Home Cleaning Stain Removal How To Remove Pesky Deodorant Stains From Tops and T-Shirts Those dingy, yellow underarm stains are the pits! Here's how to get rid of them. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 05, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article How to Remove Deodorant Stains from Colored Clothes How to Remove Deodorant Stains and Yellowing from White Clothes How to Remove Deodorant Stains from Black Shirts Quickly How to Prevent Deodorant Stains Close Photo: yokeetod/getty images Project Overview Skill Level: Beginner Nothing ruins the look of clothes much more than deodorant stains under the arms. Unfortunately, the stains are caused by a buildup of deodorant in the fabric and a reaction between antiperspirant ingredients and sweat. Whether it is a stiff, discolored area on colored tops or yellow underarm stains on white clothes, if you catch the problem early enough, you can remove deodorant stains from washable clothes. 10 Ways to Whiten Laundry Without Bleach What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Nylon soft-bristled scrub brush Washing machine Small bowl Rubber gloves Measuring cup and spoons Materials Baking soda Distilled white vinegar Hydrogen peroxide Heavy-duty laundry detergent Instructions How to Remove Deodorant Stains from Colored Clothes The build-up of deodorant and body soil will eventually cause discoloration, stiffness, and trapped odor on the underarms of colored clothes. When you see the stains, rely on distilled white vinegar, a soft-bristled scrub brush (an old toothbrush works great), and a presoak to remove the stains. Use a Vinegar Mixture to Scrub Deodorant Stains Mix two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and two tablespoons of cool water in a small bowl or measuring cup. This will be enough to treat one shirt. Lay the shirt flat and inside out on a towel and dip a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush in the solution. Thoroughly scrub the inside armpits of the shirt. Presoak the Stained Clothes After treating each shirt or top, fill a sink or large plastic tub with cool water and add one cup of distilled white vinegar. Add the stained clothes and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes. Wash the Clothes After soaking, wash the clothes as recommended on the care label using a heavy-duty detergent (like Tide or Persil) that contains enough enzymes to thoroughly break down and remove any remaining deodorant residue. While many pieces of clothing can be worn several times before washing, if you perspire heavily and use lots of waxy deodorants, it is best to wash shirts and tops after each wearing. This prevents the deodorant and body soil residue from becoming too heavily embedded in the fibers. How to Remove Deodorant Stains and Yellowing from White Clothes On white fabrics, the combo of deodorant and body soil will eventually cause underarms to turn yellow or dingy grey. The sooner you catch and treat the problem, the more likely you can reverse the damage. If you see the beginnings of armpit yellowing on laundry day but don't have time to treat the stains, don't put the clothes into the dryer after washing. Line-dry the clothes instead because the heat of the dryer makes these stains more difficult to remove. Mix the Stain Removers To treat one white garment, mix one-fourth cup each of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and cool water in a small bowl. Pretreat and Scrub the Stains Lay the shirt flat and inside out on a white towel (hydrogen peroxide can leave bleach spots on colored towels). Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to apply the mixture to the deodorant stains on the inside of the garment. Scrub the area well and let the solution work for 30 minutes. Wash the Clothes Wash the clothes with heavy-duty laundry detergent in the warmest water setting that is safe for the fabrics. If traces of yellow or grey remain after washing, repeat the steps. How to Remove Deodorant Stains from Black Shirts Quickly If your black or dark tops have deodorant streaks on the outside, use one of these three tips to get rid of the "zebra stripes": Grab a piece of foam rubber from a hanger, and rub the deodorant streaks.Try a used fabric dryer sheet to remove the streaks by rubbing with quick, short strokes.When you don't have anything else on hand, grab the shirt and briskly rub the fabric together against itself to loosen the deodorant residue. Then, brush it away. How to Prevent Deodorant Stains Always allow your deodorant to dry completely before putting on your clothes. A blast of warm air from a hairdryer can speed up the process. Switch to an aluminum-free deodorant. Aluminum is the deodorant ingredient that causes most staining. Avoid applying too much deodorant. If it is not working and you think more is better, try changing brands instead. Switch from a solid white product to a clear gel or aerosol deodorant formula. Wear an undershirt to prevent staining (and sweat rings) on outer clothing. The 10 Best Laundry Stain Removers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed