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Original poster

AIBU to ask how to remove armpit crust from tops?

39 replies

GreenIsMyFavoriteColour · 02/10/2024 08:04

DP's shirt armpits become white and stiff with antiperspirant.

The shirts are too good for the bin. Surely there is some chemical that will just dissolve the stuff?

AIBU to ask Mumsnetters the best way to solve this problem?

OP posts:
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RampantIvy · 20/10/2024 08:15

Freshersfluforyou · 20/10/2024 08:13

We've had this issue and im pretty sure its also to do with the oils in the sweat. We use bio detergent /hot washes to no avail, it won't shift.
One member of my family has oilier sweat and sweats more than the rest of us and i think this causes this issue as their shirts are definitely worse.

I think you are right. I have followed every tip on this thread and nothing has worked for one of DD's T-shirts.

Freshersfluforyou · 20/10/2024 08:13

We've had this issue and im pretty sure its also to do with the oils in the sweat. We use bio detergent /hot washes to no avail, it won't shift.
One member of my family has oilier sweat and sweats more than the rest of us and i think this causes this issue as their shirts are definitely worse.

MrMucker · 20/10/2024 08:10

Someone said they binned a shirt because the armpit area was crusty and I'm quietly crying at the lack of regard for the process and material used in creating the shirt, at the waste, especially given the current drive even by clothing retailers themselves to pass on/upcycle/re-sell/repurpose.
Please don't bin clothes.

DataPup · 20/10/2024 07:56

mikado1 · 02/10/2024 08:44

It's the sweat/deodorant combo according to Gaff Goddess, who I find v good. A spray of vinegar pre wash is her advice and probably a soak as pp says if it's there already. I also put a cup of vinegar into softener drawer for every white wash.

Yes, it's definitely a combination of factors. I used to use the same deodorant as my husband but never had any issues whilst his shirts went crusty. Same washing powder, washing routine as well.

verycloakanddaggers · 20/10/2024 07:55

Soak with vinegar before washing to get rid of buildup. Also give it a scrub.

As prevention spray a little vinegar/water on before washing.

Mandoidi · 20/10/2024 07:52

There's a post in a science-based modern cloth nappies Facebook group I'm on asking the same thing. The moderator response is good old scrubs with nail brush and a bar of soap, then hot washes with the right amount of detergent. But there's 60 comments so there might be some other nuggets in there.

Link: www.facebook.com/share/p/14JE49BT1j/

BettyBardMacDonald · 20/10/2024 07:40

White vinegar.

Wear white t-shirt under good shirts. That used to be standard for men.

Original poster
GreenIsMyFavoriteColour · 20/10/2024 07:09

Thanks to everyone who commented.

We've tried bicarb paste and very hot water and it helps but doesn't just magically dissolve it away as I'd hoped.

I googled aluminium free anti persperants and it seems you have to switch to deodorant to avoid Aluminium.

He's going to try different brands of anti-persps in case his current brand is an especially sticky one.

OP posts:
Alwaystired23 · 02/10/2024 20:29

I think the best way to solve it would be to leave it to your dp to sort out.

Notmycatonmysofa · 02/10/2024 19:07

i had same problem with partners sports clothes, we use Halo sports laundry washing liquid, saved a fair few clothes. - sorry can’t post links

CabraCadabra · 02/10/2024 18:36

Try a bicarbonate of soda paste

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 02/10/2024 18:33

Make him deal with his own bloody skanky shirts.

offyoujollywelltrot · 02/10/2024 18:26

Soda crystals.

Make a paste using water and rub the paste into the sweaty areas. Add a cup of soda crystals to a bowl of water, and add the shirt to it and leave overnight.

Put through a wash as normal, preferably a hot one. You might have to start soaking his shirts by default by the sounds of it.

Don't combine bicarb and white vinegar because after the initial fizz, it's basically just salt water and ineffective.

TorroFerney · 02/10/2024 18:20

HG sweat stain remover has worked on our shirts. HG is generally wonderful for all things though, their sticky stuff remover is amazing.

Gwenhwyfar · 02/10/2024 18:16

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 02/10/2024 09:00

Good grief what are they putting in this deodorant and what harm is it doing his skin? best look for an alternative.

Clothes and skin are not the same. There's no indication this is doing anything bad to his skin.

BashfulClam · 02/10/2024 18:13

Capful of zoflora in the drawer. Dunno why but it works!

grumpypedestrian · 02/10/2024 18:12

When people say binning them do you mean adding to landfill?

Our local recycling centre takes used textiles for recycling, please do this instead.

GreatNorthBun · 02/10/2024 18:02

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 02/10/2024 08:41

Mildly interested by this as I have never seen it, and that is certainly not because we are magical non-sweating angels. I’m curious as to why.

For what it’s worth: we use Ariel professional bio powder plus Vanish powder as needed; never use fabric conditioner; typically wash on 40.

It's usually people who use non bio. That's why enzyme cleaners work to fix it.

RampantIvy · 02/10/2024 10:51

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 02/10/2024 09:00

Good grief what are they putting in this deodorant and what harm is it doing his skin? best look for an alternative.

DD sweats excessively. The milder antiperspirants are simply not an option. She has lots of allergies so I'm not convinced that botox injections are a good idea either.

I'm going to try the bicarbonate of soda and water trick.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 02/10/2024 09:00

Good grief what are they putting in this deodorant and what harm is it doing his skin? best look for an alternative.

Whatfreshhellisthis2 · 02/10/2024 08:51

DisorganisedMummyTurningOrgnaised · 02/10/2024 08:29

I used a barcarb soda and water paste - let it sit a few hours, comes right off!

I’d agree this works really well

TeaOrCoffeeOrHotChocolate · 02/10/2024 08:48

My husband gets this on his work polo shirts. They're not white but navy blue and the armpits just feel hard and crusty but aren't white. I tried the doctor beckmans stuff but it made no difference

LikeABat · 02/10/2024 08:47

Another vote for Dr Beckman. May need a few goes if very ingrained.

mikado1 · 02/10/2024 08:44

It's the sweat/deodorant combo according to Gaff Goddess, who I find v good. A spray of vinegar pre wash is her advice and probably a soak as pp says if it's there already. I also put a cup of vinegar into softener drawer for every white wash.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 02/10/2024 08:41

Mildly interested by this as I have never seen it, and that is certainly not because we are magical non-sweating angels. I’m curious as to why.

For what it’s worth: we use Ariel professional bio powder plus Vanish powder as needed; never use fabric conditioner; typically wash on 40.