it's time we have this discussion. Solution....
We've all been next to an artist who smelled worse than a sweaty horse. Certainly, this summer was 'the summer' for sweating. We all try to be clean. We take a shower, and our deodorant fails, we stink, we don't know why. We get embarrassed and frustrated.
Maybe some artists don't care if they stink, but I think 99% of us do care. There is a solution. First, you have to understand why this happens. The reason our underarms stink, is that, that's where bacteria and fungus grow, and it can't be totally washed off. Read it again. It can't be totally washed off, and when the bacteria/fungus heat up, the stink comes back.
We take a shower. We smell clean. We put on deodorant, we go outside, and for some reason an hour later, we stink. Ooooh don't lift your arms to take down that painting. Even the werewolves would run and gag.
OK, I know this topic might offend some people, I certainly hope not, that isn't my intent. My intent is to help all of us with a solution we might not have known...or were afraid to discuss.
I've been next to artists whose underarms smell so bad, I wonder how a customer can bear to stay around and talk, much less buy art. Personally, I would leave, and I think they do also.
SOLUTION: Get either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Dunk a cotton ball in it, and liberally wipe your underarms. Voila, the stink is gone. The bacteria/fungus is gone. OK, you will smell like vinegar for 10 min, but that's all. You can do this at night before you go to bed, or you can do it 10 min before you get in the morning shower, or both. You can use deodorant the next day if you want extra protection, but you don't actually have to. If you're going to be near customers, you might want to, but if you're at home, you can forget it.
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Excellent post! Always good to address the stinkier parts of our trade :)
I totally agree with wearing loosely woven linens and cottons. They let the damp escape and dry quickly. Fitted shirts can keep the damp spots under your arms more localized than loose shirts, too.
Disappointed to read your post a second time, Paul, and realize that you specified RUBBING alcohol. . .
This is interesting. I have made it a point to wear clothes that don’t show when they are wet, more for when my back is sweaty.
Medium to darker shades, not black (I look bad in black), usually prints. The pattern hides wetness. Always 100% cotton or linen, woven, not knit. If moisture can escape easily you look more dry.
I’ve been trying to get away from anti-perspirants for health reasons, and use deodorants only. But on a show day I still reach for the anti-perspirant. I’m not willing to risk being stinky. But there have been times when I could tell it had failed me. Plus, I’ve had this issue on my hiking trips. Sustained exercise (more than that needed to set up or tear down) seems to wear out the deodorant (?). I will be packing a small bottle of vinegar in the future!
When you know your armpits will be soggy ... wear black.
I stopped wearing black shirts during morning of show set-up (hate those, btw) because I would sweat and as it dried the salt stains would show up. I just bring a shirt to change into and a bunch of baby-wipes to feel clean before getting into a fresh shirt. The absolute worst shirt color to wear was a cotton khaki shirt. A neighbor once remarked that I looked like I just stepped off the African Queen. They were right =8-O. No more Dickey's shirts.
I love this post! The title certainly caught my eye.
I think my husband would have told me if I smelled ~ he can be brutally honest.
But... What about perspiration? Any cures for that?
There's nothing worse than unattractive wet spots under the arms when you're reppin' your jewelry. The best I can do is make mental notes and never wear certain tops again.
All 3 had this problem for years, but thought they were destined to stinky underarms. One said, " A big whopping Thank You, thank you, thank you...no more stinky underarms. I had to smile. Thanks.
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