Deodorant can keep odor at bay, but it can wreak havoc on your clothes, especially on colored and black shirts. Nobody wants to walk around with white splotches in their armpits, so understanding how to remove deodorant stains is important. We have all the details to get deodorant stains out of your black, colored, and white shirts, both by washing and without washing.
How to Remove Deodorant Buildup From Black & Colored Shirts in the Laundry
Colored and black shirts are the most likely to show deodorant stains. And deodorant can build up over time in these fabrics, especially if you don't wash them frequently. Regardless of whether the shirt is black or colored, the same methods work to remove the stains.
You'll Need
- Water
- ½ cup of white vinegar
- Toothbrush
Instructions
- Fill a sink, bucket, or container with about 5-6 cups of water.
- Add the vinegar.
- Soak the clothing in the mixture for 45-60 minutes.
- Brush at the stain gently with an old toothbrush.
- Launder as normal.
How to Remove Deodorant Marks Out of Black and Colored Shirts
Baking soda will also work to remove the deodorant stains before you toss your shirts in the laundry.
You'll Need
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup water
- Toothbrush
Instructions
- Mix equal parts baking soda and water.
- Use a toothbrush to spread it on the stain.
- Let it dry.
- Wash as normal.
How to Remove Deodorant Buildup From White Shirts in the Laundry
Deodorant can build up on white shirts and turn the pits yellow. Fortunately, you have options. Check out a few recipes for destroying deodorant stains on your favorite white shirt.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Dawn
It's time to drown those deodorant stains with this home remedy prizefighter.
You'll Need
- 2-3 tablespoons Dawn dishwashing liquid
- 7 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
- Toothbrush
Instructions
- Mix Dawn with hydrogen peroxide.
- Use a toothbrush to mix it well.
- Get a bit of the mixture on the toothbrush and rub the stain in slow circular motions.
- Make sure to get all the deodorant buildup.
- After scrubbing, let it sit for an hour.
- Throw it in the wash with your whites.
Eliminate Deodorant Stains With Lemons
Another easy way to vanquish those unwanted underarm stains on your precious whites is by using lemon water.
You'll Need
- 2 tablespoons pure lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Mix the lemon juice and water.
- Gently rub the mixture into the deodorant buildup.
- Leave your shirt in the sun for about an hour.
- Wash as normal.
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.
You'll Need
- Cloth
- Soda water
Instructions
- Use a cloth to soak the deodorant stain in soda water.
- Let it sit for about an hour.
- Launder as normal.
Check the laundry label for your delicates. If the laundry label says dry clean only, don't try to do it at home. Take it to the dry cleaner.
How to Remove Deodorant Stains From Black & Colored Clothes Without Washing
Sometimes, washing isn't an option, especially if you get deodorant on your clothes as you rush out the door. Don't worry — we have a hack! For fresh deodorant stains, grab a sock, nylons, or used dryer sheet.
- Take the sock, nylons, or used dryer sheet and rub the deodorant.
- Wet it slightly if the dry material isn't enough.
- Allow the deodorant to flake off.
Deodorant-removing sponges can also get deodorant stains out on the fly.
How to Prevent Deodorant Stains
You know what they say... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And when it comes to deodorant stains messing up your fave shirts, it's definitely true. Here's how to prevent stains in the first place.
- 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.
Say Goodbye to Deodorant Stains
Now you can smell good and have clean-looking pits on your shirts. It's win-win! With our easy hacks to remove deodorant stains from all types of shirts, you'll be good to go.
