Hi: I am new to this post. I hunt in North Eastern Oregon.
I use both scent loc and descenting soaps, for the simple reason that NOT ALL scent is bacteria mediated. Some of our scents are pheromones. Some are for the purpose of sexual attractents, and some are for territoral purposes. Bacteria can act on the oils of these scents and make them pungent or even foul, but even at a subliminal level, they are detectable to game. Not to mention the odors on our breath of the foods we eat, especially if it contains onions or garlic, since these molecules are expired out through our lungs. Even a mouth wash won't cover something that comes out of our lungs.
Chewing mint leaves, or sipping pine needle tea can help to some extent, but that is just masking. Eating bacon, sausage, and other prepared meats, smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating jerky, venison sausage, cheese, and other strongly scented foods, all affect our odor. We smell like a predator. We also carry the scent of oils and gas and propane from our camps, our Quads, our lanterns, and the lubes on the pulleys of our bows. Game animals LIVE by their noses. It isn't just your funky arm pits, or nasty feet and three days in camp rear end and crotch, or unbrushed, beer soaked, unflosssed teeth.
A real good illlustration of the scent bloom is found on the "Treelounge" web site. Even if you don't use a tree lounge, check out the video of the guy walking or sitting in a low stand, wearing smoke bombs. Boy does that open your eyes.
To restate my basic message, not all odor is bacterial in nature.
Thanks for the opportunity to post.