How to Get Rid of Sweat Stains From White Shirts
Are you sick and tired of throwing out white shirts with yellow sweat stains? Have you stopped buying white shirts altogether because you can't find a solution to this annoying, expensive problem?
We don't blame you.
Let's talk about how to remove yellow stains from white shirts so you can stop wasting money and make your shirts last longer.
HOW TO REMOVE YELLOW STAINS FROM WHITE SHIRTS
Try these four hacks to get yellow stains out of your white shirts or prevent them altogether:
- Use a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and salt
- Use a solution of dish soap, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
- Use a product like OxiClean
- Wear a Thompson Tee sweat proof undershirt
WHAT CAUSES YELLOW STAINS ON WHITE SHIRTS?
Did you know that sweat, on its own, is colorless and odorless? Yellow stains occur when chemicals in your antiperspirant mix with proteins in your sweat.
You may not see stains right away, but over time they "bake" into your shirts in multiple trips through the washing machine and hot dryer.
To learn more, read: The Science Behind Pit Stains and How To Stop Them.
There are three simple (but not easy) ways to avoid sweat stains:
- Stop sweating profusely.
- Stop using antiperspirant.
- Immediately wash your shirt after every wear.
Since none of these methods are practical (or even possible), let's talk about some actual ways to remove yellow stains from white shirts.
HOW TO GET YELLOW STAINS OUT OF WHITE SHIRTS: 3 EASY WAYS
When it comes to removing yellow stains from white shirts, two ingredients work best: hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Both substances have powerful stain-lifting abilities.
When hydrogen peroxide breaks down, it releases oxygen gas. This process (known as oxidation) is what lifts stains or "bleaches" them.Pro tip: Never use real bleach on a sweat stain, as it can make the stain permanent.
Baking soda also has a few chemical characteristics that make it an effective stain remover. Its mild alkalinity makes it great for removing grease and oil, two ingredients that contribute to yellow stain formation. It fizzes when mixed with water, helping to lift dirt and other particles like antiperspirants. Because of its crystal-like structure, baking soda also makes an excellent abrasive.
Pro tip: Before attempting to spot clean any garment, read the clothing tag first. If an article is "dry clean only" or made of wool, silk or leather, the following methods may not be appropriate.
SOLUTION #1. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, BAKING SODA AND SALT
Like baking soda, salt is an abrasive. Its granular texture makes it great for scrubbing out the toughest stains and absorbing grease and oil.
In this video, beauty blogger Henna Ali uses hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and salt to remove serious armpit stains from one of her favorite shirts. Check out how effectively it gets rid of yellow stains:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups baking soda
- 2 tsp hydrogen peroxide
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- Mixing bowl
- Scrub brush, old toothbrush or other short-bristled brush
Instructions:
- Combine hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and salt.
- Dampen your shirt stains with cold water.
- Apply the above mixture onto the yellow stains.
- Let the shirt sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Scrub the mixture into the stains with the brush.
- Rinse, then machine wash in cold water for one wash cycle and dry as usual.
Pro tip: The longer you let hydrogen peroxide soak into a stain, the better. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and soak your stained shirt in it overnight. Then try treating the stains using the above method the next day.
SOLUTION #2. DISH SOAP, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND BAKING SODA
Dish soap — it's not just for dishes! It's also a great stain fighter.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup liquid dish soap, like Dawn
- 2 cups hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Mixing bowl
- Scrub brush, old toothbrush or other short-bristled brush
Instructions:
- Combine dish soap and hydrogen peroxide in the mixing bowl.
- Apply the mixture to the yellow stain.
- Sprinkle some baking soda over the stained area.
- Let the shirt sit for one hour.
- Use the brush to gently scrub in baking soda.
- Rinse, then machine wash in cold water for one cycle and dry as usual.
Pro tip: For even brighter results, dry your shirt in the sun instead of the dryer. Let "nature's bleach" work its magic on your newly-clean white shirt!
SOLUTION #3: OXICLEAN
OxiClean is a powerhouse stain remover that may very well be the easiest way to remove yellow stains from white shirts.
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop OxiClean
- 1 gallon warm water
- Tub or bucket
Instructions:
- Mix OxiClean and water in a tub or bucket until fully dissolved.
- Submerge stained shirt and soak for 3-6 hours.
- Machine wash the shirt with your normal detergent, adding an extra scoop of OxiClean to the drum with your clothes.
- Dry as usual.
PREVENT YELLOW STAINS WITH A THOMPSON TEE
Wearing a Thompson Tee could be the ounce of prevention you're looking for. Our sweat proof undershirts are not just a barrier between your white shirts and sweaty skin. Each Thompson Tee is made with patented technology that absorbs sweat and releases it into the air as a vapor, keeping you cool, dry and stain-free.
Save your white shirts and take a giant leap toward yellow stain prevention. Try a Thompson Tee risk-free today!
FINAL TIPS ON DEALING WITH YELLOW PIT STAINS
First, don't use bleach to get rid of yellow pit stains. Many articles online recommend this solution, but it can actually make pit stains worse. There's a laundry list of fabrics that you should never use bleach on, and if your pit-stained shirt has even the smallest percentage of one of those fabrics, bleach could make the stain PERMANENT.
If you're looking for a quicker way to remove yellow pit stains, try OxiClean. It's the best option if you don't want to do any scrubbing or waiting.
Lastly, wear a Thompson Tee to stop pit stains for good. Our sweat proof undershirt is not just a barrier between your white shirts and sweaty skin. It's built with patented technology that absorbs and releases sweat into the air as a vapor.
Save your white shirts and take a step toward pit stain prevention: Try one risk-free today!
How to Get Rid of Sweat Stains From White Shirts
Source: https://thompsontee.com/blog/remove-yellow-stains-white-shirts-increase-lifespan/