You have been outside all day with your best friend, and now you’re home. But when you walk in the door you smell like a wet dog. There is nothing more embarrassing than walking into someone’s house after being out for hours smelling like a wet dog. We will explore the reasons why this happens and how to fix it.
Why Do I Smell Like a Wet Dog After Being Outside?
Body odor happens when bacteria on your skin come in contact with sweat. Our skin is naturally covered with bacteria. When we sweat, the water, salt and fat mix with this bacteria and can cause odor. The smell can be bad, good or have no smell at all.
The smell is caused by a protein called apocrine secretions, which are triggered by heat and moisture. Wet dog smells are caused by bacteria found in water that cause the release of sulfur-containing compounds, which cause a distinct musk to form when mixed with sweat
Another reason might be that you interacted with a dog while you were outside which might have left a drool, uring or poop stain on you.
When you go out into the sun all day your sweat, skin cells, and dander (from animals) hair can leave behind an odor that lingers for up to 24 hours after being outdoors because of the effect UV light has on these odors. This is why people who work indoors often wear deodorant.
5 Real Reasons Why You Smell like a Wet Dog After Spending Time Outside
You Have a Lingering Body Odor
A lingering body odor is a common culprit for the wet dog smell. The primary cause of this type of odor comes from bacteria that are living on and in your skin, which can produce chemicals that cause a strong odor. One of the most common causes is sweat that has not been adequately washed out by soap and water or rubbed away with an antiperspirant deodorant. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. A lot of people struggle with body odor, but there are ways to address it.
You Sweat a lot
If you smell like a wet dog after being outside, there are several reasons why this might be the case. One reason that many people experience this is because their sweat glands produce more perspiration in warmer, humid weather. Another reason is that certain types of bacteria such as the ones found in our mouths, release an odor when they are mixed with sweat and oils on your skin. These smells can last for several hours after you have been outside.
You may sweat more than you think. In fact, did you know that:
The body can sweat so much and it interferes with day-to-day activities. For example, if you’re sweating profusely while trying to work or during an important meeting, it’s difficult to concentrate because all your focus is on the discomfort and embarrassment of sweating.
Sweat itself is odorless but bacteria on the skin break down sweat molecules into acids that have an unpleasant smell. That’s why it’s important to shower regularly and wear clean clothes – especially when working out. And don’t forget deodorant.
Although everyone sweats differently and to different degrees, it’s important to be mindful of how much you’re sweating and when it might be a sign of something more serious. So if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please reach out for help.
Bacteria Growth in Your Hair
One of the reasons people may smell like a wet dog after spending time outside is because of bacteria growth in their hair. This is especially common in black hair, as it produces more sebum than other types of hair. The “Once a week” mantra is not recommended for the black community, but every two to three days instead. Hair should be dried thoroughly after washing, especially if it is black or dark brown and has more sebum production by nature.
Bad Shampoo
Bad shampoo is one of the most likely reasons for smelling like a wet dog after being outside. The chemicals in your hair products react with sweat and other oils on your skin, giving you that wet dog smell.
The best solution to this problem is using shampoo with a low pH level so that the chemicals don’t react as readily with oils on your skin and hair. Many people are looking for a great clarifying shampoo that will remove unwanted residue and bacteria from their hair. If you are one of those people, Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo may be a good option for you. This shampoo is sulfate-free and designed to cleanse the hair without harsh chemicals. It also contains tea tree oil, which is known for its antibacterial properties.
Possible Mold Growth Inside Your House
Mold is a fungus that can grow both indoors and outdoors. It’s often found in damp, dark places, such as basements, showers, and crawlspaces. You can smell like a wet dog if you come in contact with mold outside without washing up.
Mold can cause health problems for people with asthma or allergies, and it can also damage property. The most common cause of moldy hair is leaving your hair wet for an extended period of time. Some other causes include not shampooing properly, using the wrong products, and wearing dirty clothes (such as sports gear or work clothes) outside in hot weather or damp conditions.
