Tips On Removing Deodorant Stains

How To Remove Deodorant Stains

What in the world did the "genteel, civilized" society do before underarm deodorant was invented? I guess there’s a pretty simple answer to that question - maybe there WASN’T a genteel society ’way back then! If there was, they probably could have smelled a whole lot better.

Actually, when we talk about deodorants, most of us tend to think in terms of personal deodorants and antiperspirant’s. There are, however, other types of deodorants besides what you apply under your arms.

Today, we have "designer" deodorants for just about every application you can think of. As a "for instance," you can buy a spray deodorant for your car that is scented with "eau of new car"! Makes the inside of your old beater smell like a brand new car.

There are spray room deodorizers, odor absorbents, "air-wick" varieties that claim to both absorb unwanted odors while exuding its own, more pleasant scent. There are also "heat-released" deodorant units that you plug into electrical outlets and, when the tiny little element heats up, it releases a nice fragrance into the room masking musty or otherwise unpleasant odors.

Unless there’s a thin or thick liquid involved that may spill or leak, the aerosol, odor absorbents or air wick varieties seldom create a stain that needs to be removed. We’ll deal with varieties of room deodorants and sanitizers on another page of cleaning tips from Mrs. Clean. Meanwhile, if you have specific questions, please go to our Cleaning Forum.

What Is The Difference Between Deodorant And Antiperspirant?

Deodorants typically only work on the odor caused by the natural bodily function of perspiring or sweating. They may contain heavy amounts of perfumed scents that are as annoying as the perspiration itself.

Antiperspirants actually block the cells from excreting body fluids or water.

The biggest culprit in antiperspirant deodorants that causes stain is the very ingredient that makes it effective! Aluminum salts (aluminium chloride, aluminium chlorohydrate and/or aluminium-zirconium) are added to deodorants to diminish the production by the cells of perspiration. The salts mix with electrolytes in the sweat creating a gel that plugs up the duct of the cell, temporarily preventing the cell from excreting fluids or sweat.

Normal exercise or an excess of humidity in the air acts as sort of a lubricant and causes the effects of the antiperspirant to "wear off" - hence, you begin to perspire freely again.

Sweat mixed with the ingredients of the deodorant/antiperspirant is soaked up by your clothing and causes the deodorant stains on your shirt, blouse or underarms of your dress.

Removing Deodorant Stain:

When you know what causes the stain, it’s easier to know how to eliminate it..

If you are only concerned with the odor, simply keep your underarms clean by frequent washing followed by a light dusting of baking soda. Baking soda neutralizes natural acids that produce a sour smell.

Another remedy suggested to combat underarm odor is to moisten a cotton pad with an alcohol-based, sugar free mouth wash. That’s a great tip to help prevent underarm odor in an emergency - carry a small bottle in your purse or pocket!

While common perspiration or sweat can leave a yellowish stain on fabrics (especially cotton), the stain is often easily washed away by rinsing with cool or cold water first, then tossing into the washer and running through a cycle recommended by the manufacturer.

Removing Antiperspirant Stain:

There are a number of common household products which are effective in treating and removing underarm stains on your clothing which are caused by antiperspirants. Check to see if you have one or all of these on your pantry shelves:

• Ammonia
• Aspirin
• Baking Soda
• Lemons
• Meat Tenderizer
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Oxi-Clean
• Borax

As with most stains that are water soluble, the first thing to do is to soak the stain with cold water and rub it between your fingers. If you can see that it is coming out, then you may launder it as usual.

Sweat stains that are yellow and have a distinct odor need to be subjected to a little more effort than plain water.

Tips To Remove Antiperspirant Stain:

1. We suggest diluting a half cup of ammonia with 4 cups of water and daubing the solution on the stain repeatedly until it is lightened or removed entirely.
2. Take two aspirins ... crush them and mix with a half cup of hot water. Pour directly on the stain and allow it to sit for a couple of hours.
3. Baking soda ... add enough water to 1/4 cup of baking soda to form a runny paste. Apply directly to the stain and work it in. If the stain is particularly bad and smelly, let the baking soda paste remain on the garment for a couple of hours then brush it off. Baking soda is very good for removing odors!
4. Fresh or concentrated lemon juice ... you may squeeze fresh lemon juice directly on the stain until it is quite wet, then add a spoonful of table salt. Rub between your fingers until the stain lifts. This also helps remove dark underarm stains on t-shirts and undershirts. If it is a bright sunny day, exposing the garment to the sun and allowing it to dry will enhance the stain removing power of the lemon juice.
5. Meat tenderizer ... another one for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Moisten the perspiration stain with warm water then sprinkle liberally with meat tenderizer. Work it is and allow it to sit for several minutes, then launder as usual.
6. Salt ... regular table or pickling salt is a miraculous ingredient in many things, including household cleaners. Use salted water to soak stained garments; mix with white vinegar for a very good stain remover. Use with lemon juice - see #4 tip above.
7. White vinegar ... mix a cup of white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. Dip stained garment in vinegar solution and scrub between your knuckles. If the stain is persistent, you may soak the entire garment in the vinegar solution for a couple of hours before running through a normal wash cycle. Check the fabric label to be sure it does not need to be dry cleaned!
8. Oxi-Clean ... this is a wonderful product for eliminating many clothing stains. Follow manufacturers directions.
9. Borax ... this is an old-time cleaning remedy that is still appropriate today - plus its a whole lot cheaper than some of the costly products on the supermarket shelves. Run warm water through the stain then sprinkle on a generous amount of Borax - don’t go crazy, but use enough so that you can see it like a good shake of salt on the stain. Rub it together with your fingers and then launder as usual.