How to Make Your Butt Smell Good (The Honest Hygiene Guide)

Updated September 2026

How do you make your butt smell good? Wash the area daily with a gentle cleanser, dry it thoroughly, wear breathable underwear and change out of sweaty clothes quickly. Body odor happens when sweat meets the bacteria on your skin, so keeping the area clean and dry does most of the work. See a doctor if the smell changes suddenly, is fishy, fruity or bleach-like, or comes with discharge, itching or a rash.

Heads up: this is one of those topics nobody talks about and everyone Googles. Some scent down there is normal for every healthy adult. Here's what's normal, what's worth a doctor's visit, and how to stay fresh without irritating sensitive skin. No judgment.

Is it normal for your butt to smell?

Yes, to a degree. According to Cleveland Clinic, body odor is what you smell when sweat comes into contact with bacteria on your skin, and the groin is one of the areas with apocrine sweat glands, the kind most linked to odor. Add in:

• Fabric trapping heat and moisture all day
• A skin fold between the cheeks where sweat collects
• Sitting for hours
• Being next door to other body areas that contribute

The goal isn't to smell like nothing. It's to feel clean and comfortable.

When is butt odor a sign of something else?

Usually normal

• A mild musky scent at the end of a long day
• Stronger scent after a workout, before you shower
• Some scent between the cheeks
• Small changes across your menstrual cycle

Worth seeing a doctor

• A strong fishy smell with unusual vaginal discharge, especially after sex. The NHS lists this as a sign of bacterial vaginosis, which is common and treatable.
• A fruity smell, which Cleveland Clinic notes could indicate diabetes.
• A bleach-like smell, which can be a sign of liver or kidney disease.
• Odor with discharge, itching or a rash, which could be an infection.
• A sudden change in smell, or odor that doesn't improve with good hygiene.

If any of these apply, don't try to cover it up. Get it checked.

What's the best daily routine for a fresh-smelling butt?

In the shower

1. Wash daily with a gentle body wash. The NHS suggests washing your groin (along with armpits and feet) at least twice a day with soap if body odor is a problem.
2. Be gentle. Cleveland Clinic suggests antibacterial soap on sweaty areas can help with odor; if it dries or irritates your skin, go back to a gentle wash.
3. Dry thoroughly. Bacteria love moisture, so pat the area completely dry, including between the cheeks.
4. After a sweaty workout, shower or at least rinse and change as soon as you can.

What you wear

• Natural fabrics. The NHS recommends cotton, wool and silk. Cleveland Clinic also notes moisture-wicking fabrics help.
• Change daily, and again after workouts.
• Looser at night. Loose cotton or nothing at all lets the area air out.

What to skip

• Douching or perfumed products in or around the vagina. The NHS lists perfumed soaps, bubble bath and shower gels as things that make bacterial vaginosis more likely.
• Heavily scented body products. They mask rather than fix, and fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.
• Scented wipes every day. An occasional wipe is fine; fragrance-free is kinder to skin.
• Scrubbing hard. Irritated skin doesn't smell better, it just hurts.

What if you sweat a lot down there?

• Antiperspirant or deodorant made for body use, on the outer skin, not between the cheeks or on broken or freshly shaved skin. The NHS lists antiperspirants and deodorants among self-help options.
• A talc-free body powder first thing in the morning to help with moisture.
• Breathable workout gear and a quick change afterward. If sweaty gear is also giving you breakouts, see why your butt breaks out after spin class.
• See a doctor if sweating is heavy enough to disrupt daily life or suddenly increases. There are treatments for excessive sweating.

Does what you eat affect how you smell?

A bit. Cleveland Clinic notes sulfur-rich foods like garlic and onions can intensify body odor, and the NHS suggests not overdoing strong-smelling or spicy food and alcohol. You don't need to cut these out. Just know they can shift your scent.

Does your period change how you smell?

Scent can shift across your cycle, and that's normal. During your period, change pads, tampons or cups regularly, and wash the vulva with water or a mild, unperfumed wash.

Why do you worry about it more than anyone notices?

Body odor anxiety is very common and usually out of proportion to reality. If you're worried about a partner, ask. Most people would rather have a slightly awkward conversation than have you anxious in silence. And if the worry persists even when nobody else notices anything, that's worth mentioning to a doctor too.

FAQ

How often should I shower?

Daily works for most people, plus after heavy sweating. If odor is a problem, the NHS suggests washing sweaty areas at least twice a day.

Do I need a special butt or intimate wash?

Usually not. A gentle, fragrance-free body wash handles the outside. Don't wash inside the vagina. Use a specific product only if your doctor recommends one.

Does shaving or waxing help with odor?

It may help sweat evaporate a little faster, but hair removal can bring irritation and ingrown hairs. It's a personal choice, not a hygiene requirement.

Why does it smell worse on some days?

Hormones, sweat, diet, alcohol, stress, illness and some medications can all play a part. Some day-to-day variation is normal.

Does a butt scrub help with odor?

Not really. A scrub like Becky Booty Scrub exfoliates and leaves skin feeling smoother and softer, but it isn't a deodorant or antibacterial. Clean, dry skin and breathable fabric are what help with smell. If your skin is easily irritated, start with our sensitive-skin butt routine.

What if I'm struggling to get fully clean after using the toilet?

Wipe front to back, and a bidet or water rinse can help. If you often find it hard to get clean or notice leakage, talk to a doctor. It's common, and it's treatable.

The bottom line

Wash gently every day, dry thoroughly, wear breathable underwear and change out of sweaty clothes fast. Skip perfumed products around the vagina. See a doctor if the smell changes suddenly or comes with other symptoms. You're almost always more aware of it than anyone else.