Deodorant marks
Also: antiperspirant buildup · white marks · deodorant residue
Deodorant marks are the white, waxy streaks or stiff buildup left by antiperspirant on the inside and underarms of tops. Often mistaken for staining, fresh marks brush off while long-term buildup sets into the weave, and they count under odor-and-cleanliness and, if crusted in, fabric-condition.
How to detect it
- Turn the top inside out and look for waxy white streaking at the underarms
- Rub the area — surface residue smears while set-in buildup stays crusty
- Feel for stiffness in the underarm panel where product has accumulated
Grade impact
Deodorant marks fall under Odor & Cleanliness (10%). Light surface residue that brushes off is negligible and stays near Excellent (8); crusted, set-in buildup that has stiffened the underarm weave drops the item toward Good (6).
Fixability
Usually removable. A white-vinegar soak, an old nylon rubbed over the streak, or an enzyme wash lifts most buildup. Clean it before photographing, since residue reads as a permanent stain to buyers otherwise.
How to disclose it
If it fully cleans, no note is needed; if buildup has stiffened the fabric, disclose that ('slight underarm residue that did not fully release'). Don't let removable residue photograph as a stain.
Deodorant marks — frequently asked
- Are deodorant marks the same as pit stains?
- No. Deodorant marks are surface product buildup — white, waxy streaks that usually wash out. Pit stains are yellow discoloration from sweat reacting with antiperspirant over time, which soaks in and often won't fully lift. One is cleanable, the other frequently permanent.
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