A mother has confessed she is being driven to distraction by one "unbearable" habit of her son's live-in girlfriend, which she simply cannot overlook.
The Unwashable Problem
The stressed parent explained on the forum Mumsnet that the young woman is staying with her family for an indefinite period. While they were initially welcoming, a severe issue has emerged: the girlfriend "hardly ever showers or washes her clothes."
This has led to a powerful and persistent body odour that the mum finds overwhelming. "It has got to the stage where I dread giving her lifts anywhere, because of the smell in the car," she wrote. "I can even smell when she's been in a room."
Failed Attempts to Help
The concerned woman has tried to tackle the problem subtly. She once gathered some of the girlfriend's clothes to wash, pretending she needed to make up a full load in the machine. She has also shown her how to use both the washing machine and the shower.
Her son, who washes his own clothes, regularly offers to do laundry for his partner, but she always declines. The mother felt compelled to raise the sensitive issue with her son directly, hoping he would address it.
"He said he is aware of the problem, but it didn't really seem to bother him," she revealed. Despite her suggestion that he speak to his girlfriend, she doesn't believe any conversation has happened. The situation became acutely awkward during a family visit on Boxing Day, where the mother was painfully conscious of the odour.
A Community Responds
Other Mumsnet users were shocked that the son wasn't more concerned. One advised setting firm hygiene rules as a condition for continuing to live in the house, suggesting the purchase of deodorant and nice body washes to encourage better habits.
Another commenter shared a powerful personal story, explaining they had been similar as a teenager after a difficult upbringing. "I really didn't understand," they wrote, crediting a friend's family with gently modelling good routines without direct confrontation, which eventually led to a lifelong change in habits.
Back in the original poster's home, the problem continues. The mum admitted she is now so desperate she has considered running a bath for the young woman, especially as she currently has a bad cold. However, she knows this wouldn't solve the long-term hygiene issue that is affecting her, her husband, and her daughter.
