Stinky Teenage Boys

I was at Cosplacon this last weekend and was talking with another mother.  We were discussing on how "fragrant" teen boys can be, no matter how well they wash.  This is caused by hormones, not by the boys not scrubbing well enough.  Thankfully, teen girls don't seem to notice the smell as much as adult women do (or maybe it is what draws them to our sons, like bees to flowers).  I thought I would do a little post on how our family got through this period.

1. Stinky bodies need special soaps:  We found that Red Zone by Old Spice was the best out there.  There are several options  in the soft soap and deodorant line.  The boys come out of the showers sweet smelling and almost as appealing as when they were babies.

2. Stinky feet: If you can, put insoles in their shoes that will wick away the moisture and odor.  These boys tend to want to wear really expensive shoes, so pitching the shoes is hard to do, even if they would allow you to do it.  A good trick (and something I like to do myself) is to make a nice, strong pot of black tea, with maybe a bag of mint tea in as well.  Pour it into a basin and have them soak their feet in it.  The black tea and tannins will kill the bacteria that causes odors and the mint will make their feet feel tingly.  It might tint their skin a bit, but you know they aren't going to take their socks off in public anyway.  We like to sit on the back deck and soak our feet while we watch the sun set.  Very relaxing.

3. Shampoo:  I never had a problem with my boys having stinky hair, but if you do, try to find shampoo and conditioner with mint.  It helps stimulate the scalp and will cut through some of the smells.  Another good thing is Head & Shoulders every so often.  Even if they don't have dandruff, the shampoo is nice on the scalp.

4. Rooms:  Boys' rooms will stink.  Just a given.  Check the floor and closets for wet towels and old socks.  We don't want mold and mildew growing!  Make sure that they REALLY changed their sheets and not just wadded up the clean sheets you gave them and kept the dirty sheets on the bed.  You might have to do it yourself a few times.  Check the blankets and other bedclothes.  They may need to be laundered, especially if they aren't sleeping with sheets like they told you they were.  Vacuum the bed with a new vacuum bag and maybe change out the mattress pad.  I bought a waterproof one for one son who seemed to sweat through the sheets and pad.  Do NOT use carpet cleaner on the carpets.  Rent or hire the Stanley Steemer people.  Do, however, use one of the powder carpet cleaners in small bowls set around the room.  That will help absorb odors.  I used old tea cups hidden behind wrestling trophies on Baby's dresser filled with Love My Carpet.  If you don't find a product you like, or you prefer to use more natural products, you can use plain baking soda.  Let the room air out when you can and keep the drapes open so that natural sunlight can deodorize the room.

Do you have any tips or questions on how to remove puberty stench?  Now is the time to ask and to share!

A shout out to Granny Grunt

I will write about my time at Cosplacon 2014 next weekend when I have decompressed.  Until then, enjoy another blog:
http://grannygruntfun.blogspot.com/

And if you want to know where I went this weekend:
http://cosplacon-mo.squarespace.com/


And just some fashion from someone else's blog that I felt was important to pass on since I need to jean shop myself soon.
http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2009/03/mom-jeans-and-dreaded-long-butt.html
This lady speaks the truth!