Described is a process for reducing a malodour formed as a result of fatty acid derivative degradation and/or organic amine degradation taking place in a fabric care base contained in a fabric article or in a cosmetic or therapeutic base adsorbed on the human epidermis by treating the base-bearing fabric article or base-bearing human epidermis with a synergistic mixture of t-butyl phenolic compounds which may also include at least one malodour-reducing fragrance component compatible with each of the phenolic composition components. Also described are novel compositions useful in carrying out the aforementioned process.