Short answer: The smell that builds up in clothes and rooms is largely oily residue from skin that has worked its way into fabric and gone stale. Wash what you can as warm as the care label allows, add oxygen bleach for collars and bedding, freshen what you can't wash with bicarbonate of soda and fresh air, and repeat the routine every week. Air freshener only covers it up.
Why the smell clings to fabric
Skin makes an oily film called sebum. As we get older its make-up changes, and some of those oils break down when they react with air. In a study of people aged 26 to 75, researchers at the Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido found a greasy, grassy-smelling compound called 2-nonenal only in the body odour of people aged 40 and over (Haze et al., 2001, Journal of Investigative Dermatology). You can read more in what is nonenal?
Because these residues are oily, a quick, cool wash does not shift them well. They settle into pillowcases, collars, armchairs and anything else that touches skin for hours. A 2014 consumer guide from Shiseido (in Japanese) points out that the smell builds up in clothes, and that it is often more noticeable in winter, when coats and jumpers are washed less often.
Fabric matters too. In a small Belgian study, polyester T-shirts worn in an indoor cycling class smelled stronger and less pleasant than cotton ones (Callewaert et al., 2014, Applied and Environmental Microbiology). It looked at sweat rather than age-related smell, but it shows synthetic fabrics can hang on to odours.
We all get used to the smell of our own home, so if you are unsure, ask someone you trust. And if your body odour changes suddenly or strongly, mention it to your GP.
Clothes and bedding
Choose the right temperature
Warm water shifts oily residue far better than cold. Check the care label first, then use the warmest setting it allows.
| Item | Suggested wash |
|---|---|
| Cotton pillowcases, sheets and towels | 60°C if the label allows. Pillowcases twice a week; sheets and towels weekly. |
| Cotton underwear and vests | 60°C if the label allows. |
| Shirts, blouses, polyester and mixed fabrics | 40°C, with oxygen bleach in the drum or a pre-soak for collars and underarms. |
| Wool, silk and delicates | Follow the label: wool cycle or hand wash. No oxygen bleach. Air well between wears. |
| Coats, jackets and knitwear | Wash or dry clean as the label says, at least once a season, and air them between wears. |
Use oxygen bleach for stubborn smells
Oxygen bleach is a white powder, often sold as a laundry stain remover; the active ingredient is usually sodium percarbonate. It is gentler than chlorine bleach and suits most colourfast whites and colours.
- For collars, cuffs and pillowcases, dissolve a scoop in warm water and soak for a few hours or overnight, then wash as normal.
- For a whole load, add a scoop to the drum alongside your usual detergent.
- It works best in warm water, so follow the temperature on the pack.
- Test it on a hidden seam first, and never use it on wool, silk or leather.
- Don't mix it with chlorine bleach or other cleaners, and store it out of reach of children.
Help your washing machine help you
- Don't overfill the drum; clothes need room to move.
- Use the full dose of detergent. Biological detergents contain enzymes that help break down body soils, though some people with sensitive skin prefer non-biological.
- Go easy on fabric conditioner, which can leave a coating on fibres.
- Once a month, run an empty hot wash, wipe the rubber door seal, and leave the door ajar between washes.
Where vinegar fits in
A small cup of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer can freshen towels, and its smell fades as the laundry dries. Never use it in the same wash as chlorine bleach, because together they release a harmful gas. Some washing-machine manufacturers advise against regular vinegar use because it can wear rubber parts, so check your manual first.
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda in the US) and vinegar cancel each other out, so use one or the other in a wash, not both.
Dry it quickly and completely
Take washing out as soon as the cycle ends; damp laundry left in the drum soon smells musty. Dry outdoors when you can, and make sure everything is fully dry before it goes back in a drawer.
Around the home
Fresh air every day
Open windows for 10 to 15 minutes each morning, ideally on opposite sides of the house so air flows through. In the bedroom, pull the duvet back when you get up and let the bed air before you make it.
Sofas and armchairs
Upholstery collects residue where heads, necks and arms rest. Vacuum it weekly with the upholstery tool, and check the label under the cushions before using any liquid; washable covers can go in the machine as directed.
For fabric you can't wash, sprinkle a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda over it (test a hidden spot first), leave it for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly. A washable throw over the headrest and arms saves a lot of work. Leather needs its own cleaner, so don't use powders on it.
Mattresses and pillows
A washable mattress protector is the most useful thing here; wash it as warm as its label allows. When you change the bed, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the mattress, leave it for several hours with the window open, then vacuum it up. Wash washable pillows every few months, and replace any that still smell stale afterwards.
Carpets and rugs
Vacuum slowly, going over each area more than once. For a stale-smelling room, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the carpet in the evening and vacuum it up in the morning. For a deeper clean, hire a carpet-washing machine, test it on a hidden corner first, and dry the room well afterwards.
Curtains
Curtains absorb the air of a room for years. Check the label: many unlined curtains can be machine washed on a gentle cycle, while lined or heavy ones may need dry cleaning. Between cleans, vacuum them with the brush attachment or air them outside on a dry, breezy day.
Wardrobes and drawers
Don't put worn clothes back next to clean ones; air them overnight on a chair first. Once or twice a year, empty the wardrobe, wipe the shelves and leave the doors open for a day. A packed wardrobe holds smells, so pass on what you no longer wear.
A simple routine to keep it from coming back
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Daily | Open windows, air the bed, air worn clothes before putting them away. |
| Twice a week | Change pillowcases. |
| Weekly | Wash sheets, towels and throws; vacuum sofas, chairs and carpets. |
| Monthly | Clean the washing machine; freshen the mattress with bicarbonate of soda. |
| Each season | Wash or clean coats, knitwear, curtains and duvets. |
The other half of the picture is washing skin well, especially the areas that touch pillows and collars. Our guide on how to use persimmon soap walks through those areas, and the routine works with any soap. For causes and the bigger picture, see old person smell.
Frequently asked questions
Does air freshener get rid of old person smell?
Not on its own. Sprays sold as "odour eliminators" (or "odor eliminators" in the US) can freshen a room for a while, but they don't wash out the residue in fabrics. Fresh air, warm washes and regular cleaning deal with the source.
Is a 30°C wash enough?
For lightly worn clothes it may be. Oily residue on pillowcases, collars and towels often needs 40 to 60°C, or a pre-soak with oxygen bleach. Always stay within the care label.
Can I mix bicarbonate of soda and vinegar?
The mixture fizzes, but the two neutralise each other, so you lose most of the benefit of both. Use them separately.
How can I raise this kindly with an older relative?
Keep it practical and private. Offering help with heavy jobs, such as washing bedding and curtains or turning a mattress, is often easier than talking about the smell itself, and it lets them stay in charge of their own home.