A common misconception about underarm sweat stains is that the unbecoming stain on your shirt is caused by your sweat itself. Not true, notes Proctor and Gamble's Mike Thomas during an interview conducted by the International Hyperhidrosis Society. It's the transfer of your antiperspirant to the fabric that can result in staining or fading. It's possible to prevent underarm sweat stains simply by using antiperspirants properly and tending to garments before stains settle in.
Step 1
Choose solid antiperspirants rather than roll-on or gel types. The latter have a higher water content, which is transferred to your shirt more easily.
Step 2
Apply antiperspirant in a thin layer--there's no need to slather it on. Using too much product again makes it more likely that antiperspirant will find its way onto your shirt and cause stains.
Step 3
Allow your antiperspirant to dry completely before you put on your clothing. If you're a man, consider wearing an undershirt to prevent stains from ruining your favorite business attire.
Step 4
If antiperspirant gets on your shirt by the end of the day (and it probably will), simply rinse the garment in cold water before you wash it--never use warm or hot water, as this will cause a stain to set. Then launder the shirt according to the manufacturer's label.
Tips and Warnings
- Hydrogen peroxide is often mentioned as a way to get rid of deodorant stains. However, Thomas indicates that hydrogen peroxide isn't as effective as simply pre-treating shirts with plain cold water.
Things You'll Need
- Solid antiperspirant
- Laundry detergent (if required)
