Removing Deodorant Stains from Clothes

Deodorant, like most things in this world, can and will leave behind a stain if you aren't exactly careful. Removing deodorant stains from clothes can often be a little difficult if you don't know what to do. That being said, here are a few general guidelines that you can use to make the process a whole lot easier.

• Identify the material. Before you can begin removing deodorant stains from clothes, you need to identify the material that the stain is on. The reason for this is that not all materials can be cleaned in the same way. For general purposes, most fabrics can be described as either washable, or non-washable. Some examples of non-washable fabrics can include things like wool, rayon, silk, linen, and more. Examples of washable fabrics can include things like polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, spandex, olefin, and more.
• Non-washable fabrics. Non-washable fabrics that have a deodorant stain can be cleaned, though it may require a bit of work. Apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to the stain, and then cover with an absorbent pad that has been moistened with some alcohol as well. Keep in mind that some of the more fragile non-washable fabrics (such as acetate or rayon) should have a diluted alcohol mixture used instead. That mixture should be one part alcohol to two parts water. Be sure that you also color test your silks before applying any alcohol. Let the pad remain, and periodically change it out with a fresh one, until the stain has been removed. For particularly stubborn stains flush the area with some warm soapy water that has a little bit of ammonia mixed in (once again, make sure that you color test the more delicate fabrics). Rinse with clear water, and then apply another mixture of warm water and a little bit of white vinegar. Rinse again with warm water, and then allow it to dry thoroughly. You may need to repeat the process a few times for really set in stains.
• Washable fabrics. The easiest way to remove most deodorant stains from washable clothes is to first pretreat the stain. Apply the pretreatment solution directly to the stain, and then allow it to sit for about ten minutes. Launder the clothes as normal after that. Check to make sure that the stain has actually been removed prior to throwing the clothes into the dryer. If the stain has not come out then, make sure that you have completely rinsed out the detergent, and then flush the area with either some white vinegar, or some denatured alcohol. Rinse the area clean again, and launder as normal. You may need to repeat the process a few times depending on how bad the stain is.
• Leather. Considering that some clothes are made out of leather, you may want to learn how to remove deodorant stains from this material as well. All you really need to do is mix together a mild soap and some lukewarm water, and then get it really sudsy. Apply the foam only to the stain with a sponge. Grab a clean cloth and then wipe the stain clean. For pure leather (not suede) be sure that you also apply a leather cleaner or saddle soap to recondition the leather.