Try as we might to avoid getting deodorant on our clothes, mistakes happen every once in a while. And when they do, we're never really sure if we're handling them properly.
Whether you're sick of those telltale white marks on your favorite black dress or you keep finding deodorant stains hiding inside your clothes, it's an inconvenience all the same.
For laundry pros, deodorant marks are all in a day's work, so we reached out to a few to get their top tips for tackling them the way an expert would. Based on their guidance, we also found the products you'll need to put together a handy laundry toolkit at home.
How to remove new deodorant stains
- If you haven’t already pre-treated the item, remove excess deodorant or white residue with a toothbrush or dry cloth, advises Wendy Saladyga, a fabric care expert and manager of technical performance at Henkel for Persil.
Make sure to rub gently. You can also rinse the garment with cold water while you brush it. If you have pre-treated the garment, proceed to the second step. - Wash the garment in the washing machine with your preferred laundry detergent, following the instructions on the product label.
- Air dry.
How to remove stubborn/set-in deodorant stains
- Soak the garment in warm water overnight or for a few hours to break down deodorant residue buildup, per Saladyga.
- Pre-treat the stain. (There are a few expert-recommended ways to do this below.)
- Wash the garment in the washing machine with your preferred laundry detergent, following the instructions on the product label.
- Air dry.
- If the stain remains, repeat the washing process.
Do's and don'ts of removing deodorant stains
When it comes to stains, deodorant marks aren't the toughest beast you'll ever have to tackle. However, they can still be tricky. Here are a couple of do's and don'ts from the pros.
Do understand the stain
"When dealing with deodorant stains, it’s important to understand that these are typically a combination of sweat (which is protein-based) and the aluminum compounds in many antiperspirants that create those notorious yellow stains," Laundry Sauce co-founder Robert Cardifff says.
Do act fast
“As with all stains, acting quickly gives you the best chance of removal. Fresh white deodorant marks are much easier to remove than set-in yellow pit stains,” Cardiff says.
Don’t forget to pre-treat the stain
“The key is to act quickly and treat the area regularly, especially on white or light-colored fabrics. In fact, consistent pre-treatment can help prevent buildup from becoming permanent over time,” Hannah Yokoji, head of marketing at The Laundress, says. Here are two methods for pre-treating deodorant stains:
Using store-bought stain removers:
- Pour a stain remover or a deep-cleaning liquid detergent directly onto the marks.
- Scrub lightly with a brush or toothbrush using circular motions.
- Rub the fabric together, then let it sit for five minutes. For more durable fabrics, pour hot water onto the area then let it sit for 10-30 minutes.
Using a homemade pre-treatment:
- Create a pre-treatment paste using equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (for whites) or white vinegar (for colors).
- Apply it directly to the stain.
- Let it sit for 30 -60 minutes or up to two hours for severe stains.
- Scrub gently with a soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly using cold water.
Frequently asked questions
Every fabric is different, so it helps to arm yourself with some know-how as you tackle deodorant stains on different materials:
- Cotton and denim: Cardiff says these materials can handle “more vigorous treatment,” so you can use standard pre-treatment methods, warmer water and more scrubbing.
- Wool and cashmere: Cardiff recommends using cold water, gentle detergents and avoiding vigorous scrubbing. If the stain is severe, consider professional cleaning.
- Silk and satin: For these delicate materials, opt for cold water and minimal handling, per Cardiff. Yokoji suggests using gentle blotting instead of scrubbing and “minimal product.” Professional cleaning can help with severe stains.
- Polyester and synthetics: Cardiff says these materials tend to hold on to deodorant and sweat stains more and may need extra pre-treatment.
According to Cardiff, there are a few cases where stains may be permanent:
- Severe yellow stains that have been heat-set through multiple dryer cycles
- Very old, untreated stains on delicate fabrics
- Some synthetic fabrics where the aluminum has damaged the fibers
Yes. And, quite frankly, sometimes it’s just easier to let the professionals handle stains.
According to Yokoji, deodorant mixed with body oils and antiperspirant ingredients can cause “discoloration that’s difficult to reverse fully at home.” For this reason, it's recommended to send items that are more structured, made of leather or otherwise not machine-washable straight to the dry cleaner.
Cardiff recommends also sending silk, wool and cashmere items to the dry cleaner if you want to be extra careful.
“There are ways to remove deodorant stains from shirts, but it’s always better to prevent them appearing in the first place,” says Saladyga.
She recommends applying deodorant and waiting until it’s dry before putting your shirt on. She also suggests washing clothes soon after wear to remove deodorant buildup and prevent sweat from mixing with deodorant to create yellow stains.
How we chose
After speaking with three laundry pros, we took their tips for tackling deodorant stains and curated a list of the items they recommend the most. Using their general guidelines, we sought out bestsellers and affordable items you won't feel guilty adding to your laundry toolkit.
Meet the experts
- Robert Cardiff is the co-founder of Laundry Sauce, a premium laundry care brand that makes a range of scented laundry products, including dryer sheets, fabric softener, scent boosters and fabric refresher spray.
- Wendy Saladyga is a fabric care expert and manager of technical performance at Henkel for Persil. At the company, she conducts technical research in the laundry category and tests detergent efficacy against stains on different fabrics and materials.
- Hannah Yokoji is the head of marketing at The Laundress, a fabric care brand that makes detergent, fabric conditioner, fabric sprays, laundry accessories and more.
