It’s a frustrating scenario, especially when the stain doesn’t rub off right away. Many deodorant formulas are made to last, after all. However, it’s not impossible to rid those pesky marks in record time: If you’ve got a deodorant stain on your clothes that won’t budge (or you want to be prepared for the next time this occurs), see below for the best expert tips and at-home treatments: “The key, surprisingly, is to look for something dry with texture, like a dryer sheet or even balled-up pantyhose,” green-cleaning expert Tonya Harris tells mbg. To keep the trick eco-friendly, save your used dryer sheets every once in a while for these occasions, as a fresh piece isn’t necessary. If you have the time, try to steam the stain beforehand: “This will help relax the material as well as the stain,” Harris says. If you don’t have a steamer, you can hang the garment next to a steamy shower. Then begin to rub in circular motions with the sheet. “You should see the stain easily begin to lift,” Harris says. Finally, Harris explains, “Use a cloth, old toothbrush, or a laundry brush to gently scrub the stain.” Follow up by washing the garment as you normally would with a trusty detergent. Instead of reaching for a wet towel, use one of the methods listed above. These remedies are sure to fight the stain without spreading or compromising the color of your clothing. “Pit stains are actually typically caused by a reaction of sweat to chemicals in antiperspirant, particularly aluminum,” Harris previously told mbg. So if you keep it clear and natural, you’re sure to avoid both deodorant and pit stains in the future. Here’s a list of our favorite aluminum-free deodorants, for those on the hunt. But it’s not just switching to aluminum-free that will solve for this. Many aluminum-free deodorants rely on baking soda or other white powders, which can leave marks just the same as their antiperspirant counterparts. So as for the clear part, look for deodorants with a plant-based propylene glycol or propanedial high up on the INCI list, as that should give you the sheer appearance and gel consistency you’re looking for. These deodorants may also contain powders (like arrow root or tapioca powder) as supporting ingredients, but the overall formula is usually not as opaque white. Rather than rubbing the stain with a wet towel, opt for a dryer sheet, dry sponge, or a vinegar bath. In the future, look for a no-transfer, natural deodorant and let it completely dry before dressing. Now, if it’s sweat stains you’re dealing with? That’s an entirely different story.
