Vivi is onto something - vinegar is excellent for laundry, and the OxyClean powder is fab for this sort of thing (general brightening as well as specific stain removal) as well.
I toss in a scoop of OxyClean powder into the wash in addition to whatever detergent I'm using:
http://www.oxiclean.com/in-was.....owder.aspxI also like the OxyClean Max Gel Force stain remover gel stick thingy for particularly difficult stains:
http://www.oxiclean.com/pre-tr.....stick.aspxThis one is like a bingo-dabber type of gadget - squeeze out some stain remover onto the stain, and rub it in with the nubbly surface at the top of the gel stain-remover stick. This product works *extremely* well, better than any stain remover product I've ever used (and I've tried a whole bunch of them).
In terms of vinegar - you can add a bit of vinegar to your wash in the bleach receptacle of your washing machine - very good for getting rid of those yellow-y stains in general. Vinegar is also excellent for preventing hard water mineral build up, as well as preventing colours from running (ie. you have a brand new pair of jeans and are worried about the blue dye rubbing off onto other items or into the wash - vinegar will 'fix' the colour into place, so to speak). I am not sure that vinegar spot removes deodorant/under-arm stains in particular, but it *does* sort of 'set' colours into place and ensures there's no build up of soap goo or hard water minerals.
If you can get yourself a large jug of no-name plain white vinegar, a box of OxiClean powder, and the OxiClean gel Max Force stain remover gel stick - you're in business - much better than just laundry detergent alone.
While I don't know for sure, I'm not convinced that switching out deodorants is the key here - I think it's more a case of finding the right detergents, rinse aids (vinegar even) and decent stain remover products - than it is fussing with trying umpteen brands of deodorant. Find the best deodorant/anti-perspirant that works for your needs, and treat the laundry as a separate issue.
Example procedure(s):
Whites:
Treat underarm stains with OxiClean Max Force gel stain remover stick. Throw white socks, undies, white washcloths/towels, white tees, etc., even your white button-up shirts into the washing machine. Toss in a scoop of OxyClean powder *and* a scoop of regular powder or liquid detergent. Wash in warm, with a cold water rinse. Put socks, towels, and white undies into the dryer, and hang up the wet, freshly washed white dress shirts and tees to dry on a hanger.
If you're not dealing with whites:
Treat stains/underarm stains with that same OxiClean Max Force Gel stain remover stick. Throw in rest of laundry - (let's say it's all blues/darks). Add detergent, and then add 1/4 cup of vinegar into the "bleach" receptacle of your washing machine. Wash everything in cold/cold, and select "extra rinse" if that's an option on the machine you're using (helps get rid of vinegar). Pull out the stuff you want to hang/line-dry and put the rest into the dryer. The vinegar will keep your dark colours and blues fresh.
The OxyClean powder is very good for whites, and the gel stain remover stick works for
all clothes. The vinegar is for colours/darks - helps keep colours fresh and dark.
For very old underarm stains (that have already been washed and dried repeatedly), you might not be able to remove them, sorry to say. In the future though, if you treat new underarm stains ASAP, you can get rid of them before they take hold.
Probably way more than you wanted to know....:)
PS - I just did a search, "Is OxiClean available in the UK?" and the gist is that these items should be available at Tesco. I'm very unfamiliar with stores in the UK, so I hope this is a common store in your area.
