How Do You Get Deodorant Stains Out of Your Undershirts? Part Two.
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Deo-Go cleans set-in yellow underarm stains, deodorant build-up, and odor.
Update 9/2012
Be sure to browse through all the comments in this article below for what works and what doesn’t.
Also, check out New Pit Stain Problem You Tube Channel.
Update 7/2010
| Deo-Go is 100% Effective in Removing Yellow Armpit Stains and Deodorant Build-up from Shirts.
Check out my Deo-Go Review Here. |
– original article –
I’ve been getting lots of visitors interested in the topic of underarm stains. More specifically, how to remove them from your shirts.
A little over a week ago, I posted this article providing some information on the topic. After doing some additional research, I found these suggestions on Yahoo! Answers (but formated them nicely here for you to easily read). I have not tried these
Do you have yellow pit stains?
personally, but would love to hear from anyone who has. In the coming weeks I’ll test some of these out and report back.
- Ammonia/Water: Dilute a half cup of ammonia with 4 cups of water and daubing the solution on the stain repeatedly until it is lightened or removed entirely.
- Take two aspirins: Crush them and mix with a half cup of hot water. Pour directly on the stain and allow it to sit for a couple of hours.
- Baking soda: Add enough water to 1/4 cup of baking soda to form a runny paste. Apply directly to the stain and work it in. If the stain is particularly bad and smelly, let the baking soda paste remain on the garment for a couple of hours then brush it off. Baking soda is very good for removing odors!
- Fresh or concentrated lemon juice: You may squeeze fresh lemon juice directly on the stain until it is quite wet, then add a spoonful of table salt. Rub between your fingers until the stain lifts. This also helps remove dark underarm stains on t-shirts and undershirts. If it is a bright sunny day, exposing the garment to the sun and allowing it to dry will enhance the stain removing power of the lemon juice.
- Meat tenderizer: Another one for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Moisten the perspiration stain with warm water then sprinkle liberally with meat tenderizer. Work it is and allow it to sit for several minutes, then launder as usual.
- Salt: Regular table or pickling salt is a miraculous ingredient in many things, including household cleaners. Use salted water to soak stained garments; mix with white vinegar for a very good stain remover. Use with lemon juice – see #4 tip above.
- White vinegar: Mix a cup of white vinegar with 4 cups warm water. Dip stained garment in vinegar solution and scrub between your knuckles. If the stain is persistent, you may soak the entire garment in the vinegar solution for a couple of hours before running through a normal wash cycle. Check the fabric label to be sure it does not need to be dry cleaned!
- Oxi-Clean: This is a wonderful product for eliminating many clothing stains. Follow manufacturers directions.
- Borax: This is an old-time cleaning remedy that is still appropriate today – plus its a whole lot cheaper than some of the costly products on the supermarket shelves. Run warm water through the stain then sprinkle on a generous amount of Borax – don’t go crazy, but use enough so that you can see it like a good shake of salt on the stain. Rub it together with your fingers and then launder as usual.
Update – 8/26/08: Some more votes from a thread on Style Forum for rinsing with cold water & oxi-clean:
…The trick here is preemptive action, I believe. I used to get those stains too. Now I am careful to remove any excess antiperspirant from my armpits before I put on my shirts. When I take the shirts off I thoroughly rinse the underarms with cold water (I found a site online that had tested different methods and this was the best they found) and scrub them with a SprayNWash stick. In the wash, I use oxi clean. I don’t put my shirts in the dryer and I don’t run the iron over the underarm areas either – don’t want heat to set-in any remaining antiperspirant and make that evil permanent stain you are lamenting right now…
…Oxi Clean worked wonderfully on a number of my shirts underarm regions. A few of the more thoroughly-stained white shirts (with yummy yellow pits) were too far gone for Oxi Clean to work…
Update – 9/29/08: Found another possible remedy on this AskAndy forum thread.
