Deodorant and antiperspirant prevent sweat odor and sweat stains. Unfortunately, the aluminum salts and powders contained in the product often cause white or yellow stains on textiles such as shirts. A conventional wash cycle can make them even worse. We tell you how to remove deodorant stains with a simple pre-treatment. These home remedies are guaranteed to help.

How are deodorant stains formed?

The aluminum salts used in deodorants and antiperspirants constrict sweat pores and reduce sweat discharge. However, these helpful aluminum salts and odor-inhibiting powder are usually responsible for the unsightly stains on your shirts and the like.

Stains from deodorants can show up white or yellow on textiles. If you find white deodorant stains on your clothes, it is related to powder particles. In this case, the odor-inhibiting ingredients are not evenly distributed and then settle on the skin. From there they get onto your clothes as an imprint.

Yellow stains on white tops usually do not appear directly. They appear only after repeated washing. In the washing machine, the deodorant stains are virtually fixed due to a chemical reaction during the wash cycle between alkaline detergent and the aluminum salts. In dark clothes, these yellow stains may appear as discolored spots.

Use these home remedies to remove deodorant stains

Washing alone usually won’t remove stubborn deodorant stains. Pre-treatment of the stains is advisable. However, you do not have to resort to chemical means to remove deodorant stains. In most cases, simple home remedies are enough to remove them and clean the clothes.

  • Gall soap: Moisten the stain with warm water and then put some gall soap on it. Leave the soap on for half an hour. Then wash the garment in the washing machine as usual to remove any residue from the stain.
  • Vinegar essence: Deodorant stains in dark or colorful clothing are best removed with vinegar essence. To do this, mix vinegar essence with water in a 1:4 ratio, then let the garment soak in the mixture overnight. The next morning you can rinse it with clean water and then wash it in the washing machine.