Deodorant stains are marks that are left behind when deodorant comes in contact with your clothing and, sweat and if not tendered to, will turn to white marks.
Getting deodorant stains out of your clothes isn’t rocket science; it can be done simply by making use of household items.
How do you remove deodorant residue buildup from clothes?
Deodorant residue and stains are usually whitish patches that consist of antiperspirant particles. They contain salts and other ingredients designed to help prevent sweating. When you sweat through these ingredients, they can form solid stains that are often difficult to remove in the wash.
However, these stains are only difficult, not impossible to remove. Before using any stain treatment method, check the care label of your garment. Some fabrics, like silk and wool, may be dry clean only and should not be spot cleaned by these methods. If your clothing is washable, you may want to test your stain removal method on an inconspicuous area first.
Here are ten different ways of getting deodorant stains out of your clothes below:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an all-purpose household ingredient that can be used to remove deodorant stains from clothes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda to get deodorant stains out of clothes.
Step 1: Make a paste with four tablespoons of baking soda and ¼ cup of warm water to make a thick paste.
Step 2: Use a toothbrush to spread the paste onto the stain and leave for about 30 minutes to dry.
Step 3: Wash the clothes with regular laundry detergent either by hand or with a washing machine.
Note: If the deodorant stain has been on the clothes for long, leave the baking soda paste on the fabric for about two hours before washing.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can help get deodorant stains out of your clothes, however, it can’t do the work alone. You may need to add dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide to make it more effective. Here is how to go about it below:
Step 1: Mix about three tablespoons of any dish soap of your choice with six tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to form a solution.
Step 2: Use an old toothbrush to scrub the solution into the stained area and allow it to set into the cloth for about an hour.
Step 3: Wash the clothes with regular laundry detergent either by hand or with a washing machine.
3. White Vinegar
Like baking soda, white vinegar can help to remove tough stains. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use white vinegar to get deodorant stains out of clothes:
Step 1: Make a solution by adding four cups of warm water to one cup of white vinegar in a bowl.
Step 2: Soak the clothes in the vinegar solution and leave for a couple of hours.
Step 3: Wash the clothes, as usual, using a laundry detergent.
4. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is one of the easiest ingredients to get. The acidity in lemon juice makes it an effective stain fighter. Here is how to make use of Lemon juice to take out deodorant stains below:
Step 1: Divide a lemon into two halves and express the juice of one lemon directly onto the stain.
Step 2: Add a teaspoon of salt to the area and use an old toothbrush to scrub until the stain vanishes.
Step 3: Rinse thoroughly with cool water and leave to dry out in the sun.
Note: Exposing your shirt to the sun creates an added bleaching effect.
5. Aspirin
You might hate to take aspirins because of their smell or bitter taste, but they can be quite useful to you when you least expect them. Aspirin is quite effective in handling stains. Here’s a step by step guide on how to use aspirin to get rid of deodorant stains:
Step 1: Crus two pills of aspirin into powdered form and mix with half a cup of hot water.
Step 2: Pour the solution on the stain and use an old toothbrush to scrub it into the stain.
Step 3: Rinse the cloth thoroughly with cool water and leave to dry.
6. Meat Tenderizer
No, you didn’t read wrong. You can use a meat tenderizer to get rid of the deodorant stain on your clothes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a meat tenderizer to get deodorant stains out of clothes:
Step 1: Wet the stain with warm water and sprinkle an unseasoned meat tenderizer on the area.
Step 2: Use your fingers or an old toothbrush to massage the stain into the cloth on your fingers.
Step 3: Wait at least an hour for the solution to set in the fabric, then wash as usual.
Note: Using a regular meat tenderizer will simply add another stain.
7. Ammonia
Ammonia is a harsh chemical but it works as a multi-purpose stain-removing agent; it can be used to remove deodorant stains from shirts. Here’s how to use it below:
Step 1: Dilute 50% strength of ammonia with warm water in a well-ventilated area.
Step 2: Use a sponge to add the mixture to the stain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the cloth thoroughly with cool water before washing with laundry detergent.
8. Deo-Go
Deo-Go is a cleaning agent that was specifically designed to remove deodorant stains and it is pretty easy to use. Here is a guide below:
Step 1: Turn the shirt inside out and spray Deo-Go directly onto the stains.
Step 2: Make sure both sides of the fabric are wet then scrub stains with a short bristle brush.
Step 3: Allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes, then wash as usual.
9. Stain Remover stick
A stain remover stick can treat any stain, especially deodorant on clothes. This is how it is used below:
Step 1: Wet the stained area with water and then apply the stain remover stick to the stains from the inside of the shirt.
Step 2: Use an old toothbrush to scrub the stain and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Wash separately with laundry detergent.
10. Bleach
Bleach is perfect for deodorant stain removal. However, it is recommended to be used only on white clothes because of its whitening ability. Here is how to use bleach to get rid of the stain below:
Step 1: Make a solution by adding four cups of warm water to one cup of bleach in a bowl.
Step 2: Soak the clothes in the bleach solution and leave for a couple of hours.
Step 3: Wash the clothes, as usual, using a laundry detergent.
How to get deodorant stains out fast without Washing
It is especially easier to tackle the deodorant stains as soon as they appear — every minute counts.
Here are a few tricks that can be used on the go for you to easily get deodorant stains out of your clothes almost immediately they appear.
1. Use dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are perfect for handling stains, especially when you don’t want to wash the clothes. Applying it to the deodorant stain can brush off traces of the stain.
To use dryer sheets, make short but firm strokes on the fabric with the sheets but be careful not to be too hard on the fabric to avoid damage.
2. Use baby wipes
Baby wipes can erase fresh deodorant stains quickly but they leave wet marks in the process. To use, rub on the stained area with the baby wipes, then try using a tissue or a dry towel to dry up the wet marks.
3. Use Makeup remover
Makeup remover works like baby wipes; it also leaves wet marks on the clothes after being used. So, you need to dab on the wet marks with a towel.
Note: These methods can get rid of deodorant stains quickly, even on the go. However, be sure to wash your clothes properly after wearing them to remove any deodorant traces that might remain.