Gas Leak
A gas leak is a common cause of smelling like a wet dog after being outside. A gas company may be releasing natural or manmade gases into the air that are causing you to smell bad. If you smell like a wet dog after being outside, it is more likely that you have been sniffing gas leaks in your home.
How To Get Rid of Wet Dog Smell After Being Outside
Always Dry Your Hair to Remove Moisture After Being Outside
You should dry your hair thoroughly after shampooing. Wet hair attracts bacteria, which can lead to an unpleasant smell. For black women and people with sebum-rich hair, washing their hair every day could be counterproductive. The mantra is that you should wash your hair every two to three days so as not to build up residue and smell bad.
If you dry your hair thoroughly, it will prevent sebum and residue buildup, which will leave your hair fresh instead of smelling sour.
Take A thorough Bath
The wet dog smell sometimes occurs when people come in contact with an animal or their droppings. The most common culprits are dogs, cats and raccoons. If you suspect that your wet dog smell is caused by a pet, wash all bedding and clothing in the house and most importantly, take a thorough bath.
Use Deodorants on your body
Some people will use deodorants on their bodies to help get rid of the wet dog smell after being outside. This is because it contains a lot of chemicals that are meant to prevent smells.
Use Essential Oils
One way to cover up wet dog smell is by using essential oils. Carrying a small bottle of essential oil with you is an easy way to keep your pet’s smell under control while on the go. However, it’s important to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil before applying it directly to your skin, as some people may have negative reactions to certain scents.
You can also use spray-on odor neutralizers or invest in some luxury organic European duvet covers like these that will help eliminate wet dog smells from furniture and carpets.
Get Rid of Clothes That Have Dog Pee Stains
Pee-stained clothes can be a nightmare to get rid of. The thing is, there are different methods for removing the smell from your hands and skin (which will also help remove any lingering smell on your clothes).
- If you are trying to get rid of the smell from just your hands, it’s best to use soap and water. You can also try using a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.
- If you are trying to get rid of the smell from your skin, it’s best to use a soap that has an antibacterial ingredient in it (like triclosan or benzalkonium chloride).
- If you want to get the smell out of your clothes, it’s best to wash them in the hottest water possible. You can also try adding a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle.
- The smell of wet dog may be embarrassing, but it’s not harmful in any way. However, if you are concerned about the odor lingering on your skin or clothes, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Ensure to Treat Dandruff
Dandruff is a common scalp condition that causes flaking of the skin and sometimes can bring about the dog smell when your hair is wet. The flakes can be white, yellow, or gray, and may be large or small. Dandruff may also cause a wet dog smell. T Gel is an effective dandruff shampoo that removes the dead skin cells from your scalp. It also helps to control the formation of new cells, preventing dandruff from coming back.
Why do I stink after being outside?
When you go outside, do you come back smelling like a wet dog? Well, there could be a real reason why that’s happening. It turns out that your body odor might be the culprit.
Apocrine glands are responsible for producing body odor, and that’s why it’s important to wash with soap often and get rid of bacteria on your skin. Sweating is a natural process, but it’s important to stay clean so you don’t have any body odor issues. Your body odor can change in many ways, and sometimes that can indicate some form of health condition. If you’re concerned about your body odor, make sure to talk to your doctor.
How do you get rid of the wet dog smell without a bath?
There are a few ways to get rid of the wet dog smell without a bath.
- Wash your clothes. If you can, wash the clothing that smells like a wet dog as soon as possible. The smell will be worse if left for too long, and it may be hard to get rid of.
- Baking soda. If you can’t wash your clothes, try sprinkling baking soda on them and let them sit overnight. Then, wash them as usual.
- Soap and water. Wash your clothes with soap and water, even if you don’t plan on washing the clothing for a while. This will help get rid of the smell before it gets worse.
- Vinegar. Try putting a cup or two of vinegar in your laundry machine and wash as usual. This will help get rid of the smell.
- Lemon juice. If you have a load of laundry that smells like wet dog, put a cup or two of lemon juice in your washing machine and wash as usual.
- Dryer sheets. If you have a load of laundry that smells like wet dog, put dryer sheets in your washing machine and wash as usual.
