Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Get Rid of Stinky Hair Fast (Hair Hacks That Actually Work)
Let’s be honest — nothing ruins your vibe faster than realizing your hair smells… off. Whether it’s sweat, smoke, restaurant smells, scalp buildup, or that mysterious “day two” scent, stinky hair happens to all of us.
The good news? You don’t have to rewash your hair every single time. These are the fast, actually-effective hair hacks I use to keep my hair smelling fresh — plus the exact products that work.
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Some of the stinky hair fixes I love
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Why Does Hair Start to Smell?
Before we fix it, let’s quickly talk about why it happens.
Hair odor usually comes from:
Sweat and oil buildup on the scalp
Product residue
Not fully drying your hair after washing
Smoke or environmental odors
Bacteria feeding on excess oil
If your scalp isn’t clean, your hair won’t smell clean. Period.
I also know that certain restaurants, like The Melting Pot or Japanese hibachi grills, produce odors from cooking right in front of you, and I can smell it on my hair hours after I’ve been there.
This is the inspiration for this post, honestly. My hair seems to absorb many odors (oh, those camping fires are not my hair’s friend either!), so I put together this list if you have this same issue.
For fab hair, start at the scalp
Fresh Hair Starts at the Scalp
Stinky hair isn’t about masking the smell — it’s about fixing what’s causing it.
Detox weekly.
Balance your scalp.
Use dry shampoo strategically.
Choose hair-safe fragrances.
Avoid alcohol-heavy sprays.
With the right hair routine, your hair can smell fresh all the time — not just on wash day. Here are some ideas I use to make my stinky hair smell soooo much better!
Links below go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Lowe’s, or Temu (code afe55197 gets you 30% off your first order), where we source our products based on discounts, budget and pricing.
🚿 Hack #1: Start with a Scalp Detox (The Real Reset)
If your hair smells even after washing, buildup is likely the culprit.
✨ Use: K18 Detox Shampoo or RevAir and Sproos! Filters
A detox shampoo is essential for breaking down oil, product buildup, and odor-causing residue. K18 Detox Shampoo deeply cleans without stripping your hair, which is key.
Why it works:
It removes the invisible grime that regular shampoo can leave behind — and that buildup is often what traps smell.
💡 I use it once a week for maintenance. I also love their Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask.
Another scalp detox I love that has apple cider vinegar in it (so great for balancing oil on your scalp) is Detox Pre-Wash Rinse by RevAir. Use my code CAROLYNREV for 10% off, or use my direct RevAir link.
I’ve tested their Cleansing Oil Shampoo, Deep Condtioning Treatment and Hydrating Leave-In Conditioning Spray (all made my hair super soft and shiny and hydrated) and their amazing new REVERSE-AIR hair dryer and it’s changed my hair drying game in such a good way!
I swear by the SPROOS! shower filter for a cleaner scalp. Get a SPROOS! (I have the pink shower head and filter) at a 10% discount using my Sproos! discount link or my code CAROLYNB.
Viori makes amazing shampoo bars!
🧼 Hack #2: Switch to a Balanced Shampoo Bar
If your hair gets smelly quickly, your shampoo may be too harsh — causing your scalp to overproduce oil.
✨ Use: Viori Shampoo and Conditioner Bars (My link gets you 10% off or use my code CAROLYNBRADEN on their website)
These bars gently cleanse while keeping your scalp balanced. When your scalp is healthy, it produces less excess oil (aka less odor). I adore their Hidden Waterfall scent as it’s so soft and overall lovely. It’s helped with hair growth, shine and hydration and I’ve used it for almost 2 years now.
My husband’s dry scalp went from 100 to 0 with their tea tree shampoo bar. It lasts forever too! Read my full Viori review here plus learn about more products I love from the brand.
Bonus: They’re compact, eco-friendly, and great for travel or gym bags. They even have mini versions that I travel with.
I stock up on Viori dry shampoo!
💨 Hack #3: Dry Shampoo the Right Way
Dry shampoo is your best friend between washes — but only if used properly.
✨ Use:
Viori Dry Shampoo (I stock up on Vanilla Coconut)
TRESemmé Volume Clean Dry Shampoo (It smells so good!)
Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo (Beach Babe adds texture and smells beachy)
How to use it properly:
1. Spray or sprinkle at the roots or in your hands and rub through your roots (not all over your hair).
2. Let it sit for 30–60 seconds.
3. Massage into the scalp.
4. Brush through.
This absorbs oil where odor lives — at the scalp.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Dry shampoo is not a permanent fix. If your scalp feels coated, it’s time to detox.
I make my DIY sea salt spray all the time
🌊 Hack #4: My DIY Hydrating Sea Salt Spray (Freshen + Texture)
Sometimes hair smells flat because it feels flat. I love refreshing my hair with my own hydrating sea salt spray to revive it without heaviness.
Get my DIY Hydrating Sea Salt Spray recipe here or below via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden.
Shake well and mist lightly on mid-lengths and ends. I use it on my 3rd day hair to freshen my curls or waves, to add some yummy scents (I change the scent I add to my DIY recipe based on the season) and I also use it on my husband’s short hair to add texture.
It gives texture, absorbs light oil, and refreshes the scent of your hair naturally. It also makes my hair like I spent an entire day at the beach…my waves love it!
I love Just Dessert by Brite
🌸 Hack #5: Use a Hair Fragrance (But Choose Wisely)
If you want instant freshness, hair fragrance is a game changer.
✨ Use:
brite hair and body fragrance (I love Just Dessert, it smells like Sol de Janeiro’s 62 fragrance and it contains peptides which can help repair your hair over time)
These are formulated for hair and lighter than traditional perfumes.
⚠️ Important:
Steer clear of heavy alcohol-based body sprays or perfumes directly on your hair. They can be extremely drying and may actually make odor worse over time by damaging the hair cuticle and scalp barrier.
Look for hair-specific mists designed to be gentle and conditioning.
Even men can use my tips!
🏋️♀️ Hack #6: Gym Hair Fix (No Full Wash Needed)
After workouts:
1. Blow-dry your roots on cool immediately after sweating.
2. Apply dry shampoo like Bumble & Bumble Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist (it’s amazing on helping freshen sweaty hair!)
3. Finish with a light hair fragrance mist.
Letting sweat air-dry on your scalp is what causes that sour smell.
🧴 Bonus Hack: Make Sure Hair Is Fully Dry
A damp scalp can develop mildew-like smells (yes, really).
Always:
Fully dry roots after washing
Avoid going to bed with wet hair
Clean your brushes regularly
Odor can transfer from dirty tools back to clean hair.
I use brite to freshen my strands on 2nd and 3rd day hair!
The Fastest Stinky Hair Rescue Routine
If you need a quick fix:
1. Spray dry shampoo at roots.
2. Blow-dry briefly to reactivate.
3. Lightly mist with brite hair and body fragrance or Kitsch Hair Perfume.
4. Add texture with my DIY sea salt spray if needed.
Done in under 5 minutes.
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How I Sproos!-ed Up My Shower for Cleaner Hair and Skin
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.