How to Remove Deodorant Stains and Buildup

Published August 7, 2020
deodorant stains on t-shirts

For many, deodorant is a necessity. However, when it comes to your laundry, it's one of those things that has you rolling your eyes. Rather than throw that shirt in the trash, learn how to remove deodorant stains using products you already have around your house.

How To Remove Deodorant Stains

Don't let deodorant stains destroy your favorite shirt. Instead of letting it ruin your laundry, reach for:

How To Remove Deodorant Stains From Colored Fabrics

Need a hack for how to remove deodorant stains from your cotton t-shirt or polyester jacket? Look no further than white vinegar. Safe for colored clothing, white vinegar is a great deodorant buildup blaster.

  1. Fill a sink, bucket, or container with about 5-6 cups of water.

  2. Add ½ cup of white vinegar.

  3. Soak the clothing in the mixture for 45-60 minutes.

  4. Brush at the stain gently with an old toothbrush.

  5. Launder as normal.

White spot on the dress armpit

Baking Soda to the Rescue

Not a fan of vinegar? No worries! Reach for the baking soda instead.

  1. Mix equal parts baking soda and water.

  2. Use a toothbrush to spread it on the stain.

  3. Let it dry.

  4. Wash as normal.

How To Remove Deodorant Buildup From Whites

When it comes to yellow pit stains on white clothes, you have options. Check out a few recipes for destroying deodorant stains on your favorite white shirt.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Dawn for Whites

It's time to drown those deodorant stains with this home remedy prizefighter. To use this hack, just follow these steps.

  1. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of Dawn with 7 tablespoons of peroxide.

  2. Use a toothbrush to mix it well.

  3. Get a bit of the mixture on the toothbrush and rub the stain in slow circular motions.

  4. Make sure to get all the deodorant buildup.

  5. After scrubbing, let it sit for an hour.

  6. Throw it in the wash with your whites.

stain on white armpit shirt

Eliminate It With Lemons

Another perfect way to vanquish those unwanted underarm stains on your precious whites is by using lemon water.

  1. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water.

  2. Gently rub the mixture into the deodorant buildup.

  3. Leave your shirt in the sun for about an hour.

  4. Wash as normal.

Close-up cleaning tools on table

Destroying Deodorant Stains From Delicates

Shirts and little black dresses aren't the only things to succumb to deodorant stains; your delicates can, too. From your bras to your silk shirts, deodorant is unbiased. Since you're working with delicate clothing, grab the soda water.

  1. Use a cloth to soak the deodorant stain in soda water.

  2. Let it sit for about an hour.

  3. Launder as normal.

You can also try the baking soda method for your delicates that you can wash at home. However, if the laundry label says dry clean only, then take it to the dry cleaner.

How to Remove Deodorant Stains in a Hurry

If you get deodorant on your clothing as you are rushing out the door, you don't have time to soak it in vinegar or make a baking soda paste. You need it gone, and you need it gone now. For fresh deodorant stains, grab a sock, nylons, or used dryer sheet.

  1. Take the sock, nylons, or used dryer sheet and rub the deodorant.

  2. Wet it slightly if the dry material isn't enough.

  3. Allow the deodorant to flake off and go.

You might also want to keep some deodorant removing sponges on hand.

How to Prevent Deodorant Stains

One great way to deal with deodorant stains is to avoid them altogether. Follow a few simple tips to avoid those dreaded deodorant stains on your clothing.

  • Don't overdo the deodorant. A little can go a long way.

  • Use spray or gel deodorants rather than chalky white sticks.

  • Allow your deodorant to dry completely before throwing on your clothes.

  • Stop sweat, bacteria, and deodorant from mixing by washing sweaty clothes immediately or rinsing them before throwing them in the wash.

Ways to Remove Deodorant Stains

Deodorant stains don't mean the end of your favorite shirt. Rather, you have a lot of options. Now it's time to give them a try.

Trending on LoveToKnow
How to Remove Deodorant Stains and Buildup