How to remove deodorant stains: secrets for removing sweat marks and yellow stains from armpits, white or colored fabrics

Your armpits will be clean!
Antiperspirant deodorant is a product that almost everyone has today. It helps not only to get rid of the unpleasant odor of sweating, but also to reduce its “turnover”. However, most deodorants have one significant drawback - they leave dirt on clothes. Even after wearing a clean item once.

In this article we will tell you how to remove deodorant stains from different types of clothes, from different types of fabrics, as well as how to effectively prevent their appearance.

Why does deodorant leave white streaks?

The active ingredients in antiperspirant deodorants (aluminum or zirconium salts) harden upon contact with sweat and form these white deposits.

It's easier to prevent stains: You can minimize their appearance simply by using deodorant correctly. Always apply the cosmetic to perfectly clean and dry skin (one layer is more than enough).

Let your skin dry thoroughly before getting dressed (if you're in a hurry, blot your armpits with a paper towel to absorb excess).

It is important to choose an antiperspirant that leaves no residue. Or use a natural one, for example, baking soda and eucalyptus essential oil.

Preventing stains

In commercials you can often hear that deodorant does not leave marks on clothes. In most cases this is true.

We recommend: How to remove chewing gum from clothes without leaving stains?

“Invisible” deodorants work if you follow the rules for their use. To prevent them from leaving traces, you need to:

• Apply antiperspirant to clean, dry armpits. It is best to use it after a shower, 15–20 minutes later, when the body is completely dry and cool. When applied to wet or dirty skin, the deodorant cannot be absorbed properly, imprints on the fabric and generally does not work effectively.
• Put on clothes no earlier than after 5 minutes. Antiperspirant needs some time to dry: aerosol - 5 minutes, gels and sticks - 10 minutes.
• Spray the spray from a distance of 20 cm. If you hold the bottle too close, the concentration of active substances will be exceeded and they will not be able to absorb into the skin.
• Follow the dosage. Antiperspirants are applied in a thin layer no more than 1-2 times a day. If applied too frequently and generously, the deodorant accumulates under the arms and remains on clothing.

General rules for preventing the appearance of sweat marks and deodorant under the arms:

• Wash clothes as they become dirty. The longer you wear it, the stronger the stains become. Also, you should not leave things in the dirty laundry basket for a long time - for a maximum of 1-2 days.
• Do not iron something that has already been worn. The heat seals any dirt. Even if the T-shirt looks clean, there are still particles of skin and secretions from the sebaceous glands on it.
• Give preference to natural, breathable fabrics. Cotton, silk, and linen allow air to pass through best and allow sweat to evaporate effectively.
• Avoid tight clothing. If the item, and in particular the sleeves, fit tightly to the body, air circulation is disrupted. The body begins to sweat more. In addition, tight clothing rubs the skin, absorbing all the secretions and applied hygiene products.

Give preference to quality deodorants. They are more expensive, but are spent more economically. Plus, with them you don’t have to spend money on products to remove stains on your armpits.

"Rexona" for white and yellow spots

Rexona is considered one of the high-quality deodorants. The brand appeared in Russia in 1996 and has since occupied a leading position. Thanks to innovative technologies, Rexona antiperspirants effectively protect clothes from white and yellow stains. The manufacturer himself recommends using:

• deodorant “Invisible on black and white” for complaints of white marks on clothes;
• deodorant “Maximum protection” for yellow marks from sweat.

"Rexona" is one of the few antiperspirants that effectively combats increased sweating and leaves no residue.

Armpits are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. They contain a large number of sweat glands, and are also always warm, dark and damp. Antiperspirant deodorant regulates sweat production, but still does not stop sweating completely. Therefore, you need to wash clothes adjacent to your armpits regularly, just like washing your body. Then it will be minimally contaminated, and there will be no need to use special products to remove white and yellow marks.

Cleaning hacks

You can use a life hack. All you need is nylon, and who doesn't have a pair of old nylon tights at home? It is necessary to rub the whitish areas with tights as if it were a sponge: gently clean the stains until they completely disappear.

