For any readers who are a bit squeamish… oh, who are we kidding – if you’re reading this, you’re probably not terribly sensitive to discussions about sweat or armpits. Today we’re talking all things pit stains, so pull on your favorite white tee and raise those arms up high.

What really causes pit stains.

Those lovely yellow markings under your pits? Turns out… not from your sweat! In addition to being odorless, sweat is also colorless. Pesky yellow pit stains are actually a result of the chemical reaction that occurs when colorless sweat comes in contact with chemicals on your skin – particularly the aluminum found in conventional antiperspirants and deodorants. So saying buh-bye to yellow armpit stains is yet another benefit to switching to an all-natural, aluminum free deodorant. But ditching toxic deodorant doesn’t have to mean going all Marie Kondo on your stained stuff.

How to get rid of yellow pit stains.

Baking Soda
Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to ¼ cup of warm water and apply to the stained area as a pre-treatment. For set-in stains, leave to soak for two hours before washing. Really need to turbo-boost the stain-fighting power of baking soda? Add a bit of white vinegar to kick things up a notch before washing.

Aspirin
Crush 2 aspirin and mix with a ½ cup of hot water. Pour onto the stains and let soak for a few hours before washing.

Dishwashing Liquid
Mix dish soap and hydrogen peroxide in a 1:2 ratio, and scrub with a toothbrush or other scrub brush of some kind. Let the shirt sit for about an hour then toss it into the washing machine.

What about deodorant stains?

Deodorant stains can happen when you get a tad overzealous on the application. Using too much or not allowing the product to fully absorb before getting dressed can leave excess residue on your clothes. Remember, Pretty Frank Deodorant is a highly-effective natural deodorant so a little goes a long way.

That’s why we recommend no more than a pea sized amount under each pit. If you’re using our stick, only one or two swipes on each side should do it. You can also spend a little extra time pampering your pits and use your fingers to massage the deodorant in, and always wait a few minutes until it’s fully absorbed before getting dressed.

Got some on your clothes? Don’t panic – there are several quick and easy solutions.

How to Get Rid of Deodorant Stains

  1. Pre-treat with baking soda or dishwashing liquid to help loosen the excess deodorant.
  2. Wash with the hottest water possible – heat helps to dissolve the coconut oil and shea butter.
  3. Dry in the dryer, if possible. For more delicate fabrics, try using a hair dryer on low heat directly on the stained area to melt the deodorant before removing with a damp cloth.

Good as new.