How to Remove Stains From Antiperspirant

Properly treat antiperspirant stains to remove them.

Antiperspirant stains occur when aluminum salts mix with perspiration after the chemical stops working. Initially the antiperspirant works well, but then it wears off. When it does, if you perspire, it will likely cause stains on your clothing as it soaks up the sweat in your underarm area. Fortunately, there is more than one remedy you can try to restore your shirt or dress.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• 1/2 cup of ammonia
• 4 cups of water
• Spoon
• Rubber gloves
• 2 sponges
• Lemon
• Knife
• 2 tsp. of table salt
• Warm water
• Meat tenderizer
• Washing machine
• Laundry soap

Instructions

Method 1

1. Measure and pour 4 cups of water into a bowl. Add 1/2 cup of ammonia to the water and stir to mix.

2. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and dip a sponge into the diluted ammonia solution. Squeeze the sponge gently to remove excess liquid.

3. Sponge the ammonia and water onto the stain. Take note as the stain lightens. Dip the sponge back into the solution and squeeze. Apply more ammonia and water to the stain until it is no longer visible.

4. Launder the garment as recommended on the label. Allow to air dry if possible, instead of machine drying, to avoid setting in the stain if it still remains.

Method 2

1. Cut a lemon in half with a knife. Remove as many seeds as you can without squeezing the lemon.

2. Squeeze the juice from one half of the lemon under one arm, and squeeze the juice from the other half under the other arm. Rub 1 tsp. of table salt into each underarm area with your fingers.

3. Place the garment in the sunlight with the underarms exposed to dry and lift the stain before laundering, or allow the lemon juice and salt to remain on the garment for 10 to 15 minutes before laundering.

4. Air dry to prevent setting any remaining stain.

Method 3

1. Dampen a sponge under warm, running water and sponge the underarms of the garment until wet.

2. Sprinkle an even layer of meat tenderizer on the stain under each arm.

3. Allow the meat tenderizer to remain on the stain for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing out the underarms under running water. Launder as recommended on the garment care label. Air dry to prevent setting in the stain.

Tips & Warnings

• A pre-wash spray may remove the stains as well.

• Don't attempt these methods with clothing that has "Dry Clean Only" on its care label. Take it to a reputable dry cleaner for assessment and stain removal.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: Tips on Removing Deodorant Stains