HOW TO GET PIT STAINS OUT OF SHIRTS (AND PREVENT DEODORANT MARKS)

You’re mid-celebration, arms in the air, cheering your team to victory—and then you spot it. A white streak or yellow stain under your arm that steals the spotlight. Whether it's a fresh deodorant mark or an old sweat stain that’s settled in, it’s not exactly a confidence booster.

White marks usually come from your antiperspirant rubbing off on fabric, while yellow pit stains build up over time as sweat reacts with ingredients like aluminum. Both can be tricky to remove, but not impossible. Here’s the lowdown on how to get stains out of your shirts and keep them from showing up again.

WHY PIT STAINS HAPPEN

White deodorant marks and yellow sweat stains form in different ways, but both are caused by what’s happening between your skin, your deodorant, and your clothes.

White marks are usually caused by deodorant rubbing off onto fabric—especially when it hasn’t dried yet.

Yellow stains are a result of sweat reacting with the aluminum compounds found in many antiperspirants. Over time, these reactions oxidize and set into fabric, especially on light-colored shirts.

Add buildup, heat, and time, and you’ve got a stain that can seem impossible to remove. But it’s not.

HOW TO GET YELLOW STAINS OUT OF SHIRTS

The baking soda method

The most reliable way to get pit stains out of shirts is with a baking soda paste.

• Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water.
• Apply to the stained area and scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
• Leave for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly, then wash as usual.

For tougher or dried, older stains, replace the water with lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to boost stain-fighting power. Follow these guidelines, which is especially effective on white cotton shirts:

• Lemon juice: Apply directly to the stain and let the shirt dry in sunlight. The citric acid and UV exposure help break down discoloration.
• For stubborn yellow patches, apply a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part baking soda. Leave for an hour before rinsing and washing.

HOW TO GET RID OF WHITE DEODORANT MARKS

Quick fix for fresh stains

If you catch it early, you’re in luck.

• Use a damp microfiber cloth or makeup remover wipe.
• Gently rub in a circular motion to lift the residue.
• Avoid using water alone. It can smear the product instead of removing it.

How to treat set-in deodorant marks

• Pre-treat the area with white vinegar before washing. Let it soak for 30 minutes, then launder as usual. 
• Skip the bleach. It can actually make yellow stains worse on light fabrics.

SMART FABRIC TIPS TO SAVE YOUR SHIRTS

Getting pit stains out of shirts is one thing but keeping your clothes in great shape while doing it is another. Different fabrics respond differently to stain treatments and washing techniques, so a little extra care can go a long way.

Wash inside out

Turn shirts inside out before washing to help the detergent reach deodorant marks and sweat residue trapped in the fabric, especially in the underarm area. This also protects the outer fabric, which is particularly helpful for dark shirts.

Be gentle with delicates

Silk, lace, and lightweight fabrics should be handwashed or washed in a cold, gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag.

Don’t crank the heat

Use cold water to lift sweat stains. Hot water can lock them in, especially on white or synthetic fabrics.

Give your laundry space

Overloading the machine means clothes don’t get rinsed properly, leaving behind residue that leads to stains over time.

Skip the softeners

Fabric softeners can trap sweat and deodorant in fibers. For activewear and synthetics, use a mild, enzyme-based detergent instead.

FAQs

How do you get dried sweat stains out of clothes?

Pre-soak the shirt in warm water mixed with detergent or white vinegar. Then apply the baking soda paste method before laundering.

Can old sweat stains be removed?

Yes, but they need more time and stronger ingredients. Apply a mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap to the affected area. Let it soak for at least an hour before rinsing. You may need to repeat this process for deeply set stains.

Why does deodorant leave yellow stains on clothes?

Aluminum-based antiperspirants can react with the proteins in your sweat. Over time, this reaction oxidizes and creates a yellow stain in the fabric.

How to get pit stains out of shirts fast?

Use a baking soda paste with hydrogen peroxide for fast results. It’s gentle on fabric but powerful on stains.

 

No one wants to worry about pit stains. With the right techniques and a little extra care, you can get pit stains out of shirts and protect your clothes long term. And when you pair smart laundry habits with a stain-fighting antiperspirant like Degree® UltraClear, you’re not just removing marks, you’re stopping them before they start.