Au pair with bad body odour Post Reply

[loveearlsfield]

Please help me - I need advice on how to sort the problem of my au pair having really strong body odour. I noticed it slightly from the first day but it seems to be getting stronger and it's starting to make me retch. She is a nice girl and eager to please, I just can't imagine how to bring up the subject and fix the problem!!!

[Jen66]

did you get her through an agency? Can you ask them to have a word?

[loveearlsfield]

No, we recruited her through Au Pair World

[Happymama]

Get your kids to say something ?!!!

Poor you ... I could not think of anything worse!!

[NYE31]

Could you not leave some deodorant out for her in her room & maybe get your children to show her how to use it.

It's a delicate one, she may not be aware? perhaps she has a poor sense of smell but not nice to live with.

Good luck

[Teaandbiscuits]

Oh dear, that's an awkward one. I am a nanny and if there were an issue about my personal hygiene or appearance or conduct I would hope that my employer would discuss it with me gently and in private (I.e not when kids/hubby are around). I think attempts at being subtle and sending the kids in would probably be fairly transparent and might embarrass her even more than a one to one.

If she is live in perhaps check that she feels comfortable with using the family washing machine, and that she has access to the washing powder etc. Does she have an airer for her clothes to dry on properly? Can she get to the family shower in the morning or is it full of kiddies or other adults scrambling to get ready for work? I mention these because when I was live in these were issues I faced. I wasn't actually allowed to use the family washing machine and had to use one attached to the stables on the property... Where the horse blankets were washed!!! Luckily I lived near my parents and used their machine otherwise I would have smelt like Shergar!

Ultimately however she may just not be bothered with what some people consider to be a natural odour. In which case that's all well and good but as her employer I feel you do have the right to ask (respectfully) that she comes to work having paid attention to personal hygiene just as you would expect that she would dress appropriately for the role. Future employers will expect the same and may not be as tactful about it. Hope that helps, good luck!

[NYE31]

Good advice Maddiesmum, I will bear that in mind

[nicolekirk]

I''m with the nanny advice on this one!

I run an au pair agency and if a family came to me with this issue, I would advise to speak to the au pair directly, in a respectful manner.

You will probably find that culturally, she will be able to handle it, so don't worry too much!

Good luck!
Nicole

[ceecee12]

Great advice nanny...

I should make a point of what works well for tackling body odor....

I use mitchum roll on and dove antipersprant spray together. Dove is the blue top one.

These are amazing... Been using same combination for about 4 years works really well.

Also does she have access to a good shower get and shampoo and other toiletries?

Does she know how to use the washing machine and how to store her wet clothes on a clothes maiden? These are just points to add to your list.

[milliemolliemilo]

I have the same problem with my cleaner. It is not nice at all, I completely understand your dilemma. I cannot imagine having to live with it everyday though. I don't know what to do about it either. Sometimes I think I can say something but when she is here I feel bad and don't want to offend her.
She is so lovely and a very good cleaner but the house just does not smell clean and fresh after she has been. The winter months have been worse than summer because it is too cold to open the doors and windows and as I am at home when she is here, I cannot be out in the garden to get away from the body odour smell in the winter. I cannot escape to avoid it either as I am more or less housebound with a chronic illness.
My husband has been working from home recently and was horrified. He finds it's very offensive, so much so he wants me to find a new cleaner, which is a bit harsh and I couldn't so that to her. I suggested he should say something, but what can you say?!
To make things worse she also smokes and brings fresh cigarette smoke smell in with her. Her coat also reeks of smoke and leaves our hallway smelling quite disgusting.
I did but her some lovely soaps for Christmas in the hope that this would help. She always loves the smell of our natural soaps, so I kept that in mind for a gift idea for her. I really don't know if I can buy her deodrant...
Please let me know what you decide to do. Good luck.