How To/Guides
How to Get Rid of Armpit Smell: 7 Tips for Odor-free Pits
2 Min Read | Date : 11/10/2025
Every human body is a unique ecosystem, a dynamic balance of processes and functions. One of these functions is sweating, a natural and essential process that regulates your body temperature. However, it's also the main contributor to armpit odor. But why do armpits smell? Let's dive in and demystify this often-misunderstood bodily function.
What causes armpit odor?
The main cause of armpit odor is not the sweat itself, but the bacteria that thrive in the warm, moist environment of your underarms. When you sweat, these bacteria break down the proteins and fats in your sweat, and produce the distinctive smell associated with body odor. Factors like diet, stress, hormonal changes, and genetics can influence how much you sweat and how your body odor develops.
Even if you're using deodorant, you might still experience smelly armpits. This could be due to various factors such as diet, stress, hormonal changes, or the type of bacteria present in your underarms. Luckily, there are actionable steps you can take to control armpit odor and boost your confidence.
How do I stop my armpits from smelling?
1. Maintain proper hygiene
A consistent hygiene routine is your first defense against armpit odor. Washing daily (and after workouts) helps remove sweat and odor-causing bacteria.
Tips to stop armpit smell through better hygiene:
- Use antibacterial soap or body wash. This helps reduce odor-causing bacteria on your skin.
- Exfoliate gently a few times a week. Dead skin cells can trap bacteria. A mild scrub helps keep your underarms cleaner and smoother.
- Dry completely before applying deodorant. Moisture can dilute your deodorant and reduce its effectiveness.
- Shave or trim underarm hair. Less hair means fewer places for bacteria to hide and grow.
For an extra layer of confidence, try Degree Whole Body Deodorant, designed for sensitive areas like chest and thighs (and yes underarms). Gentle enough to use all over, strong enough to fight odor.
2. Choose breathable clothing
What you wear directly impacts how much you sweat, and how much bacteria can thrive.
Here’s how to dress for odor-free underarms:
- Stick to breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking blends to keep your skin dry.
- Avoid tight-fitting tops that trap heat and sweat.
- Wash clothes frequently, especially workout gear. Bacteria can linger in fabrics even after one wear.
- Rotate shirts. Wearing the same one too often without a wash can lead to odor buildup.
If you’re worried about deodorant stains, try Degree Advanced Invisible Protection, which uses UltraClear Black+White technology to prevent white marks on dark clothes and yellow stains on light ones—all while giving you 72-hour odor and sweat protection.
3. Watch your diet
Your diet plays a bigger role in body odor than you might think. Certain foods can change the composition of your sweat, making it smell stronger or sour.
Foods that can make armpit odor worse:
- Garlic, onions, and spicy foods (they release sulfur compounds through sweat)
- Red meat and processed foods (which can affect how your body metabolizes proteins)
- Alcohol and caffeine (which can increase sweating)
Foods that can help reduce odor:
- Leafy greens like spinach and kale. These contain chlorophyll, which can neutralize odors
- Citrus fruits. Their natural acids may help flush out toxins
- Water. Staying hydrated dilutes sweat and helps your body regulate temperature naturally
You don’t have to overhaul your entire diet, but being mindful of what you eat can go a long way toward stopping armpit odor before it starts.
4. Switch to antiperspirant
Unlike deodorants that mask odor, antiperspirants reduce sweat. Degree antiperspirants are designed to stop odor before it starts and offer superior protection for active lifestyles.
Degree offers different levels of protection depending on your lifestyle and needs:
- Degree Clinical Protection Antiperspirant: For maximum-strength sweat and odor defense. Perfect if you sweat heavily or have long, active days.
- Degree Advanced Protection: Provides up to 72 hours of sweat and odor protection that moves with you. MotionSense technology releases bursts of fragrance as you move, keeping you fresh when life gets intense.
- Degree UltraClear Antiperspirant: Designed to fight both sweat and stains—ideal if you want freshness without worrying about your wardrobe.
Whichever you choose, apply to clean, dry underarms (ideally at night, when sweat glands are less active) for the best results.
6. Keep your laundry fresh
Bacteria can linger in fabric if left unwashed. Make sure you wash your clothes promptly to prevent bacteria buildup.
7. Manage stress and exercise sweat
Sometimes, armpit odor isn’t just physical—it’s triggered by stress. Emotional sweating happens when you’re anxious or nervous, and it often smells stronger because it comes from apocrine glands, which produce thicker, protein-rich sweat.
How to reduce stress-related sweat:
- Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga
- Get enough rest. Lack of sleep can trigger more stress sweat
- Stay active to balance hormones and regulate your body’s sweat response
Getting armpit odor under control starts with smart habits—staying clean, wearing breathable fabrics, and finding the right product for your body chemistry. When you feel fresh, you move more freely and confidently.
