Mad Mike's Un-Stench was created to destroy odor.  Not because we're scared of anything that doesn't smell clean and freshly-perfumed, but because we've encountered some serious stench in our times, and some of it has been a little too close to home.

Odor

I've always had feet that want to smell.  Most of the time it's not an issue, but there are some pairs of shoes that just don't want to cooperate.  Soap, water, clean socks, whatever, nothing seems to work.  One pair of outdoor sandals in particular has always been a problem.  They're great shoes, but the sure can get rank.

One trip to Afghanistan made this especially apparent.  Daytime temperatures in the high desert meant plenty of sweat and dust, and there weren't too many opportunities to wash.  There were times we had access to showers, but not enough to combat the evil sandals.

Something had to be done because the odor didn't confine itself to a two-foot zone around my feet.  These were open sandals, and even with socks on, that meant that any stench was free to waft about the room.  On a baking hot day in a cramped car with six other people, things were even worse.  No one mentioned anything (probably because the air was thick with choking dust), but I didn't want to wait to be asked.  

Bacteria

The quick solution was to use antibacterial gel.  I had some for washing hands and fruit when there were no other options available, so I tried it on my feet, shoes, and other smelly areas.  And it worked.  Bacteria cause odor, antibacterial products kill the germs, the odor disappears.  It was a workable solution for the rest of the trip.

Unfortunately the gel contained triclosan, a pretty powerful antibacterial substance that doesn't smell so hot.  Most of the hand gels on the market contain this ingredient, and attempt to mask the smell with other fragrances.  But while they may claim to have pleasing citrus fragrances or fresh scents, none of them smell like something I'd want to bathe in.

More importantly, triclosan isn't something I want in my bloodstream.  There are various studies that are beginning to surface that claim that triclosan and other similar products may cause more harm than good.  They are quite useful in emergencies where you have to deal with infection or unclean conditions, but their daily use can pose risks.   One issue is that antibacterials like triclosan can create strains of bacteria that gradually become immune.  These superbugs can pose a problem because they reduce the effectiveness of antibacterials, making them of little use during times when they really are needed. 

Moreover, little is known about the long-term effects of having a substance like triclosan in the bloodstream or digestive tract, two places it's likely to be if you get it on your hands and skin.  Beyond the risk of creating resistant bacteria, there's also the risk of killing beneficial bacteria.  The human body actually requires many types of bacteria to be able to carry out vital processes, and destroying these bacteria will result in health problems.

Another more minor problem is that applying gels can be messy business, and doesn't lend itself to use with shoes or clothing.

Traditional deodorants

Deodorant sticks, roll-ons, and sprays weren't the answer either.  Some of them contain aluminum, aluminum salts, or alum, ingredients that have been linked with Alzheimer's disease.  Most of them are too awkward or messy to apply to clothing or to the inside of shoes and boots.  And almost all of them have too much perfume, creating a fragrance buildup that can eventually become as bad as the original odors they were meant to mask.

For a while I didn't do anything about the whole odor issue because I hadn't come across any products I was willing to use.

Un-Stench

Then one day, years after that trip to Afghanistan, I decided that something must be done because the infamous sandals were still causing problems.  I wanted a product that smelled nice, killed bacteria, could easily be applied to skin, clothes, and shoes, and was made with ingredients I wouldn't mind having in my system.  Having recently concocted the Anti-Bug Brew, I figured it couldn't be that hard.

The alcohol base used in the bug brew provided a good start, being a great antibacterial agent that has been tested and proven for hundreds of years.  Most of the oils we use also kill germs, and have been in use for much longer.  After a bit of research we discovered that ginger has been a traditional solution for body odor in Southeast Asia for quite some time, and arnica extract provides and additional antibacterial boost.

The challenge

So we mixed up a batch using the Woody Delight scents and tried it.  Boots that used to smell after just one day became tame.  So tame, in fact, that we began experimenting to see how long it would take for them to smell again.  Actually, I should probably say that I began experimenting because no one else was strange enough to wear the same pair of socks and boots every day.  After several successful week-long trials, I'm happy to report that neither the boots nor the socks ever smelled.  I would have gone longer than a week, but by that time the socks were just plain dirty and needed to be changed anyway, regardless of whether or not they smelled.

This success led to the Mad Mike's Un-Stench challenge:  one week, no bathing, no changes of clothes, underwear, socks, or shoes.  Anything that worked in this situation had to be powerful, especially since the week involved plenty of time outside as well as some seriously sweaty exercise periods.  Much to my surprise, it worked.   It was a relief, partially because that meant that Un-Stench was a success, and partially because I could shower again.  I must say that like the socks from the previous trials, I still needed a good cleaning even if I didn't smell.

Everyday use

Will you have either the need or the desire to undertake the Un-Stench challenge?   Probably not.  Hopefully not, actually.  Unless your job or your hobbies take you away from bathing facilities for long periods of time, you probably won't have to worry about going a week between washings.

But that doesn't mean that Un-Stench won't be useful.  It's a great all-purpose deodorant that doesn't contain antibacterials like triclosan.  It also doesn't contain aluminum, aluminum salts, or alum, ingredients that have been linked to Alzheimer's disease.  If you already use a deodorant, Mad Mike's Un-Stench might be a nice alternative, especially with our six different scents.

Beyond the standard deodorant uses, there's also the periodic need to deodorize clothes, feet, socks, and shoes.  Some shoes will always smell.  Some aren't born bad, but quickly develop odors when worn with nylons or synthetic socks.  In these cases and others, gels, sticks, roll-ons, and spray deodorants aren't going to do the trick. Fortunately, Un-Stench fits the bill.