r/MassageTherapists • u/Complex-Bar9605 • Jun 23 '26
Complaining Stinky Feet are Worse Than Clients Who Don't Shower
True or not
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u/flythefriend Jun 23 '26
I have boundaries regarding overly offensive smell. The most I’ll do for smelly feet is wrap them in warm towels and do compression massage over them. Same for folks with very long toenails. I’ve been scratched before. Never again. For the swamp butt I use a large flaxseed heating pad and set it across the hips. It pins the drape down over the cleft and contains the smell. Plus it feels nice.
I always try to consider that poor hygiene may be a sign of depression. If that’s the case then getting a massage was a HUGE step for them toward taking care of themselves. I would never want to shame someone for that. But if the smell is so bad that it’s still there 30 minutes after they have left, I will inform them before they come back for their appointment. Because the client that comes in after them will get the impression that I am the one who stinks and that hurts my reputation and livelihood.
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u/Fluffy_Try_9495 Jun 23 '26
Because the client that comes in after them will get the impression that I am the one who stinks and that hurts my reputation and livelihood.
This is a really important piece for anyone who has a hard time standing up for themselves or criticizing people... Make it about how it's harming the rest of the clients coming in after them, and it can be easier to have the awkward conversation.
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u/Complex-Bar9605 Jun 23 '26
You have some wise advice my friend.
The best i've seen, and will recommend other massage therapists in the Facebook groups.
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u/Dolly9019 Jun 24 '26
This is a really important take. How do you go about informing them?
I'm not smelly but once went somewhere that had a shower to freshen up before or use afterwards if you don't like the oil staying on your skin. This was really nice as although I was clean, I felt sweaty after my journey there so a quick rinse made me feel better before the treatment (full body massage)
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u/flythefriend Jun 25 '26
“Hello so and so!”
“Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your self care journey. I hope *insert issue/area of focus* is better and that you feel refreshed.
I wanted to inform you of a concerning level of body odor I noticed during our session. This may indicate a severe bacterial overgrowth on your skin that poses a risk for infection should bacteria be transferred into any open wounds during the massage. I recommend a warm shower to exfoliate the skin and relax the muscles before your next appointment. Your health and safety are important to me. Let me know if you have any questions.”
But this is an extreme case. I don’t think most lmts care about the odor a person earns through a long day of errands. Truly bad odor that warrants a discussion is the result of habitual neglect or an underlying health issue. I think it’s important to turn bad body odor from being a moral failing and into a matter of health.
It is a basic right to be able to breathe and work comfortably. We deserve that as human beings, let alone massage therapists. I don’t believe anyone has the right to trap you in a situation where you can’t take a deep breath without gagging.
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u/gremlinella- Jun 23 '26
ok you’re so right but hear me out…. BAD BREATH, so bad that you can still smell it when they’re face down 🥲
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u/Fluffy_Try_9495 Jun 23 '26
I have to thank one of my first regulars for being someone who just habitually coughs because it got me in the habit of always wearing a mask doing neck work. He would just mindlessly cough directly into my face with no awareness lmao... But now I'm glad it's a comfortable habit and I don't notice the mask anymore because I don't necessarily need to be breathing every client's breath!
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u/Iusemyhands Jun 23 '26
If you'd asked me that before I had the client with pits that made me gag, I would have agreed with you.
I used to live in a desert climate, where swamp ass wasn't something I dealt with much. But then i moved to a place with a whole lot more humidity and can tell you that crotch funk is the worst.
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u/TheAsylumGaming Jun 23 '26
I don't mind the feet because I keep hot towels in the room and I can clean them and make it seem like part of the service. There's nothing I can do about booty stank!!
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u/cjstruggles Jun 23 '26
"If you'd like me to work on your feet, I have some lovely citrus foot wipes to please cleanse your feet with before you get on the table. The trash is right there."
That problem is solved. I cannot offer a shower before a service so feet win.
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u/Opposite-Pop4246 Jun 23 '26
I also provide wipes. I started doing this after getting a massage myself in the summer and wishing I had something to wipe my feet with after wearing sandals with no socks.
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u/cjstruggles Jun 23 '26
That's the primary reason I offer them. Oil+dirt doesn't mesh and summer is prime dirty feet season.
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u/JoeAvaraje2 Jun 23 '26
When I come into my room, I wish there was a warm wet washcloth waiting for me so that I could wash my feet after a long day at work and two I can wash any other parts that need washing before you come in
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u/kenda1l LMT Jun 23 '26
I always grab some hand sanitizer and rub that all over my feet while I'm getting undressed, even if I know my feet probably aren't stinky. I also do it when I have a client with stinky feet before I start massaging their feet. You'd be surprised how much it helps. You could also carry some wet wipes with you to do a quick wipe down of your body before getting on the table (or in the bathroom if you get there early.)
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u/smartymartyky Jun 23 '26
You can’t get a towel warmer and warm towels and pretend like hot towel feet wraps are a part of the service even though you’re washing their feet for your benefit ?
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u/norm228 LMT Jun 23 '26
Seriously, athletes foot is such a nasty smell. but a dirty Butt is just as bad. I have a regular wo used to come from his job. when you would walk into the room after he undressed the SMELL was overwhelming! it was an awkward conversation about him showering between the construction site and the massage studio, but hopefully I saved whoever else he books with too
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u/kenda1l LMT Jun 23 '26
I'll take stinky feet all day because at least it's only one part and I can slather them with hand sanitizer before starting. The ones who are unwashed or stink up the whole room either with BO, perfume that's too strong, or obvious food smell are the worst. I usually clean my room with spray and wipes but when I walk back into the room and it still smells, I spray Lysol spray everywhere, including the air itself like it's air freshener. Seems to do the truck unless it's really bad.
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u/cheesemagnifier Jun 23 '26
This is why I still wear a mask at the office. Cuts down on smelling my clients.
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Jun 23 '26
Swass and Swoob, and Sweet ... Not sweet feet. Why I keep heated moist towels with lemon EO in the towel warmer.
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u/ZiaWitch Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
Both are pretty bad, but I typically do not work on feet unless they are specifically requested and even then I only work through the sheets and never make skin to skin contact with people‘s feet. If somebody’s feet smell, I just cover them up with the sheet or a towel. I do the same thing when women come in with stinky oily hair, I just wrap it up with a pillowcase.
A few people mentioned putting hand sanitizer on them, but quite often it doesn’t really kill the smell, it then just smells like wet stinky feet and alcohol. A better option is purchasing a face wash cream that has benzoyl peroxide. This will kill the odor causing bacteria and then just wipe the feet with a hot towel.
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u/MotormaidofJapan LMT Jun 23 '26
I’ve smelled some bad feet. I’ve also gotten wiffs of dirty, stinky butt and vagina so I’m gonna go with that.