We are the types who bathe daily, wash clothes frequently, sheets/towels at least once/week, etc. Caregiver is a mismatch. Seems to bathe infrequently, and seems to wash clothes infrequently, which look fine but smell bad. Not saying caregiver is the issue -- maybe we are. But whatever the reason for the mismatch, it feels unsustainable. Caregiver is otherwise wonderful and kind. Has anyone ever had to address this? How did you resolve it?

OK... this might sound crazy, but one way to white-lie your way to a resolution is to treat it as some kind of allergen rather than a stench. E.g. say "I think there's something at your house that you're bringing her that is causing me and DC to have a kind of allergic reaction. I feel so embarrassed about it, he said that you "smell funny," but I think it's just something that is bothering him, and maybe me too. I don't know if it's cats, plants, or what, but I'm hoping you'll work with me to troubleshoot this. I don't mean to get overly personal, but if it's possible for you to shower and change into clothes that we provide you here, we'd really appreciate that. Would you be willing to do that? I'm happy to get you whatever body-wash you prefer, pay you for that time, whatever we can do to make this work."
And then just see where the conversation goes... is this too crazy? I don't know if I'd have the chutzpah myself!
disgusting.
i'm very smell sensitive, so this would be hard for me. but i'm also a decent person, so i wouldn't want to say anything and make her feel bad. can you just stay in another room while she is babysitting. isn't she there for the kids anyway not you?
Is she from another background from you? As in are you white and she’s not? Bc this is often a cultural difference or even a very American thing—Europeans, Russians, Israelis etc also generally have a more ‘natural‘ approach when it comes to cleanliness. I don’t have a sensitive nose, so this wouldn’t be an issue for me. I liked that you were careful in your post to say it’s not her issue and it may be yours. I’m not sure if you really believe that, but for me a good caregiver is a special thing. I would absolutely not throw that away over a ‘hygiene mismatch‘ as you call it. If this woman is from a different background from you, I’d also urge you to challenge your own expectations and work on acceptance (plus diffusers). YMMV that’s my take I know others might say it’s your home you should be able to have it your way.
Gross. Would be a dealbreaker for me.
Given Covid, you could ask them to change immediately upon coming to your house in a different set of clothes, maybe a uniform? And suggest they leave them on the way out and you can rewash. I am not at all one to ask a caregiver to wear a uniform, but when I interviewed nannies, one of them just came and said she always wears a uniform and changes when she arrives. DD was a newborn them, so that may have to do with it. I know it's more work for you, but it's the only way I see. I can't imagine it will go well any other way.