Sweat happens - to all of us - and often at the worst possible time. Anxious at a job interview? Hello sweaty pits! On a romantic date? Here go the waterworks. That’s why we plan ahead and protect ourselves with our friend, deodorant. Except there’s one downside to that magical product… Deodorant stains.
That’s right, your deodorant might keep you smelling fresh, but it can also cause you to feel embarrassed every time you lift up your arm to reveal those unsightly, yellowish wet spots. So what can you do to fight it?
This article will tell you everything you need to know.
Deodorant Stains on Clothing
There are two ways deodorant can betray you and leave your clothes stained. One is when you use white stick deodorant, a product that somehow manages to find its way onto your dark-colored clothing no matter how careful you are when applying.
And you can’t even catch a break by wearing light or white clothes because, while those white marks might not show up, many deodorants will still leave yellowish discoloration on the armpits of your clothes.
You know what we’re talking about: the dread “pit stain” that usually appears on the inside of your clothes, but can even show through to the outside when you wear something lightweight or thin. Worst of all, much of the time the discoloration remains even after you wash your clothes, and when that happens, there might be no way to save the garment. A buildup of deodorant and sweat on fabric is very hard, if not impossible, to remove.
What Causes Deodorant Stains?
So why does this happen anyway? A common misconception is that pit stains are caused by your sweat itself. But the truth is that it’s not your sweat that’s the culprit; it’s your deodorant.
If you were just sweating directly onto your clothes, it wouldn’t stain the way that it does when you’re wearing deodorant. But when your sweat mixes in the aluminum that is found in most deodorants and antiperspirants and absorbs into your clothing, it can discolor fabric, especially if the item is exposed to heat in the washer or dryer, which can leave you with an ugly yellow stain.
Sometimes, clothing doesn’t show deodorant stains the first time you wear them, but over time, you might start to notice the telltale discolored crescents under your arms as more and more residue builds up.
How to Prevent Deodorant Stains
Thankfully, deodorant stains aren’t a problem that you just have to accept as a fact of life. There are certain things you can do to avoid them, including:
- Using specially-formulated “no stain” deodorants and antiperspirants. Just be sure to test them out, because some products claim to be stain-free, but aren’t.
- Applying a minimal amount of deodorant or antiperspirant instead of slathering it on. Less really is more.
- Trying different brands of deodorant. Some brands work better for some people than others.
- Allowing your deodorant to fully air dry before you get dressed
- Using deodorant, which focuses on masking odor, rather than an antiperspirant, which is usually the product that contains the aluminum that causes pit stains.
- Speaking to a doctor to address the possibility that you might be sweating more than is normal and receiving professional suggestions to address it.
- Choosing clothing that is designed not to show deodorant stains
And, of course, if you want to go the hardcore route, you can forgo deodorant entirely. Just don’t be surprised if people avoid standing too close to you in public.
The Clothing You Need to Wear if You're Out and About All Day
If you’re planning to be out and about all day and it’s fairly warm outside (or you know you will be in a sweat-inducing situation), there are some kinds of clothes that might help to prevent or disguise deodorant and sweat stains, such as:
- Natural fabrics like cotton and linen, which allow air to pass through the fabric, helping to dry up sweaty pits
- Looser clothing styles – the more airflow there is, the less sweat will build up
- Patterned, darker fabrics rather than plain or light-colored ones to disguise any stains that do happen
Here are some other tips to keep in mind.
- Avoid plain, dark fabrics unless you are using a transparent deodorant that won’t leave white residue on the garment
- If you are going to be in a very hot location for the day, consider wearing a sleeveless top that allows air to circulate under your arms, which will help to keep you dry
- If you are going to an event that you know will make you sweaty from nervousness, consider taking a jacket or coverup along. That way, even if you do get sweaty pits, you can cover it up and look as cool as a cucumber when you need it most.
How Social Citizen Sweat Proof T-Shirts Can Help You
And if none of the above options help eliminate your deodorant stains entirely, you have one more option that is sure to do the trick.
Social Citizen designs and manufactures a range of fashionable t-shirts that look great and have sweat-proof technology built right into the pits. Our sweat-proof shirts use clever bamboo-infused fabric and our top-secret underarm design to create a shirt that hides sweat without looking like a sweat-proof shirt. So you’ll never have to share your secret if you don’t want to!
In fact, Social Citizen shirts are so good at blocking sweat and deodorant stains that we 100% guarantee them!
You might have seen other sweat-resistant shirts that look like you’re smuggling something under your arm. Rest assured that our shirts don’t look like that. In fact, they look so smooth and ordinary that you might wonder if they’ll actually work – until you try them.
Whether you choose to wear one of our stylish designs on their own or under another top, our pit technology will keep you dry and stain-free.
Why Choose Sweat Proof Shirts?
If you’re asking yourself if it’s worth investing in a sweat-proof shirt (or a whole closet full), it depends: how much of a sweat problem do you have?
If you’re regularly ruining your clothes with a combination of sweat or deodorant stains, or you find yourself avoiding situations that might make you sweat, these shirts are a great idea. Rather than spending endless money on new shirt after new shirt after you have to get rid of the stained ones, you can purchase one or two high-quality deodorant stain-resistant shirts that will last you for much longer.
We all sweat, and we all have to use products to keep us dry, but we don’t have to live with stained clothes. So if you’ve tried everything else and you still can’t find the perfect solution for your sweaty armpits and deodorant stains, why not try a Social Citizen shirt? You’ll look like the coolest, calmest person in the room, no matter what the situation.
