Ever taken off your earrings and noticed a weird smell? You’re not alone. It happens to a lot of people.
That smell usually comes from a mix of natural oils, dead skin, and bacteria that build up around your earrings and piercings. It’s not always a big deal, but it can be pretty gross and you’ll probably want to get rid of it.
In this blog, we’ll talk about why do earrings smell, how to prevent it, and the best ways to keep your earrings and piercings clean.
Why Do Earrings Smell: Causes of Smelly Earrings
Noticing a bad smell from your earrings? Don’t worry, it’s pretty common and happens to a lot of people. Here’s what might be causing it:
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Dead Skin and Oil Buildup
Your skin naturally sheds dead cells, and your body produces oil to keep it moisturized. When you wear earrings, all that can collect around your piercing and on the jewelry. Over time, it creates a funky smell.
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Bacteria Growth
Bacteria love warm, moist places like your pierced ears, especially if you keep earrings in all the time. When bacteria mix with sweat, oil, and dead skin, they can create an unpleasant odor.
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Sweat and Moisture
If you sweat a lot or don’t fully dry your ears after a shower, moisture can get trapped around your earrings. That gives bacteria and fungi the perfect place to grow, which can lead to a bad smell.
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Metal Reactions
Some metals, especially cheaper ones, can react with your skin and sweat, causing irritation and even a bit of an odor. Nickel, copper, and plated metals are more likely to do this, while gold, platinum, and surgical steel are usually safer choices.
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Dirty Piercings
Even if you clean your earrings regularly, your earring piercings need attention too. If you’re not washing around them with mild soap and water, dirt and bacteria can build up, leading to odor and even infection.
Want to keep your earrings smelling fresh? Clean your jewelry and piercings regularly and choose high-quality metals when possible!
How to Prevent Earrings from Smelling
No one wants their earrings to smell bad, but the good news is, it’s easy to prevent. With a little care, you can keep both your earrings and piercings fresh. Here’s what helps:
Clean Your Earrings Regularly
Earrings collect dirt, sweat, and oil, so cleaning them often is key. Try to wash them at least once a week or more if you wear them daily. Warm water and mild soap work great, but if they need a deep clean, soak them in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes. Just make sure to rinse and dry them completely before putting them back in.
Keep Your Piercings Clean
Your piercings need attention too. When you wash your face or shower, take a moment to gently clean around them with mild soap and water. If your skin is sensitive, a saline solution can help without causing irritation. Keeping your ears free from oil and bacteria will help prevent any bad smells.
Wear Good-Quality Metals
Some metals are better than others when it comes to earrings. Gold, platinum, sterling silver, and surgical steel are great options because they don’t trap bacteria as easily. Cheaper metals can break down, react with your skin, and even cause irritation, which can lead to odor. If your earrings are making your piercings smell, it might be time to switch to a better material.
Let Your Ears Breathe
Wearing earrings all the time can trap sweat and bacteria, which isn’t great for keeping things fresh. If you can, take your earrings out for a few hours, especially overnight. This gives your piercings a chance to air out and stay healthy.
Store Earrings the Right Way
Where you keep your earrings makes a difference too. Store them in a clean, dry place like a jewelry box or pouch. Tossing them on bathroom counters or other surfaces can expose them to bacteria, which isn’t something you want near your ears.
A little care goes a long way in keeping your earrings and piercings clean and fresh.
How to Clean Smelly Earrings
If your earrings smell bad, don’t worry. It’s an easy fix! Regular cleaning gets rid of buildup and keeps them fresh. Here are some simple ways to do it.
Soap and Water (Best for Everyday Earrings)
Warm water and mild soap are all you need for a quick clean.
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Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild soap.
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Let your earrings soak for a few minutes.
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Use a soft toothbrush or cloth to scrub away any gunk.
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Rinse well with clean water and dry them completely before wearing.
Rubbing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide (For Strong Odors and Bacteria)
If your earrings have a stubborn smell or bacteria buildup, disinfecting them can help.
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Soak a cotton ball or pad with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
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Wipe down the earrings, focusing on the posts and hooks.
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For a deeper clean, soak them in a small dish of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Rinse with clean water and dry completely.
Baking Soda Paste (A Natural Way to Remove Odor)
Baking soda helps break down buildup and get rid of odors.
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Mix a little baking soda with a few drops of water to make a thick paste.
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Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to apply the paste.
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Gently scrub, paying extra attention to the posts and backs.
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Rinse with warm water and dry completely.
Jewelry Cleaning Solution (For Delicate Earrings)
If your earrings are made of gold, diamonds, or other delicate materials, a jewelry cleaning solution is a good option.
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Follow the instructions on the bottle.
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Usually, you’ll soak the earrings for a few minutes, then rinse and dry them.
