Removing Deodorant Stains on Clothing

Deodorant Stains on T-shirts

How do I get deodorant and sweat stains out of the armpit of t-shirts?

Stargaze from Buffalo, NY

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RE: Deodorant Build Up on T-Shirts

Wash in hot water with good old vinegar in the rinse. (07/19/2004)

By Linda

Vinegar

Thanks, Linda, I was just going to say the same thing - good old vinegar again, brilliant for removing the deodorant, and not bad as a final rinse in the machine as well - forget the fabric conditioner. (07/19/2004)

By Lizaixi

Water and Vinegar

Soak stained area in a mix of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water for about half an hour, then toss in the wash. Also removes sweat stains. (07/19/2004)

By Alex

Vinegar

Now just let me get my two cents worth in here... VINEGAR! I spray warm vinegar onto the stains, then soak in warm water or throw right into the wash, on warm. (07/19/2004)

By

RE: Deodorant Build Up on T-Shirts

Is the build-up hard, almost like a crust? My Dad used to get that, and my Mom would make a paste of UNSEASONED meat tenderizer and water, rub it in and let it stand overnight, then wash as usual. If you use the seasoned tenderizer it might stain the fabric. It really works! (07/27/2004)

By Becki in Indiana

RE: Deodorant Build Up on T-Shirts

Meat tenderizer? I'll have to give that one a try. I tried the vinegar soak, but no luck - crusty build up still there. Haven't tried vinegar as a machine rinse, however, how much would I put in my standard size washer would be my only question. (11/22/2004)

By Christopher

RE: Deodorant Stains on T-shirts

I would suggest changing deodorant. Find one that does not leave a residue, and may be more effective. Maybe one size larger T-shirt would eliminate too close contact with skin. (02/10/2006)

By WIsgal

Lemon Juice

With regards to removing deodorant stains from white shirts, I have used straight LEMON JUICE on the stain. I apply a generous amount of lemon juice on the stains, then leave the shirt out in the direct hot sun for a few hours. This process almost totally removed the stains. I found I had to repeat the process two or three times though, but noticed a drastic improvement after one application. Try this, it may work for you too. (08/17/2006)

By Sabrina

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Deodorant Stains on T-shirts

My husband's work shirts have a build up of deodorant on the underarm area. How can I get this off? I have washed them in hot water, tried scrubbing those areas by hand, tried stain remover. Nothing seems to work and it just doesn't look very nice. Does anybody have a solution to this problem?

Louise from Port Charlotte, FL

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Request: Deodorant Stains on T-shirts

RE: Deodorant Stains on T-shirts

Try simply washing longer! My husband recently got new t-shirts and after only a few wears, the yellow armpit stains began to return! My Wash Cycle spans from 14 (long wash) to 6 (short wash). I usually choose 10. However, last time I chose 14 using hot water and the t-shirts came out spotless. I was amazed. I guess the trick is to get them out asap before it's too late. (11/14/2006)

By Wanda

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Deodorant Stains on Undershirts

My husband wears Right Guard Extreme Sport Gel deodorant. No matter how much or how little he uses, it makes the under arms of his undershirts stiff and hard. After about 6 weeks or so, the shirts will even gets holes in them. I have tried spraying them with stain remover, soaking them in bleach, nothing works. Any suggestions?

Jennifer from St. Peters MO

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RE: Right Guard Deodorant Build Up on Undershirts

Have you tried spraying them with straight ammonia or vinegar? (01/04/2006)

By homeschoolin_mum

RE: Right Guard Deodorant Build Up on Undershirts

I am sure there is something out there that will get it out, but if it won't come out of his clothes and is so harsh that it eats holes in them, do you really think it's a good idea to keep using it? If so, I'd try ammonia or vinegar with hot water. (01/04/2006)

By Barbie

RE: Right Guard Deodorant Build Up on Undershirts

Try making a paste of Borax and water and work it into the stain. Let it sit for 1/2 hour or so then proceed to wash as usual. Afterward, always wash undershirts, t-shirts, etc. wrong side out and if you notice the problem starting up, pre-treat with a good laundry pre-treat product, rubbing in thoroughly. It's not just the brand of deodorant, but a chemical reaction that is causing it. I've learned this from treating this problem in my husbands shirts for years. Good luck. (01/04/2006)

By SalTCBug

RE: Right Guard Deodorant Build Up on Undershirts

I think you use ammonia for deodorant stains on clothing. Good luck. (01/05/2006)

By Carol

RE: Right Guard Deodorant Build Up on Undershirts

Believe it or not, this works. Buy a container of meat tenderizer (on the spice aisle of the grocery store), shake some into a small dish, and add water a few drops at a time to make a thick paste. Spread this paste liberally on the stiff areas and work it in well with an old toothbrush. Let it set for several hours (overnight is good), then rinse it out with HOT water. Most or all of the stiffness should be gone, wash as usual. I have used this tip many times and it has always worked! (01/06/2006)

By Becki in Indiana

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Deodorant Stains On Clothing

Deodorant Stains on Black Fabric: How can I remove underarm deodorant stains from black fabrics without fading or shrinking? The shirts in question are cotton (although there is one that is more of a poly/spandex) and have been washed several times with residue still remaining.

