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Personal Hygiene Image Gallery: Whether it's antiperspirant or deodorant, both can spoil that new shirt. See more personal hygiene photos.
Stockbyte/Getty ImagesWhile deodorant is intended to block odors, its appearance can sometimes be less than pleasant. Whether from exercise or an unfortunate accident, it can affect the look of various fabrics.
Here’s how you can remove those unwanted deodorant marks.
Once you've identified the material affected, follow these steps to remove deodorant stains:
- Non-washable fabrics like Acetate, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, and Wool
- Washable fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, and Spandex
- Household surfaces like Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Brass, Bronze, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Chromium, Cork, Enamel, Glass, Gold, Grout, Iron, Linoleum, Marble, Masonry Tile, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Tin, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, and Vinyl Wallcovering
- Leather and Suede
- Wallpaper
- Wood
Non-washable Fabrics
To remove deodorant stains from non-washable fabrics such as Acetate, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, and Wool, follow these steps:
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad soaked in alcohol (dilute alcohol with 2 parts water for acetate, Rayon, and triacetate; test silk for colorfastness before using alcohol).
- Keep both damp.
- Let them sit until the stain is completely removed.
If the stain persists (and as a final option):
- Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) with a mixture of warm soapy water and a small amount of ammonia (take extra care with silk and wool).
- Rinse with clean water.
- Apply a solution of warm water with a little white vinegar added, being cautious with cotton and linen.
- Rinse again with fresh water.
- Dry completely.
If the fabric’s color has been altered, it might be restored by gently sponging (the technique of using light strokes with a dampened pad working outward from the center of the stain) with a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part ammonia.
Caution: Never iron a fabric with a deodorant stain. The combination of heat and chemicals will damage most materials.
Washable Fabrics
Follow these steps to eliminate deodorant stains from washable fabrics like Acrylic Fabric, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, and Spandex:
- Most deodorant stains can be treated by applying a stain-removing agent directly to the affected area before washing (this is called pretreating) using liquid detergent or a prespotter.
- Launder as usual.
If the stain doesn’t seem to be loosening after pretreatment:
- Rinse out the detergent.
- Flush with white vinegar.
- Rinse with clear water.
If the stain remains:
- Flush the affected area with denatured alcohol.
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
- Allow to dry or launder as you normally would.
Household Surfaces
Follow these instructions to remove deodorant stains from household surfaces like Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Brass, Bronze, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Chromium, Cork, Enamel, Glass, Gold, Grout, Iron, Linoleum, Marble, Masonry Tile, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Tin, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, or Vinyl Wallcovering:
- Wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in warm soapy water.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry with a clean, dry cloth.
Leather and Suede
To remove deodorant stains from Leather and Suede, follow these steps:
- Prepare a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water.
- Swirl to produce a good amount of suds.
- Use a sponge to apply only the foam.
- Wipe off with a clean cloth.
- For leather, apply a leather cleaner or saddle soap afterward to condition the material.
Wallpaper
To remove deodorant stains from Wallpaper, follow these instructions:
- Gently wipe the wallpaper using a sponge moistened with clear warm water.
- Do this immediately after the stain appears, as deodorant can permanently mark the paper.
- Overlap your strokes to avoid streaks.
- Lightly pat dry with a clean cloth.
Wood
Here’s how to tackle deodorant stains on Wood:
- Immediately clean any spills or deodorant marks with a soft cloth or sponge dampened in warm, soapy water.
- Dry the area thoroughly.
- If needed, apply a layer of wax or polish to restore the wood’s shine.
