How do I get deodorant out of my boyfriend's undershirts?
Question:My boyfriend wears white Hanes t-shirts every day under his dress shirts. He also uses a lot of deodorant. All of his white shirts now have hard, yellow stains on the underarm part of the shirt. I've tried the Oxy-Clean and that didn't seem to work very well. I've heard that I should soak them in vinigar and water overnite but...does the vinigar smell come out when you wash them? I've tried to get him to buy new shirts, but he's a penny pincher and he'll probably wear them until he can't stand it anymore. Any suggestions?
Answers:
It can sometimes be confusing as to whether that underarm or armpit stain is from perspiration or deodorant. If the stain is yellow or green in color and has a crunchy or crispy texture, it’s due to perspiration. If the stain, however, is white or clear with a greasy texture, it’s due to the antiperspirant and should be treated as a grease stain with the appropriate solvent.
A couple of suggestions for perspiration stains:
#1. With white fabrics, hydrogen peroxide is one of the best possible solutions for perspiration stain removal. The hydrogen peroxide will react with the proteins in the perspiration and break them apart, helping to prevent the gradual darkening of the area over time. Hydrogen peroxide is, however, like chlorine bleach in its whitening properties. It’s therefore to be approached with extreme caution around colored fabrics.
You can use the hydrogen peroxide either full-strength or diluted to half-strength (half water, half hydrogen peroxide). Since less is more, we recommend always starting with half-strength and adding more if necessary. Pour your hydrogen peroxide solution onto the stain and allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Launder on cool and air dry. If the stain remains, soak it for another 30 minutes in a stronger solution (more hydrogen peroxide).
#2. If hydrogen peroxide is too harsh for your colored fabric, another option that is usually safer for colors is a solution of vinegar and water. Use 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar and a half-cup of water to clean out stubborn perspiration stains. Allow the affected area to soak for 20-30 minutes, and then launder on cool.
#3. If you just can’t get the stains out with detergent, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar, make a paste to scrub in with your old toothbrush. The paste is formed with 1 Tablespoon of Cream of Tartar, 3 crushed aspirins (full-strength, ensure that they’re white and have no colored coating), and a cup of warm water. Use the old toothbrush to work the paste into the fabric, and then leave for 20 minutes. Rinse the affected area in warm water until the paste is removed. This treatment and rinse cycle can be repeated as necessary.
Good luck to you!
Deodorants & Antiperspirants
Sponge dry fabric stain thoroughly with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) and warm water. Rinse. If some stain remains, use a chlorinated laundry bleach or a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate. Antiperspirants may cause fabric damage and colour damage in some dyes. Colour may be restored by sponging with ammonia. Dilute ammonia with an equal volume of water for use on wool or silk. Rinse well.
hydrogen peroxide will clear up anything. make a paste with the powder or liquid detergent that you use and then put it in the affected area. Also pour a 16 oz bottle in the load when you wash but do not mix this with bleach. Instead use lysol brown bottle disenfectant-its about $6 a bottle but it will do the trick
i hope this helps
use the regular powered detergent. wet the spot, rub the detergent in let sit for about 15-20 mins. then wash.
I think you have landed on your feet by having a bloke who uses deodorant without being at gun-point. Leave the stains there for all to see and celebrate he is a clean hombre
I have the same problem. I buy new ones. They do lose the white look faster than I like, but I like to have a clean, crisp look. So I buy. Maybe hot water and bleach, (This is what I do til I can't).
If they are white Just use bleach!!!
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