Jeannette from Rexburg, ID

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RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

Talk about deodorant stains! I had the weirdest thing happen after I got my new GE front load washer. I was washing a load of colored clothes and I had used my usual Tide he, which is recommended for that washer and a brand of fabric softener I had used before, but it was a new scent. When I took the clothes out of the dryer, my husband's colored T-shirts were all wrinkled under the arms and the wrinkles were stiff like plastic. It hadn't happened until I used that new scent of fabric softener. I've washed and washed and it will not come out. It's still stiff and wrinkled. I'm supposing it was a reaction between his deodorant and the fabric softener. (03/20/2007)

By auntieM39

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

I had a problem with a deodorant stain on my favorite black t-shirt. It was thin and could be seen on the outside of the shirt. I had great success with Oxy clean. I rubbed it into the shirt and then threw it in the washer and it came out! (07/16/2007)

By Jake

RE: Deodorant Stains On Spandex

My daughter nearly freaked out. She ran through a dress rehearsal and her deodorant left large orange stains on her green spandex dance outfit. It was very traumatic. After several tries we discovered that ammonia dripped onto a paper towel would remove the stains. We also washed the garment in warm Woolite under the delicate cycle afterward. The disaster was averted...whew. These things always happen when my wife is out of town on vacation. (09/06/2007)

By Dance Daddy

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

Thank you everyone for your advice! Keep it coming! (09/07/2007)

By Costumemiss

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

I used to get those yellow stains in the armpits of my white shirts. Then my husband told me to quit using deodorant and just use anti-perspirant (I use his old spice sport stuff). It stopped the issue and I think that it works just as good, and I'm not stinky :-) (09/28/2007)

By Becky

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

I would always get this thick crusty yellowish residue on my p.e. shirts back in high school. Even after I washed it, it still smelt like sweat and deodorant. I put about 2 tablespoons of laundry soap in a small tub of warm water in the sink. Then I went to work. Just keep scrubbing and rinsing. Keep smelling it while you're at it. After about 15 minutes of scrubbing, I put it in the washer, and it was like a brand new shirt. (01/15/2008)

By Clara

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

AMMONIA - someone mentioned it in one of the earlier posts. Ammonia is the best way to get deodorant stains. (03/12/2008)

By junebug

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

I tried mixing vinegar, lemon juice and meat tenderizer all together, and applied to the armpit area. To my surprise after leaving it overnight, it created a big hole at the area. There goes my favorite shirt! (05/11/2008)

By akim

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

I had no success with lemon juice, but I tried the meat tenderizer paste. It didn't work just leaving it on there overnight. What I eventually figured out works great: Wet the armpit of the shirt, add the meat tenderizer mixture. Let it set for a few hours (2-4 works) and then scrape at it with a metal spoon against a hard surface. Once it starts to come up, add a very small amount of liquid detergent and scrape again. Be careful not to scrape too hard or you'll damage the shirt... only a little pressure should be needed. Wash as you normally would. (06/11/2008)

By Halz

Yucky Yellow Stains on White/Light Clothing from Deodorant/A

How many great white tops are ruined from underarm yellowing? Isn't it just gross? I wonder if it is just my body chemistry or the deodorant/anti-perspirant I'm using that creates these unsightly stains. Here's something that worked, and I didn't believe it would, as I have tried (and gave up on) stain sticks, soap scrubbing, etc. for these stains.

My mother has an allergy to scented products, so she switched to using baking soda for deodorant (wet a few fingers and touch them to the baking powder, then spread it over underarm area - it's non-toxic, clean feeling and surprisingly effective!). She said after using it a while, she noticed the yellowish armpit stains in her clothing were disappearing. Could it be so easy? So I smeared some soda right from the box on those little spots on a favorite white cotton peasant blouse (wet the stained area first) and left it sitting for a couple of days. Then I threw the blouse in the front loader washing machine with the rest of the light wash I had, and couldn't believe when the blouse came out clean with no underarm staining. Now it's not perfectly white-white, but it's pretty darn close.

I don't know how it would work on colors or synthetics (poly, poly-blends, etc.) - haven't tried it, so test first. By the way, for stains on clothing in general, I use Spray 'n Wash Stain Stick (bright green and red packaging) and it works 99% of the time. Treat stains ASAP, and wash in cold water. Spread the word.

(07/08/2008)

By Valerie

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

I have used a product called "De-Solv-It" that worked fairly well. It didn't get rid of the stains, but it did well for drastically reducing the stiffness. I sprayed it on, left it for an hour, scrubbed it with a clean bath brush, then sent it through the wash. But beware, De-solv-it is an orange based solvent, and it will leave a light orange color on whites. (07/26/2008)

By Gerald

RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

On whites, I soaked the stain in vinegar and then sprinkled on some baking soda and rubbed it in really well. Then I let it sit for about an hour and washed as usual, the stains were pretty much gone. I just don't know what to do with the darks because I think what I did on the whites might remove the color. If I test it I will let you know. (10/04/2008)

By hyperskygirl

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Deodorant Stains On Clothing

How could I remove hard stains on armpits of white t-shirts caused by deodorant? The fabric actually turns hard.

Diane from Merrillville, Indiana

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RE: Deodorant Stains On Clothing

My late husband had the same problem. I never did get the hard crusty part out, but I started pouring ammonia on the underarms of the shirts before I put them in the washer and that helped by not getting stains to start with. (11/14/2008)

By Reniesue

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Deodorant Stains On Clothing

How do you get hardened deodorant stains from underarms off of t-shirts?

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Deodorant Stains On Clothing

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Deodorant Stains On Clothing

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