The "nylon" tip only applies to white clothes with fresh stains. Will not work on dark or colored clothing with old stains.

Fresh contaminants

Have you noticed deodorant stains on your clothes? Wash them as soon as possible! The longer you store it, the more deodorant residue will be absorbed.

The easiest way is to use liquid laundry soap specifically designed for removing stains. Before use, read the instructions on the product packaging.

Pay attention to the clothing label. Some materials require a different type of washing.

Remember: cotton, lycra and silk fabrics are more susceptible to alkali.

1. Apply clothing soap directly to the stain.
2. Leave the clothes to soak in the soap and water for 10-20 minutes.
3. Wash items in the washing machine as usual.

If the stain persists, you will need to dissolve the remaining deodorant using a stain remover or a more aggressive home remedy.

Useful tips when using products

When using the effective means described above, there are several nuances that will make the method even more effective. These techniques include the following:

1. Initially, the fabric is cleaned with a brush, especially carefully walking along the edges of the stain. After applying the substance, there will be no boundaries of a “clean” spot compared to the area of ​​the entire thing. This often happens on white things, when the product whitens the stain, but the thing itself remains a little grayish. Using a brush will retouch the edges, making the transition softer. It is also advisable to moisten the area around the stain with plain warm water.
2. Before using a substance on your item, you need to conduct a “test drive” on any fabric with a similar texture, determine the effect, and then use it without fear of consequences.
3. The stains are erased from their borders to the center; if you do the opposite, the stain will be smeared from the center - the largest accumulation of deodorant secretions - to the borders.
4. When removing, it is necessary to pay special attention to the borders of the stain, since when it re-forms, the stain will begin to “grow” from the borders and become much larger.
5. Stains must be removed immediately after they are noticed. The sooner we get involved in the fight for clean clothes, the greater the likelihood of getting rid of the stain right away, without having to deal with the manifestations of old age and callousness.

Stains on dark fabrics

The combination of baking soda and vinegar is ideal for removing deodorant stains from a dark T-shirt. In addition, baking soda has the advantage of eliminating sweat odors.

• Sprinkle baking soda onto the deodorant stain and rub it with your fingers.
• Add some vinegar. The chemical reaction will cause bubbles to form.
• Let the mixture sit for a while, then scrub the stain with a toothbrush in a circular motion.
• Repeat the procedure several times until the dirt disappears.

Stains on white clothes

To remove deodorant stains from white clothes, you can use the method already described (with baking soda and vinegar essence). Two aspirin tablets dissolved in water will also help: apply the paste with a toothbrush. Leave it on for at least an hour to wash off all the dirt.

There are special cleaning products available to remove deodorant stains. But not everyone is effective. Most likely, the fact is that the remnants of the deodorant are too “ingrained”. Therefore, it is necessary to mix the ingredients using the above methods. Then treat the items with stain remover. And wash it in the washing machine.

Professional products

Important! Before using any of the proposed products, you must study the instructions for use.

Amway. The company produces various stain removers. Its range even includes Amway Pre Wash - a spray specifically for removing traces of deodorant. It should be sprayed onto the item and washed.

• Dr Beckmann . This company also has a spray designed to remove antiperspirant stains. It is suitable for any fabric. It should be applied for an hour, and then simply rinse the product.
• Frau Schmid t. This company has a universal liquid stain remover soap. It is based on soap root. Therefore, the product is safe for children's clothing.
• Vanish . There are dry and liquid options for removing stains. You should wear protective gloves when working.

Old deodorant stains

When an already dry deodorant stain is exposed to more sweat, yellow discoloration usually appears. Moreover, the fabric becomes rough.

To remove hardened deodorant from a shirt, it is recommended to use oxygenated water (or hydrogen peroxide):

1. Lightly dampen deodorant stains with oxygenated water, then apply some liquid detergent and baking soda.
2. Apply the paste to dirty areas with a toothbrush.
3. Let the treatment last anywhere from an hour for colored or patterned clothing to overnight for light or white ones.
4. Wash everything on a normal wash cycle.

