# How do you remove deodorant stain from shirt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 2, 2009, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629 "2009-09-02T13:00:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/1 "2009-09-02T13:00:58Z")
The anti-perspirant/deodorant I use is that white stuff. Seems to have embedded itself in one shirt I own. I have washed it several times but the white(ish) spot under the arm of the shirt remains. I like that shirt. Anyway to wash it out? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/2 "2009-09-02T13:39:11Z")
Sometimes, I have seen this “stain” to actually be a bleaching or changing of the fabric’s color. Good detergent and hot water usually gets out the deodorant/antiperspirant, but in a few cases where that didn’t work, I found the fabric had actually changed color. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/3 "2009-09-02T15:25:32Z")
Sez [Heloise](http://www.heloise.com/hints.html#faq): > [@Heloise](#): > > **Perspiration** > > Prevention is better than curative. Let antiperspirant or deodorant dry completely before putting on your garment. Pre-treat the underarm area of the garment with liquid laundry detergent, so the buildup can be washed away. If the stain is old, treat the area with white or apple cider vinegar to help dissolve the perspiration. Wash in hot water at least every third or fourth time to get rid of the buildup. I think she’s pussy-footing. In her print-based column she’s basically said “you’re SOL” w/r/t deodorant stains. Why yes, I _do_ read Heloise every day. Why do you ask? :o ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@Black\_Sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Sunshine)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/4 "2009-09-02T17:14:46Z")
I get that, too, particularly on dark cotton sleeveless shirts. I hate to sound like a commercial, but Oxy Clean is excellent for this. Make a paste (MAKE IT TWICE AS STRONG!) by putting some in a little dish and adding a bit of water. Work this into the deodorant-y area, and let it sit for a couple of hours. Wash as normal. You might have to give it a couple of tries to get it all out. Vinegar works too, but IME, it takes longer. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/5 "2009-09-03T12:26:15Z")
I second the oxyclean motion. It has worked for me! ---
**Author:** ![chromaticity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@chromaticity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chromaticity)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/6 "2009-09-03T13:43:37Z")
Usually the answer to any such stain removal questions is, Baking soda. Haven’t tried it myself, but I have read it in lots of places. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-deodorant-stain-from-shirt/508629/7 "2009-09-03T17:38:22Z")
Have you tried sweating on it? That should negate the stain, I would think. 😉