October 18, 2025, 3:42 am | Read time: 4 minutes

How Deodorant Stains Form

Unsightly deodorant stains appear faster than you might think. The discolorations primarily come from deodorants containing aluminum. The aluminum salts react with sweat, leaving those annoying stains on our shirts.

Home Remedies for Deodorant Stains

Citric Acid

Citric acid is available at any drugstore or supermarket and helps remove deodorant stains. Add two to three tablespoons to a liter of warm water and treat white clothing with it. Simply soak the T-shirt or shirts overnight, then wash as usual.

Curd Soap

This classic cleaning agent is also suitable for targeted and cost-effective stain removal: Moisten the deodorant stains with a little water, lather the curd soap, and rub it over the stain like an eraser. Then put it in the washing machine.

Denture Cleaner

This secret weapon sounds a bit unusual but is super effective: Denture cleaner contains bleach and makes unsightly spots like deodorant or sweat stains disappear by dissolving a few tablets in warm water and letting it work on the discolored area. After about five minutes, wipe off the solution and the deodorant stains are gone.

Aspirin

This remedy is conveniently often already at home—in the medicine cabinet: Crush one or two paracetamol or aspirin tablets and mix them with a little water to create a creamy consistency. Apply this to the deodorant stains and let the paste work for up to half an hour so the slightly acidic pH of the tablets can take effect. But be careful: Avoid using it on delicate fabrics like silk, as the medication can permanently damage the material.

Vinegar

This home remedy is also perfect for removing deodorant stains: Place the clothing in a vinegar water bath, consisting of one part vinegar essence and four parts water. It’s best to soak the clothes overnight, then wash as usual.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is considered a versatile home remedy—and rightly so. It contains sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, which reacts alkaline and thus dissolves dirt and stains. However, when washing, do not let the powder sit too long, as the starch it contains has no cleaning effect and can leave residues. After a short exposure time, it’s best to wash normally in the machine. Baking soda is especially popular with those who prefer environmentally friendly and simple cleaning.

Gall Soap

Gall soap is a time-tested home remedy due to the taurocholic acid it contains, which removes all kinds of stains in no time—including annoying deodorant stains. Moisten the soap and apply it directly to the stain. Use a sponge to massage the soap into the fabric with dabbing motions. Let the gall soap work for about 30 minutes. Then the shirt can go into the washing machine. For delicate fabrics, it’s best to wash the soap out by hand.

Also interesting: Yellow stains? How to make the yellowed pillow white again

More on the topic

Affordable and Effective 5 Home Remedies to Remove Sweat Stains

Cleaning Tips White Spots on Dark Laundry: Which Home Remedies Help

Don’t Forget to Clean the Washing Machine

Another reason for persistent odors and discolorations in clothing despite washing can be a dirty washing machine. Bacteria and dirt accumulate in the machine, especially when washing continuously at low temperatures. It is therefore recommended to run a hot wash at 90 degrees every few months and regularly remove dirt from the lint filter. The washing machine door should remain open after the wash cycle so the machine can dry from the inside and no germs form.

Pay Attention to Ingredients When Buying Deodorant

Choosing a deodorant without aluminum from the start can prevent unsightly deodorant stains. Because: If there is no aluminum in the deodorant, it cannot react with sweat—so it’s worth checking the ingredients. There are also many natural deodorant alternatives like sage or tea tree oil—these are not only gentle on the skin but also environmentally friendly due to the lack of plastic packaging.