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Make sure the solution is safe for your type of earrings.
Cleaning your earrings regularly keeps them fresh and ready to wear!
Skin Reactions or Infections
Smelly earrings aren’t always just from buildup. They could be a sign of an allergic reaction or even an infection. Here’s how to tell the difference and what to do about it.
Allergic Reactions to Metal
If your ears feel itchy, red, or irritated after wearing certain earrings, you might be allergic to the metal. Nickel is a common cause, but other lower-quality metals can also trigger reactions. If this happens often, try switching to hypoallergenic options like:
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Surgical steel
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Platinum
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Titanium
These materials are gentler on the skin and can help prevent irritation and odor.
Signs of an Infection
If your earrings have a strong smell along with pain, swelling, redness, or pus, it could be a mild infection. This can happen when piercings aren’t cleaned regularly or when bacteria get trapped inside.
To help clear up a mild infection:
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Clean your earrings and piercings with saline solution (saltwater) twice a day.
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Avoid touching your earrings with dirty hands.
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Let the piercing breathe and avoid tight earrings that block airflow.
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Switch to hypoallergenic earrings if irritation continues.
If the infection gets worse, especially if you notice persistent swelling, warmth, or spreading redness, it is best to see a doctor.
Keeping your piercings clean and paying attention to how your ears react to different metals can help prevent infections and discomfort. If your earrings still smell even after cleaning, it is worth checking for an allergy or infection.
When to See a Professional
Smelly earrings are usually easy to fix with regular cleaning and proper care. But if the odor won’t go away or comes with other problems, it might be time to get professional help.
When Cleaning Isn’t Enough
If you’ve been cleaning your earrings and piercings regularly but the smell keeps coming back, there could be something else going on. A lingering odor, along with redness, swelling, or discharge, could mean an infection or an allergic reaction.
Who Can Help?
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A Piercer – They can check if your earrings are made from the right material for your skin and suggest hypoallergenic options. If your piercing is still healing, they can also give you aftercare tips.
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A Dermatologist – If you keep dealing with irritation, infections, or an allergic reaction, a dermatologist can help. They might recommend medicated creams or other treatments to get your skin back to normal.
If your earrings still smell no matter what you do, or if you have pain, redness, or swelling that won’t go away, don’t ignore it. Taking care of your piercings is just as important as keeping your earrings clean!
How to Keep Your Earrings from Smelling
If your earrings smell bad, don’t worry. It’s a common problem and easy to fix. The odor usually comes from a mix of sweat, oils, dead skin, and bacteria building up around your piercings. The good news is that a little care goes a long way. Regular cleaning, choosing quality metals, and letting your piercings breathe can help keep things fresh.
Still noticing a smell after cleaning? If your ears feel irritated or show signs of infection, it might be a metal allergy, or you may need to check in with a professional.
With some simple hygiene and attention, you can keep your earrings and piercings clean, comfy, and odor-free!
FAQs
1. Why do my earrings smell bad?
That weird smell comes from a mix of dead skin, natural oils, sweat, and bacteria. If you don’t clean your earrings often, all that buildup can start to stink.
2. How often should I clean my earrings?
If you wear them every day, give them a good cleaning at least once a week. For new piercings, clean them every day until they’re fully healed.
3. Can certain metals make earrings smell worse?
Yes! Cheap metals like nickel and brass can irritate your skin, which leads to more oil and bacteria. Hypoallergenic metals like titanium, surgical steel, gold, and platinum are much better choices.
4. What’s the best way to clean my earrings?
You can use warm soapy water, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. For a deep clean, a baking soda paste or jewelry cleaning solution works great—just make sure it’s safe for your earring material.
5. Should I take my earrings out at night?
If your piercings are healed, taking them out at night can help prevent buildup and give your ears a break. But if your piercings are new, keep them in so they don’t close up.
6. Do smelly earrings mean I have an infection?
Not always, but if you also have redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, it could be a mild infection. Clean the area with a saline solution and keep an eye on it. If it doesn’t get better, see a doctor.
7. How can I store my earrings to prevent odor?
Keep them in a dry, clean place, like a jewelry box or pouch. Moisture can make bacteria grow, which leads to odor.
8. Can I wear earrings while swimming or showering?
It’s best to take them out before swimming or showering. Chlorine, saltwater, and soap can cause buildup and irritation, which can make them smell over time.
9. Why do my ears still smell even after cleaning my earrings?
It might be trapped moisture, an allergic reaction to the metal, or just not cleaning your actual piercings well enough. Try washing your ears daily with mild soap and water.
10. What kind of earrings are best for sensitive skin?
Stick to hypoallergenic metals like titanium, surgical steel, 14k gold, and platinum. They’re less likely to irritate your skin and won’t cause as much buildup that leads to odor.
