Preventing Underarm Stains

Underarm stains can be both embarrassing and they can ruin your clothes. This is a guide about preventing underarm stains.

Solutions: Preventing Underarm Stains

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Use Baby Powder to Stop Stains

When ironing a white shirt, sprinkle baby powder under the arms before ironing. This will keep sweat from seeping through the shirt, and avoid stains.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

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Questions

Here are questions related to Preventing Underarm Stains.

Underarm Stains on T-shirts

What can I use to get rid of yellow underarm stains on white t-shirts?

By Gene from Pittsburgh, PA

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Most Recent Answer

By Lamico01/07/2011

You can soak them in hot water with a good amount of Cascade added to the water. You could also use hairspray. The alcohol in the hairspray will break down the protiens. I used to use it on my white blouses years ago.

Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Do antiperspirants cause yellow stains on underarms of mens white shirts? if so, what is the best kind of deodorant to use?

Marilyn from Mobile, AL

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Most Recent Answer

By LindaLee03/06/2011

I was reading all of the posts about deodorant and realized how lucky I am. I live in Mexico now and for many, many years have been buying a natural rock at the hardware store that is used to help clean swimming pools here. Potassium alum or sulfate of aluminum and potassium, it's a crystal. It's very inexpensive, it never stains my clothing. It's good for two to three days (no bath) and best of all, it works!! I just rub the crystal in the drops of water in the sink and rub on my armpit. (I keep it in a glass basket so it dries well.) It's never failed me. If you can find it, it's great.

Preventing Underarm Stains on White Shirts

I am looking to prevent underarm stains on all my new white shirts. I've seen a bunch of posts for getting them out. Does anyone know how to prevent them? Thanks a million.

By Seeme

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Most Recent Answer

By suz12305/01/2012

Tectron spray for clothing (under arm area).
It's a water repellent for synthetic and natural fibers.

Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

My husband wears white cotton shirts to work everyday. Lately I have seen dark patches under the arms, even though they are washed regularly. Does anyone have an idea of how to get rid of these patches?

Martha from Maryland

RE: Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

I haven't tried it but I've heard that putting a couple of asprin in the wash whitens it. I've also heard to use shampoo on the stain itself. If all else fails, just use bleach. Hope one helps! (10/17/2006)

By Missy

RE: Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

Try this. Add one cup of powdered Cascade and Clorox II to five gallons of the hottest water you can draw from your tap. Soak items overnight and launder as usual. (10/18/2006)

By mef1957

RE: Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

My hubby had the same problem. He even tried baking soda as a deodorant. It worked, but did not stop the staining. I got him to switch to the mineral crystal (which is a solid crystal that you dampen before applying). Works like a charm as a deodorant and no stains on new shirts. We did have to throw away the stained ones - nothing would clean the stains. Now, no odor, no stains. BTW, one stick lasts at least a year. (10/18/2006)

By Carolyn

Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

Underarm stains on white shirts: I have tried everything I can think of to remove these stains, bleach, baking soda, meat tendrizer, amonina, vinager and more. Any more ideas? I have about 20 shirts and they are in great condition except for the stains.

Thank you,
Seemenow from Oregon

RE: Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

You should try Mrs. Stewart's liquid bluing. It's on the laundry isle and it is just for whiting your white laundry. (11/06/2006)

By Von

RE: Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

I haven't seen any cures for this problem but I changed to a different deordorant and the problem has been less. I also find the older the shirt the more build up and it is time to toss the shirt. (11/07/2006)

By Dean

RE: Underarm Stains on White Cotton Shirts

My oldest son has had those stains on the under arm of his t-shirts for quite a while, I tried various bleaching agents, vinegar and baking soda, they did not help. My younger son has just developed the same problem which he did not have prior to turning 21. I now wonder if it could have anything to do with drinking beer wine, etc. I would appreciate any advice on the subject. (12/01/2006)

By Dorene

Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

I'm looking for a deodorant that is not expensive or homemade that kills odors and leaves less yellowish stains on blouses and shirts.

Thank you,
Lina

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

I am not sure if you can get this product where you live, but here in the UK I have found the ABSOLUTE best deodorant I have ever used is 'VASELINE INTENSIVE CARE Anti-Perspirant Deodorant ROLL ON. I give it 10/10 and it saw me through two years of hot flashes (My underarms were the only place that was dry then!) I recommend this to everybody. I hope you can get it where you are. Best wishes to you. (05/16/2005)

By Monique

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Mitchum, clear gel, anti-perspirant and deodorant works well for me. (05/16/2005)

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

My husband used to get bad deodorant stains on his shirts and undershirts. I asked him to wait 5 minutes to let it dry before putting them on, and no stains.