It is my theory that sweat contains minerals, just like most tap water. When sweat, or tap water, evaporates, it leaves the mineral deposits behind. This is why bleach doesn’t remove it, because it isn’t a stain. If you hold one of your stained shirts up to the light, you will see that it looks like a deposit of material there.
I use products like CLR (calcium,lime,rust remover) with good success. I prefer the Zep brand stuff sold at Home Depot.
Update – 6/06/2009: Secret to Keeping Your Undershirts Their Whitest and Brightest without using Bleach
Update – 01/15/2010: A friend of my purchased The Encyclopedia of Men’s Clothing (says it’s amazing) from AskAndyAboutClothes.com and his book has a section about removing stains, perspiration and prevention. Here’s what it says:
YELLOW STAINS
Use denture cleaning tablets! Fill a basin with water and add one or two tablets. Let the tablets dissolve and then soak the garment until the yellow is gone.PERSPIRATION
Perspiration, if allowed to stay in fabric, will eventually permanently stain and weaken the fabric. Aluminum chlorides in antiperspirants can also stain and weaken fabric. Controlled use of antiperspirants and laundering shirts immediately after wear can minimize the damage.1. If the stains are fresh, soak the shirt in ammonia for 30 minutes then wash.
2. If they are older stains, try soaking in vinegar first. If that doesn’t do it, try heated white vinegar and borax or non-chlorine bleach. Old stains are more difficult to treat because they have been set, particularly from being heated in the dryer.You can also soak the shirt in a 50-50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water for 30 minutes, then wash. And you can put liquid laundry detergent right on the stain, leave it for five to ten minutes, then wash.
Launder shirts in the hottest water safe for the fabric, using an enzyme detergent or a detergent with bleach alternative (check care labels to be sure this is okay).
Bleach and/or baking soda may set yellow perspiration/deodorant stains on the underarms of shirts.
PREVENTION:
Let deodorant dry before you put on your shirt. See the Deodorant or Antiperspirant in the Grooming Chapter, under Skin Care.
And don’t let stains sit! Apply pre-wash spray or liquid detergent ASAP, and then launder. Use the hottest water safe for the garment.
Wearing an undershirt can also help keep stains off your shirts. Wear a T-shirt or V-neck, any undershirt that covers the underarms, not a tank top. They’re comfortable and present a better appearance under a sheer dress shirt.
Category: Ask Tug, Sweat Management
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Sites That Link to this Post
- Ask Tug: Wanna Know the Secret to Keeping Your Undershirts Their Whitest and Brightest Without Using Bleach? | The Undershirt Guy Blog | June 5, 2009
- Ask Tug: Where can I find a comfortable Undershirt that keeps out the sweat stains? | The Undershirt Guy Blog | January 15, 2009
- Axe Gel Deodorant ruining-staining undershirts? | The Undershirt Guy Blog | July 29, 2008
I have a HE washer and it seems that’s when I started having problems with my clothes not getting clean and underarm stains. I must admit that I use cold water, rarely warm. I am wondering if the combo of these 2 is what is doing it? I am currently using Kirkland brand detergent, but use very little due to recommendations for HE washers. Also I have been tossing in a large scoop of baking soda. It seems I am just doing everything wrong!
I am nervous to try some of these suggestions on colored clothes. I used vinegar on grey sheets and it ruined the color. I used lemon juice and had to rewash the load because there was a weird “crispy” area on the bedding cover I washed. I am getting to the point where I feel like I need to throw out my clothes and start with major preventative care on the new clothes. So frustrating. Also. If clothes get tossed in the laundry damp (being from humid GA) they very easily get that damp musty smell. We have been drying our towels after every shower to try and prevent this. And again just another thing that seems to not be working as well as hoped.
hey janae,
i’m not too familiar with how ‘he’ washing machines operate or what laundering methods optimize washing conditions in those types of machines, but i can tell you a bit more about the underarm stain removal.
most of the treatments outlined here should not make the color on your garment bleed, however, it mostly depends on how the garment was dyed and not so much on the actual cleaning treatment. it’s always safest to test the treatment on a place of the garment/shirt that you can’t see first.
