Why Do I Get Yellow Underarm Stains on My Clothes?

The chemicals in antiperspirants tend to leave yellow underarm stains on clothing.

After wearing a piece of clothing for a period of time, some people may develop yellow underarm stains on the garment. These stains are a result of chemicals used in antiperspirants, as well as excessive bacteria in sweat. These stains are often preventable but if the underarm stains persist, then seeking the advice and service of a dermatologist may help remedy the problem.

Misconceptions

Avoid applying excessive antiperspirant to help prevent underarm stains on your garment.

Many people believe yellow underarm stains are the result of excessive sweating; however, this is not the case. According to chemical engineer Mike Thomas, yellow underarm stains are the result of the chemicals used in antiperspirants. Also, applying thick layers of antiperspirant to the underarm area only tends to get more chemicals on the garment and further aids in garment discoloration. You should concentrate on applying thin layers of antiperspirant over the entire underarm area, as well as letting the area dry before putting on your shirt.

Causes

A solid deodorant is less watery than a roll-on antiperspirant.

Antiperspirants are very acidic. The acids in antiperspirants mix with the chemicals in your body, as well as with the shirt fabric, resulting in discoloration marks around the underarm area of the garment. Gel and roll-on antiperspirants are generally more watery, so the antiperspirant can easily transfer to the garment, which contributes to discoloring the item of clothing. Excessive bacteria in your sweat may also contribute to yellow underarm stains. We all have bacteria in our sweat, but some people may have more bacteria than others.

Prevention

Treating soiled clothing with cold water helps eliminate underarm stains.

Washing the underarms with antibacterial soap may help reduce excessive bacteria while sweating. It is a good idea to wash the underarm area twice a day to help eliminate yellow stains on clothing. If you notice your antiperspirant has already soiled the underarm area of your garment, then you should treat the stained area with cold water before washing. Treating the garment with warm water before washing will only set the stains into the clothing.

Cures

Consulting a dermatologist may provide solutions to prevent persistent stains.

Try switching antiperspirant brands to prevent yellow underarm stains. Some antiperspirant brands are less acidic than other brands. If you are experiencing persistent underarm stains, then seeking the advice of a dermatologist could provide you with some beneficial solutions. In some situations, a dermatologist may prescribe a topical treatment, or a prescription for an antiperspirant to help combat the issues surrounding persistent armpit stains on clothing. It is always advisable to seek advice from a medical professional.

Alternatives

A cotton ball with rubbing alcohol is used as an alternative to antiperspirant.

There are many natural alternatives to commercial antiperspirants. You can use a crystal stone as a substitute for an antiperspirant. After showering, rub the crystal stone on your dry underarms as a way to help combat underarm sweat. Also, putting rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and wiping the underarm area twice a day is another alternative to using an antiperspirant. Rubbing alcohol does not contain chemicals that will mix with the fabric of the garment.

References

• Pit Stains are Stoppable
• How to Prevent Yellow Under-Arm Stains

Resources

• Natural Deodorants: Do They Stop Sweating