There are a lot of things that are not fun about getting older. Your joints don’t move as well as they used to, you find yourself getting tired more often than before, and your memory is not as strong as it used to be.

Another negative part about aging is the infamous “old people smell.” Though it’s hard to describe, all of us know exactly what this smells like. Some would describe the smell as “musty” or “medicinal,” but everyone agrees that it is very unpleasant.

Researchers have found some of the causes of the “old people smell,” and we’ve compiled some tips to avoid this from happening!

Living in closed spaces

Older people tend to stay inside more and live in smaller spaces with little fresh air coming in. This then causes the “musty” smell that others notice. To prevent this ‘musty’ odor, air out the home regularly.

Not cleaning regularly 

As your joints start to not work as well as they used to, you don’t have the energy to clean as much as you did when you were younger. This causes mold, bacteria, and odor to build up, which results in a nasty smell. Make sure to clean as often as possible or get someone to help out.

Laundry not being done

Older people sometimes stop doing laundry as much for the same reason they don’t clean as often. The less clothes are laundered, the more stale and “old” they’ll begin to smell.

Dehydration

As we age, our bodies do not retain water like they used to, which can also result in us emitting a bad odor. Drinking water and staying hydrated helps eliminate this problem fairly quickly.

Lack of Saliva 

Your mouth produces less saliva as you age, especially if you have dentures. This can lead to bad breath, so it’s a good idea to have good dental hygiene.

Which of these causes of the infamous “old person smell” surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments section, and SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!