the only treatments that i’ve heard can remove set-in underarm stains are:
1. oxiclean (with or without baking soda) – must rub in oxyclean into stain, and soak shirt overnight in oxiclean/water mixuture
2. deo-go or raise stain remover – spray, scrub, wait 30 minutes, launder – pretty easy
3. hydrogen peroxide / baking soda – paste
4. simple green
here’s a rather current article at one of my recommended sites that offers similar cleaning ideas:
http://artofmanliness.com/2012/04/03/how-to-remove-yellow-armpit-stains/
oh, and my wife and i always hang our towels or gym clothes to dry before putting them in the hamper/laundry basket. like you said, if we put them in the wet, the laundry gets that nasty musty smell. ugh/yuck.
Thanks for your quick reply. I have found that oxyclean is amazing with some of the stuff it does clean. I just tried an experiment. I grabbed a few my husbands white tees. Filled the sink half way with warm water (i think our tank is set too low for true hot water) Dumped in white vinegar, soaked, sprinkled in oxyclean, soaked more, used baking soda paste on the inside of the shirts scrubbed with a stiff bristled brush, let set. washed a very small load on “hot” added detergent, white vinegar (softener area) and lemon juice (bleach area)
Results: The under arm areas are still stained and probably have some slight embedded deodorant but they are not caked feeling like they were before. The shirts are still dingy, and the underarm stains are still noticeable. But they seem much better than before. For all the work and the results I think buying new shirts is the best solution and then keeping up with them from there. Mind you, these shirts are old shirts and this issue has been going on for a while. I will see what the hubby says when he gets home, since he is the one who wears them!
thanks for the info janae!
have you ever tried deo-go or raise?
No, I had never even heard of them before looking up this issue today. If I can find them in the store and they are reasonably priced I may try it.
hey janae, here’s another solution someone used to clean underarm stains (dawn, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda)
I know this blog/topic is one you have been talking about for a while. Just wanted to say thanks for your time, help and attention. You are too kind! Dawn is a good idea, it cleans crude oil right!?!
that’s what i’m here for janae! happy to help anytime.
Before the next wash I will have to try the oxyclean paste and see how that works!
keep me posted!
I’m just wondering if these techniques will work for roll on deodorant stains? I’m having trouble trying to remove that type of stain.
hey courtney, thanks for stopping by and posting your question!
you know, i’ve been following this deodorant stain / yellow armpit stain removal topic for a couple of years now. most of what i’ve read leaves me with the understanding that, using the home remedies listed, results can vary widely between people and stain types. no matter what type of antiperspirant caused the stain.
what’s most interesting, is that i have never seen before and after pictures from anyone using home remedy solutions (vinegar, ammonia, oxi-clean, lemon juice). i have only read comments from people saying that one or the other process worked for them. why i’m saying that is because i would guess that some of the comments are 100% true, from people who’ve actually experienced it, and some other reviews are just people taking “results” from else-wear on the web and presenting it as their own.
out of all the home remedy solutions offered, i’d say these are the most likely to be effective:
1. denture cleaning tablets
2. hydrogen peroxide
3. rug doctor steam cleaning solution
4. clr (calcium, lime, rust) remover
5. oxi-clean
if you’d rather be more certain, you out to try out one of the two commercial armpit stain removing solutions:
1. deo-go
2. raise stain remover
I don’t have much problem with underarm stains but I do have a problem with not being able to remove the sweaty smell from out of the Under Armor brand shirts and pants. Is there a product that they can be pre-soaked in to remove the odor before washing. It doesn’t seem to matter what laudry detergent I use. Nothing has worked so far.
hey sandy, i have received feedback from other readers that deo-go (shown at the top of this page) also removes odors from regular clothing as well as activewear like under aromour.
also, i have written a couple of posts about smelly/stinky performance clothing. also, i was approached by a company that makes win green eco friendly detergent that claims to remove odors from moisture wicking clothing.
check into these products and please be sure to let me know if either one of them work for you. i know the information will be helpful to others looking for a similar solution.