Fighting stains

Each stain has its own effective method of elimination. Plus universal tips that will help remove any contamination from deodorant.

White spots

Why does deodorant stain clothes? It usually contains talc, which absorbs secretions, and aluminum salts - this component blocks the work of the sweat gland. They are the ones who stain our clothes if we rush to put them on before the product has completely dried. Read on to learn how to remove white stains from deodorant.

The problem is familiar to many

Fresh contamination

If you have time to immediately remove the stain, then take any powder, soap, liquid detergent or shampoo (for delicate fabrics) and apply specifically to the armpit area.

Then leave the product to soak for several hours, then wash it.

Old pollution

Here are popular fabric-safe and effective ways to deal with old stains. How to remove white stains from deodorant, read the table.

Dishwashing liquid will be effective

Advice! Vodka can be replaced with denatured medical alcohol diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio.

How to remove deodorant marks: use vodka

Yellow spots

The nature of yellow spots is somewhat different: this is the result of a chemical reaction between sweat and deodorant components. Usually this stain indicates complex contamination that has become deeply embedded in the fibers of the fabric. However, improvised means that are found in every home will help to remove it. The table will tell you how to remove stains from sweat and deodorant.

Lemon is also effective

You can also try aspirin

Advice! Be sure to rinse the item thoroughly after using peroxide! If it remains on the fabric without being washed off, the fibers of the latter will turn yellow over time.

Video on how to remove yellow stains from deodorant

Now let's move on to general recommendations.

Handy methods

With these home methods and natural products, you can remove not only dried out antiperspirant, but also yellow sweat marks. These techniques neutralize odors caused by bacteria and disinfect clothing.

They are effective, environmentally friendly and easily accessible (these are products that every housewife already has at home).

Salt and white vinegar

A mixture of salt and white vinegar is ideal for removing old stains. It penetrates the fibers, dissolves deodorant residues, leaving the fabric clean and odorless.

The mixture is easy to prepare:

1. Place ¾ cup coarse salt in a bowl, mix with 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup hot water.
2. Add ½ tablespoon of liquid laundry soap to the mixture.
3. Dip your clothes into the mixture and leave for 3-4 hours.
4. Rinse and wash everything as usual.

Why do stains appear in the armpits and can they be washed off?

The human body is capable of producing 1 liter of sweat per day. More than 3 million glands are involved in the process of thermoregulation. There are two types:

1. Eccrine. They are located over the entire surface of the body and actively participate in the process of thermoregulation. The sweat produced consists mainly of water.
2. Apocrine. They do not participate in the process of thermoregulation, but react to stress. They are also located in the armpits. Unlike eccrine glands, apocrine glands secrete fat and salts that appear as a result of cell destruction. This sweat has a very specific smell, and the color is especially noticeable on light-colored clothing. It takes on a yellow tint either on its own or when mixed with deodorant.

Why is it so difficult to remove sweat and deodorant stains? Bacteria begin to interact with the components of the antiperspirant and multiply, resulting in the formation of a mixture that firmly settles in the tissue structure.

The situation is aggravated by washing with the use of phosphate-based powders, and 98% of the total assortment on the market today. Such detergents contribute to the formation of silicone deposits on the fibers. Therefore, simple washing does not allow us to remove yellow stains from the armpits. For best results, use stain removers with active oxygen.

Aspirin

Aspirin is an excellent remedy not only for headaches, but also for removing yellow marks under your hands. It works thanks to the acidic compounds it contains.

How to get rid of stains using aspirin:

1. Grind 2-3 aspirin tablets in a mortar until you get a powder.
2. Place aspirin in a bowl and add ¼ cup hot water.
3. Apply the solution with an old toothbrush and let it sit for an hour.
4. Rinse with cold water and machine wash.

How to avoid problems at the initial stage

In general, deodorant tends to form stains on clothes only if it is used incorrectly and applied to the body.

