While what smells gross to one person might not seem so bad to another, there are certain smells that most people will agree are not very nice. The following are just some of the smells that are considered offensive by most people. Note that they are not in order of rottenness…
Raw Sewage
It would be hard to find anyone who thought the smell of fecal matter or raw sewage was pleasant. Thankfully, most of us do not have to put up with the smell of raw sewage very often. Sometimes though a foul, rotten egg-type smell can linger in homes. This happens when there are leaks in a plumbing system or when sewer pipes are cracked. The bad smell comes from gases such as hydrogen sulfide that are given off when human waste is broken down. If you smell raw sewage in your home, it is a good idea to contact a local plumber to check for leaks or cracks in the pipe system.
Smelly Feet
The buildup of bacteria in shoes that are warm and moist because of sweat can lead to a very unpleasant smell. If the same shoes are worn over and over again, they are not getting a chance to air and dry, so the smell can get worse. Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can also cause smelly feet. However, ShoeFresh, makers of an innovative shoe odor spray, say that washing your feet daily and changing your socks often can help to minimize the problem. You should also spray your shoes with an odor-eliminating spray that can keep smells at bay for up to three months.
Wet Dog
In the same way that a buildup of bacteria causes smelly feet, bacteria that accumulates on a dog’s fur can also cause a smell that is less than pleasant. And this smell gets worse when the dog is wet. These bacteria release chemicals that are quite overpowering when mixed with water; when the water evaporates, the smell is released into the air. To avoid the smell of wet dog lingering in the air, you should dry your dog as quickly as you can using a towel or a hair dryer on a cool setting.
Body Odor
A buildup of sweat is also responsible for B.O., or body odor, which can smell quite nasty. Because sweating is a natural and important body function, there is nothing you can or should do to prevent it from happening. But there are things that you can do to stop it from smelling bad. If you are prone to excessive sweating, you are more likely to suffer with body odor. To combat this, you should wash areas of your body that sweat more such as the groin, feet, and armpits at least twice per day. Make sure to wash with soap and then fully dry these areas. Make sure you are changing your clothes at least every day and go for breathable fabrics such as wool, silk, and cotton. If your body odor is severe, you may be able to get a stronger antiperspirant from your local drug store.
Conclusion
There are some smells that we as humans find offensive, and some that are just unpleasant. Most people do not like the smell of raw sewage, body odor, or wet dog. Others might not find these too nasty.
If you do find these smells disgusting, you will be glad to know that there are steps you can take to get rid of them such as using foot odor sprays for smelly feet and regularly changing socks and clothing to avoid a buildup of stinky sweat.