I use a little bit of Clorox bleach with every load – whites, colors, everything…. If you are scared of the bleach-out spots, you can set the washer for a higher level of water and throw in a sheet of color catcher (I buy mine at Target).
Or you can add a cup of vinegar in the water but not together with the bleach! Vinegar neutralizes the smell, too.
Good luck!
hey stephanie, does that method actually clean those set-in yellow underarm stains and/or deodorant build-up? or does it clean/remove some other stain?
i’ve tried the vinegar/water thing – but it’s never been effective for me.
Don’t bother using non-chlorine bleach. It doesn’t work. Also, borax is a by-product of non-chlorine bleach, so don’t bother buying borax specifically to get rid of these stains because I am sure it costs way more. I still haven’t found anything that works. I’ve tried regular bleach, lemon juice, vinegar, non-chlorine bleach.
Ok every one, I have tried everything for those impossible deodorant stains from vinegar to denture tablets an everything inbetween. This is what worked AMAZINGLY and right before my eyes. Rug doctor steam cleaner. I know right? Why didn’t we think of that before? Pour it on the stain and rub the material with the palm of your hand and walla! The greatest thing about this is it works on OLD stains, new stains, colors and whites, water soaked or dry. I sprayed a bit of shout on the stain as well while working the stain out. Now, the trick is to keep this from happening in the first place. Well I figured that out also. After you take ANY shirt off, whether you see deodorant stains or not, spray with shout and throw in laundry basket until ready to do laundry. No more switching deodorants! Yippy! Shout is an excellent stain fighter! It works on many kinds of stains like chocolate, blood and many others. Shout works even better after it sits on your dry clothes more than one day and does not hurt colors. Let me know how this works for you.
great advice misty! that’s crazy that you thought of using rug doctor steam cleaner solution to clean pit stains! what made you think of that?
of course, now there’s a couple of products designed for removing yellow stains and deodorant build-up (deo-go and pit stop), but i think they are only available online right now.
that rug doctor solution is available at pretty much any supermarket, if i recall correctly. so that might be a good alternative for people to try out since they can get it locally.
The issue of the yellow stains comes from anti-persiprant. The aluminum oxide contained within the product creates a chemical reaction with the salt in your sweat causing the armpits of your shirts to yellow. The solution is to use only deodorant. Do not use anti-perspirant. I read this online a couple of years ago and changed to deodorant only products. After three years in my heavy weight JC Penney Staffords … not a single yellow stain. I tend to break a sweat easily and often.
hey pat, yeah that’s definitely an option (switching to deodorant), but there’s a trade off.
if you want to keep yourself dry in the underarm area, antiperspirant is the way to go. if you’re worried about the yellow stains, then you can either make the switch to deodorant, try out some of the new antiperspirants that minimize yellow staining (nivea black and white, speedstick with stainguard), or use some of these new solutions designed to remove the yellow stains.
for me personally, my undershirts stay pretty clean for a really long time. i believe this is because i put on my antiperspirant right after i get out of the shower, and it’s completely dry by the time i get dressed. also, i don’t sweat very much (except when i’m working out!), so i think that helps as well.
Thanks for the info I needed badly. CLR makes the most sense to me. I’ll try that first..
Excellent web site I WISH there was more publicity out there to get many old timers like me (40) to read about you guys.
Congrats and keep good work
Thanks Yags! The thing that seems to work for me is to put on my deodorant well before I get dressed, giving it time to fully dry (I use a Ban roll-on). Since I’ve been doing that, my undershirts don’t get any noticeable stains and seem to last a lot longer.
I used to get stains also. The problem is the deodorant and not your pits. Use a white stick deodorant and not the gel/clear stick. This will solve the problem. I use the Degree Invisible Solid, it doesn’t stain shirts but pieces of it may fall from your pits/shirt now and then. But the trade off is better.