There are several important rules that can be used to avoid classic problems when using antiperspirants:

• deodorant covers dry and perfectly clean skin, on which there is no sweat or oily secretions;
• There is no need to immediately put on clothes after applying deodorant. A dry pencil should dry within 4-5 minutes, and a liquid aerosol for 1-1.5 minutes. This will prevent you from getting stains due to the deodorant smearing on your clothes;
• liquid aerosol cannot be applied close to the skin; the recommended distance is 15-25 centimeters.

How to deal with wax stains on clothes: rules for removing greasy paraffin stains

The elementary and simple rules and remedies that are described in the article will perfectly help you cope with stains of any complexity from the use of deodorant. These products will help you smell good and keep your things clean.

Lemon

Lemon is an excellent ally at home in the fight against various types of dirt. As with aspirin, the key ingredient is acid. It not only removes dirt, but also restores the white color of the fibers.

The procedure is simple:

1. Dissolve ¼ cup lemon juice in 2 cups hot water.
2. Place the dirty blouse into the solution.
3. Wait about 2 hours.
4. Machine wash.

Baking soda

Baking soda has countless uses when it comes to cleaning your home and revitalizing your clothes. It should always be on hand, as it is ideal for cleaning the washing machine, doing laundry, or simply removing stains.

It also neutralizes the unpleasant odors that accompany stains.

Using baking soda to remove deodorant stains is also easy:

1. Mix ¼ cup baking soda with water to make a paste.
2. Apply the paste and leave for an hour.
3. Rub the mixture in with an old toothbrush and rinse.

Hydrogen peroxide

The liquid is ideal for white fabrics, but it is not advisable to use it on colored clothes, as they may fade. How to remove deodorant stains with oxygenated water?

Very simple:

1. Add ¼ cup oxygenated and 2 cups plain water to a bowl.
2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Apply the solution and leave for 40 minutes.
4. Wash it all off with plenty of neutral soap and water.

Deodorant and sweat stains can be stubborn, but the practical methods above will help get rid of them. If you combine several methods, there will be no trace of white spots left.

Industrial stain removers

Today it is not difficult to purchase a high-quality stain remover. They are presented in a wide variety on supermarket shelves. The products differ in their composition, cost, purpose and effectiveness. They are also available in different consistencies.

"Antipyatin"

According to user reviews, it successfully copes with all types of contaminants. The product should be applied to a damp product and left to act for the required amount of time. Then the item is washed in the usual way.

Udalix ultra

Sold in spray form. The product is sprayed onto the stain according to the instructions and left to act for 10-25 minutes. Then the product should be rinsed and the procedure repeated if necessary.

Stain remover

Vanish OXI Action

One of the most popular stain removers on the household chemicals market. Available in powder and liquid form. It is applied to the stain and added to the soaking water. The method of use depends on the area and persistence of the stains.

"Just a minute"

Available in liquid (gel) form. Apply directly to the stain.

Astonish OXY Plus

Add to soaking water in dosage according to the instructions on the package.
Suitable for white and colored laundry and various types of fabrics. Are you using citric acid?

Oh yes! No

Ecover

The product is available in an easy-to-use form and is highly effective. But it should not be used on delicate things.

Frau Shmitd

Suitable for any type of fabric, including delicate ones. Soap root is used as the main active ingredient.

Faberlic Edelstar

A stain remover pencil from a well-known chain company is convenient because you can always have it on hand. The product fits in any purse and does not take up much space. They rub the stain with it, after moistening it with water, and leave it for 15-20 minutes.

Antipespirant

Sarma Active

Effective stain remover. Categorically not suitable for delicate fabrics. It works by coming into contact with water at a temperature not lower than 30 degrees.

Amway Pre Wash

The company produces many household chemicals. They have proven themselves positively among consumers. This stain remover comes in spray form. It is used according to the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging.

Do you turn off the water tap after washing?

Oh yes! No.

Photo instructions on how to remove deodorant stains