How to Remove Deodorant Stains

Deodorant might keep you smelling fresh and clean, but it also can stain your clothing. Sometimes a deodorant stain can be as simple as white powder residue, while other times the deodorant can begin to change the color of your clothing's fabric. Either way, there are ways to treat deodorant stains. These methods are relatively simple and inexpensive. As always, the quicker you can treat a stain, the more likely you will be in successfully removing it.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Ammonia
• Vinegar
• Rag
• Laundry detergent
• Pre-wash stain remover
• Washing machine

Instructions

Removing Deodorant Stains

1. Look at the underarm area of your shirt. If the deodorant has begun to change the fabric's color and it is a fresh stain, dip a clean rag into some ammonia and dab it onto the stain. Allow the ammonia to set in for about five to 10 minutes.

2. For older stains, dip a rag into white vinegar and dab the stain. Allow the vinegar to set in for five to 10 minutes.

3. Treat the stain with a pre-wash stain remover. If you don't have that type of product, mix one tablespoon of laundry detergent with one cup of water. Dip a rag in the mixture and dab it onto the stain, allowing it to set in for five to 10 minutes.

4. Wash the shirt in water. Use the hottest water that the specific type of fabric can handle. Use regular laundry detergent.

5. Add bleach to the wash; use chlorine bleach for white shirts and color-safe bleach for colored shirts.

Tips & Warnings

• Never mix ammonia and bleach, as this mixture produces toxic fumes.

References

• Stain Buster -- Deodorant