How to Remove Deodorant Stains: Tips and Guidelines

Deodorant may be designed to stop odors, but the sight of it can be less than pleasant. Whether it comes from exercise or from accident, it can ruin the appearance of many materials.

Here's how you can get rid of those embarrassing deodorant stains.

After you identify the affected material, follow these steps to remove deodorant stains:

Non-washable fabrics such as 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 such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Brass, Bronze, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Chromium, Cork, Enamel, Glass, Gold, Grout, lron, 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

Follow these steps to remove deodorant stains from non-washable fabrics such as Acetate, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate and Wool:

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with alcohol (dilute alcohol with 2 parts water for acetate, Rayon, and triacetate; test silk for colorfastness before using alcohol).
Keep both moist.
Allow to stand as long as any stain is being removed.

If the stain remains (and as a last resort):

Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) with a solution of warm sudsy water with a little ammonia added (use special care on silk and wool).
Rinse with clear water.
Apply a solution of warm water with a little white vinegar added, taking special care with this solution on cotton and linen.
Rinse again with clear water.
Dry thoroughly.

If the color of the fabric has been changed, it may possibly be restored by sponging (the method of using light strokes with a dampened pad working outward from the center of the stain) lightly with a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part ammonia.

Caution: Never iron material with a deodorant stain. The combination of chemical and heat interaction will ruin most fabrics.

Washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove deodorant stains from washable fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex:

Most deodorant stains can be removed by pretreating (the method of applying a stain-removing agent directly to the stained area before laundering) with a liquid detergent or prespotter.
Launder as usual.

If the stain doesn't seem to be loosening with the pretreatment:

Rinse out the detergent.
Flush with white vinegar.
Rinse in clear water.

If the stain remains:

Flush the area with denatured alcohol.
Rinse with clear water.
Dry or launder as usual.

Household Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove deodorant stains from household surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Brass, Bronze, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Chromium, Cork, Enamel, Glass, Gold, Grout, lron, Linoleum, Marble, Masonry Tile, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Tin, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile or Vinyl Wallcovering:

Wipe the area with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Leather and Suede

Follow these steps to remove deodorant stains from Leather and Suede:

Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water.
Swish to create a great volume of suds.
Apply only the foam with a sponge.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
On leather only, follow with a leather cleaner or saddle soap to condition the leather.

Wallpaper

Follow these steps to remove deodorant stains from Wallpaper:

Carefully wipe the wallpaper with a sponge dampened with clear warm water.
Do this immediately after staining the wallpaper, as deodorants can permanently stain the paper.
Strokes should be overlapped to prevent streaking.
Gently pat dry with a clean cloth.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove deodorant stains from Wood:

Wipe spills or deodorant-sprayed area as soon as possible with a sponge or soft cloth dipped in mild sudsy water.
Wipe dry.
Apply wax or polish as needed.