The Deodorant Dilemma
Summer heat and sweat. The two go hand in hand, or more like arm and arm. Going without deodorant can cause a person to smell like a locker room, but deodorant can also wreak havoc on your clothes.
The Culprit
Deodorants and antiperspirants contain many chemicals including aluminum chloride, alcohol, and fragrances. When these acidic ingredients bond with sweat, they can stain, weaken and ruin your clothes. Cotton, linen, rayon and synthetic blends can stain and damage from aluminum chloride can cause the fabric to tear under the arms. Dry cleaners cannot detect the deterioration of underarm fabric until the effects, such as discoloration or torn fabric becomes visible
What Can You Do?
If deodorant contains a lot of alcohol (fragrance) or aluminum clothing will experience the discoloration more frequently. Try switching to a product that contains a lower aluminum content and a neutral PH. Let skin dry completely before applying deodorant and then allow your deodorant to completely dry prior to putting on your clothes. Wearing undershirts can protect your expensive dress shirts from stains and premature aging. Try to clean clothes soon after wearing them. Avoid leaving soiled clothing in hot cars before your trip to the dry cleaners. The heat can actually set stains and make matters worse.
What Happened with the Shirt Above?
Looking at the fine vertical tears, it might appear that the shirt became damaged during the laundry and pressing process. It was sent to the National Center for Garment Analysis where lab experts carefully examine garments, test them and prepare an objective report on the cause and responsibility of the problem. The report from the lab concluded that the holes in the shirt were caused by the chemical reaction of perspiration and antiperspirant. The chemical reaction degraded the fibers virtually making them dissolve. Unfortunately, once the damage has been done, it’s almost impossible to restore.