How to Remove Deodorant Stains

It can be very embarrassing, especially if it happens at a business meeting or social event. When it does happen, you may wish you could crawl into a hole.

What are we talking about? When you raise your arm for something and show off an unsightly deodorant stain on your shirt, blouse or other item of clothing. You know people notice because their eyes are drawn right to your armpit, and there is never a hole close enough to crawl in to.

This type of stain builds up over time. When you perspire, some of the deodorant transfers to your clothing and each time you do the laundry, some of it sticks. However, removing deodorant stains can be accomplished with a few simple steps.

Plan ahead

Before putting your clothes in the laundry basket, spray or rub areas of concern liberally with a product designed for treating laundry spots and stains. Your regular laundering will be much more effective.

Pre-treatments

Before laundering the offending garments, fill a sink or, if you have a lot of clothes, a bathtub with hot water and add a small scoop of laundry detergent and mix it up until completely dissolved. Put the clothes in and let them soak for 30 minutes, and then launder them right away.

Color-safe bleaches

As you would do with pre-treating in a sink or tub, instead of using laundry detergent, add a scoop or two of a color-safe bleach. Follow directions on the package and allow plenty of dwell time for this bleach to work.

Chlorine bleach

This is a last-resort attempt to remove deodorant stains. Chlorine bleach, such as found under the name “Clorox” at your grocery store, is an oxidizer but very aggressive. Use with care. Follow directions on the bottle when you use this type of product either as a pre-treatment or in the washing machine.

And when you need something cleaned you can’t do yourself, such as your carpet, tile and grout, furniture or other surfaces, don’t forget to call us at Regency DRT. Our experts  know how to do it right!