Scent elimination starts with the body internally.
There are many odors created by the human body that we cant just wash off or spray to eliminate once it reaches the outside of our body. We must attack these from the inside. Odors emanating from our body in the form of breath odors or odors that come through our pores, are a direct result of such things as general health, diet, physical condition, bacteria, etc. There are specific supplements we can take to reduce these odors. For example, vitamins A, C and E, Folic Acid, Selenium, and Chlorophyll are all known to have an effect on reducing halitosis, or bad breath. Additionally, Chlorophyll, Copper, Magnesium, and Zinc all help to reduce general body odor the odors that come through your pores.
If taken on a regular basis, 2 pills per day that contain the proper amount of these vitamins and supplements, you would go a long way toward reducing right from the start many of the odors emitted from our bodies so that we dont have to worry so much about trying to eliminate them later on. In addition, taking internal deodorant pills in the form of Chlorophyll, and perhaps adding a Chlorophyll gum to your regular regimen to counteract the bad breath you build up during the day, will significantly reduce the amount of scent you give off.
Clean your body
The next step to getting really clean and scent-free is taking care of the external portion of your body. That is, make sure to shower with Scent Shield® Liquid Body Soap, and wash hair with Scent Shield®® Shampoo w/Conditioner. Both of these products are unscented and powerful deodorizers. The Body Soap is actually an antibacterial formula, where the active ingredient binds with skin and hair proteins to prevent the growth of bacteria, which we all recognize is the cause of many of the sweat related odors we put off in a given day. If you prefer a bar soap to a liquid soap for bathing or showering, we offer a high quality, glycerin-based antibacterial bar soap that will accomplish the same results. To even better combat these odors, use Scent Shield® Hair & Body Deodorant, a non-greasy, water-based, antibacterial lotion that goes onto the skin and hair very easily, and again prevents bacteria which may act on your perspiration to create odor. Remember when you are drying off after your shower to use a bath towel that has been washed in your unscented laundry detergent, so that you are not adding fragrances to your body when you dry off.
Clean your Clothing and Equipment
Now that you know how to get yourself ready for the hunt, lets turn our attention to our clothing and equipment. Start by washing all your non-carbon hunting clothing in Scent Shield® Clothes Wash. This concentrated, unscented detergent is phosphate-free and contains no UV brighteners. It will clean and deodorize all your undergarments and insulating layers. This liquid formula works much better than powder detergents or plain baking soda in terms of cleaning and rinsing. Air dry everything, and while they are hanging on the line, spray everything down thoroughly with Scent Shield® spray, Carbon Blast, or White lightning. Let them dry and store them in a sealed, scent-free container. Now take your activated carbon ScentBlocker® clothing, and prepare it for the hunt as well. Hand wash these items in ScentBlocker® Carbon Laundry Detergent, made especially for carbon clothing. Use sparingly, and wash and rinse in cold water. Then air dry the garments and again spray down the outside of all these items with one of our scent eliminator sprays such as Carbon blast, White Lightning or Original Scent Shield.
Store your Gear Scent Free
Finally, when everything is dry, regenerate the carbon clothing in your dryer and store all of your hunting clothing in an air-tight, scent-free container. The best item for this job is a ScentBlocker® carbon storage bag, for it will actively adsorb odors off the exterior of the garments that they may have picked up or that you placed there by handling. Remember to wash your hands with our body soap and/or spray them with Scent Shield® to remove unwanted odors before you handle your clothing.
Alternatively, you could use a plastic air-tight container, or a good sealing cooler to store your clothes, provided it has been cleaned prior with our detergent and aired out. We prefer not to use plastic bags for storing our clothing, as most of these tend to have an odor of their own, especially the colored ones. Some are even made with a built-in insect repellent and have a very distinct odor. If you choose to use plastic bags, stick with the clear ones, and make sure theyre heavy duty. And watch for holes! If your dryer is used for regular clothing, especially if static cling type fragranced products are used, purge these odors by running a clean damp towel through it at high heat.
The Boot Conspiracy
Next you must be concerned with your boots. Most writers and many hunters recommend all rubber boots. The problem with rubber boots is that they are a scent factory. Also, they dont breathe and create a lot of sweat and condensation. And when you walk, they tend to act as a puffer and expel all kinds of odor into the air. Preferably you would use a boot that is a bit more breathable, and with special consideration you can keep these as scent-free as possible. Scrub your boots with our laundry detergent, rinse, and let them dry. Spray the insides thoroughly (and your socks) with Scent Shield®, and spray the outsides, especially the soles, with Carbon Blast, White Lightning, or Fall Blend. Keep these boots in a scent-free container until you hunt, then take them out and get dressed outside your vehicle. Dont wear your hunting boots in the house, in the vehicle, to the store or the gas station. They are for hunting only. Reapply spray every time you hunt and you can keep your scent trails to a minimum, so much so that deer will typically cross your trail and neither smell you or be alarmed. For the ultimate scent control for your feet, slip them into a pair of ScentBlocker® Sneaky Feet, where the activated carbon will adsorb any odors coming off your boots while you are on stand.
Go to the Stand Naked (well not completely)
Now you put the entire process to work in the field. Youve taken care of your body, inside and out. Youve got your clothing prepared in advance. Its time to go hunting. After your shower and use of the body deodorant, slip on some sweats or clothing that has also been washed in unscented detergent. Put on some tennis shoes or some slip-on boots, and drive to your hunting area. Get out of the vehicle, upwind of any lingering exhaust, and pull out your clothing. Throw down a clean scrap of carpet or plastic, and change out of what youre wearing and into your hunting clothing. I put on my pre-sprayed socks and underwear, then my first layer is the antibacterial base layer, and then perhaps my outer pants. Often, unless it is very cold, this is all I will wear into my stand. My insulating layers and ScentBlocker® clothing are packed in my backpack so I can get dressed at or near the stand. I go in very light in order to avoid overheating and sweating, thus creating more odor.
As you walk through the woods, try to touch as little vegetation as possible. When you get to the stand, you now put on your Underguard XT, then any insulating layers such as a wool shirt or fleece vest, and then your outer ScentBlocker®, including facemask or headcover and hat. You dont need 2 layers of ScentBlocker® to adsorb the odor you will put off that day, but there is an advantage to having both. The inner layer (Underguard) will adsorb most, if not all, of the odors coming from your body, but the outer layer of ScentBlocker® will catch anything coming from your other layers and from parts not covered by the Underguard (head, etc). This way you dont have to regenerate your outer ScentBlocker® very often, and you wont have to wash your in-between layers as often either. When you are done hunting, repack in your backpack and hike out. Wash your underwear, socks, and base layers just about every trip and you should be in great shape. Store the rest of your clothing in your scent-free container or ScentBlocker® duffle bag, and youre good to go...