To remove stains on washable shirts and blouses, soak overnight (or longer) in a solution of 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent and 1 gallon lukewarm water mixed well. Then wash as usual. This gets out most stains. (05/16/2005)

By Jean

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Maybe just changing your brand of deodorant will do it. Not all will stain clothes. (05/16/2005)

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Suave roll-on is what I use and I love it, I've never noticed any staining whatsoever. It's not expensive either. (05/16/2005)

By Ginger

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Crystal Stick Body deoeorant is great. It is 100% Natural Mineral Salts. Hypoallergenic, eliminates odor, last over one year. It is for men and women. Unscented, non-staining and can be used on underarms or feet. It is the only one I use now after trying dozens in the past. Buy it at Rite Aide drug stores or possibly the internet. Check it out. (05/16/2005)

By Grannyz

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

I really like Dove deodorant. It smells great with many different scents. It works great. I've never had any problem with under arm stains. GOD Bless. (05/16/2005)

By Susie

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Trader Joes brand doesn't stain but doesn't work that well. (05/29/2005)

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Arrid Extra Dry antiperspirant Deodorant CREAM. It comes in a short round white jar and it advertises that it will not stain. I tried and it and it decreased the amount of new stains, but didn't eliminate them all together. Other friends swear by it though. Got it at Wegman's. (04/24/2006)

By Jess

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Dermalogica's deodorant does not build up and does not stain. It is not an antiperspirant - but that's a small price to pay compared to ruining clothing with other brands like Mitchum or other antiperspirant formulas. The crystal is good too but eventually was too strong for the skin and caused irritation and a rash after a few months. (06/28/2006)

By SLF

RE: Deodorant That Won't Stain Clothing

Gillete seems to work best for men. (12/25/2006)

By Joe

Guys, shave your armpits!

I've had the same problem happen with many of my tan and brown shirts staining to orange under the arms. I'll certainly be trying the recommendations on this page. One thing I do, as a guy, which helps is to shave my underarm hair. Anti-persperants only work if they have direct contact with the skin. Hair just gets in the way. By doing so, I'm able to apply less than I would otherwise. (04/02/2007)

By Neal

Underarm Stains on T-shirts

How do you remove yellow underarm stains on white tee shirts?

Colleen from Mercerville, NJ

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

I would be hesitant about soaking cotton in bleach overnight. Chemical reactions increase with time, temp, and concentration. The stain might disappear as does the material - I've done it.

On the positive side, the resultant undershirt armpit hole provided more ventilation and hence less sweating. I haven't found a solution but have heard of the asprin trick. (05/08/2007)

By SomeGuyInMichigan

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

After all the reading, there is still no answer as to how you get the brown stains out of the t-shirts (06/07/2007)

By Donna

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

Soak items for 1-2 days with dissolved powdered aspirin. (5 tablets per liter of water). (06/28/2007)

By somegirl

Arg, I hate those!

I get white stains on all my shirts (I only wear black ones) and it looks awful. I have to regularly toss shirts (about 4 a year), and at 100 USD a shirt, that gets quite expensive with time! Would love some feedback on how to avoid this problem.

Cheers (09/06/2007)

By Tiddi

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

What's a mineral crystal. Is it a brand? (03/14/2008)

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

My husband also has stains under the arms of his white cotton t shirts. I've been having good luck using Spray N Wash on the stains every time I wash them. I use it every time I wash them, however. Good Luck! (03/14/2008)

By metroplex

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

I still have not found the answer on how to remove the stain, new or set in. However to prevent the stains on new shirts dry try switching from a deodorant to an anti-perspirant. Deodorants only masks underarm odor, anti-perspirant prevents sweating, thereby preventing those ugly stains. The odor from our arm pits is caused by bacteria so to kill the bacteria, apply white vinegar to your arm pits, let dry then use your anti-perspirant. This solution has helped my son for many years I hope it does the same for you. (03/28/2008)

By kiki@home

RE: Underarm Stains on T-shirts

I have had very good luck with Oxyclean. I soak the shirts in hot water and Oxyclean overnight and then wash in hot water. Check the stain before you put in the dryer, you may have to soak it overnight again to completely remove the stain (06/06/2008)

Underarm Stains on T-shirts

I saw that someone had asked about preventing underarm stains and I just happened to have received Joey Green's Cleaning Magic in the mail.

"To prevent underarm stains on clothes, lather up a bar of Fels-Naptha Soap and rub the lather into underarms of new clothes before laundering them for the first time. Launder with cool water and your regular detergent."

I have no idea if this works.

Source: Joey Green's Cleaning Magic

By ChariseB from Richardson, TX