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What are the Best Ways to Remove Sweat Stains?

Kay Paddock
Kay Paddock

Sweat can leave an unsightly yellow stain on clothing, particularly in the underarm area. Prevention is the best line of defense against these stains, but once the discoloration is there it is still usually possible to remove or minimize it. The best way to remove sweat stains is to catch them while they are new. Older stains are generally much harder to remove. There are a number of products and home remedies that should be able to help get rid of perspiration stains.

Sometimes very mild yellowing can be removed by washing and hanging the clothing in the sun, if the garment is white. Chlorine bleach should probably be avoided since it can actually make sweat stains darker. A detergent with color-safe bleach may work well for colored clothing. Spot-treating the stains with the detergent and pre-soaking may also help. Both colorfast and white clothing may come clean after soaking in a solution that contains an enzymatic cleaner. Several products are available today that use enzymes or oxygen-formulas to effectively remove organic stains like sweat or blood.

An antiperspirant can help with sweating.
An antiperspirant can help with sweating.

Some homemade solutions and pastes may also be effective in removing sweat stains. A paste made from water and baking soda can be applied to white clothing to help remove signs of perspiration. This also helps remove any lingering odor that sweat leaves behind. The paste can be left on for about 20 or 30 minutes before the clothing is laundered. A mixture of about half hydrogen peroxide and half water, with or without baking soda, can also be used to pre-soak white clothing for 20 to 30 minutes before washing.

A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.

If underarm stains are new, a product that contains ammonia may help with stain removal. When sweat stains are relatively fresh they contain a high amount of acidity. Ammonia counteracts this and can break down the stain. If the stain is older, the acidity typically fades and it becomes more alkaline in nature. An acidic substance like white vinegar or lemon juice diluted with water can help break down these older sweats stains so they are easier to wash away.

Sweat can leave stains on clothing.
Sweat can leave stains on clothing.

Sweat stain removal does not always work, especially if the stains have been set in by a hot dryer. Prevention can help eliminate the need to try to clean sweat stains after the fact. Choosing a deodorant that does not contain aluminum can sometimes help prevent or minimize yellowing. Wearing an undershirt to absorb sweat before it can soak into outer clothing can also help prevent the problem.

Discussion Comments

fify

@feruze-- I don't think you should wash stains in hot water, it will set the stains in more.

I haven't heard about the shampoo either. You should look into that more before trying.

I would recommend using a pre-soak with enzyme. That is probably the best thing to do if you don't want to risk any more damage to your clothing.

bear78

I heard that rubbing in shampoo and then washing at the highest water temperature in the washing machine gets sweat stains out.

Has anyone heard of this or tried this before?

I have a nice black shirt with sweat stains under the arms. I don't want to ruin it further trying to get the stains out. I need a foolproof method, I love this shirt! Any suggestions?

ysmina

I use hot water and vinegar. I dilute some vinegar in hot water and soak t-shirts in it.

It also works on furniture. You can soak a cloth in the same mixture and clean that spot on the sofa with it.

If this doesn't work because the stain has set in, I try stain removers and as last resort- bleach if the shirt is white. I know it's not good because it damages the fabric. But I dilute that with water as well and it's the last chance to save that shirt from being thrown out.

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    • An antiperspirant can help with sweating.
      By: karam miri
      An antiperspirant can help with sweating.
    • A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
      By: Anita Potter
      A diagram of the human skin, including sweat glands.
    • Sweat can leave stains on clothing.
      By: alexandre zveiger
      Sweat can leave stains on clothing.
    • Sweating is the body's way of regulating its temperature.
      By: camrocker
      Sweating is the body's way of regulating its temperature.
    • Chlorine bleach can darken sweat stains.
      By: Monkey Business
      Chlorine bleach can darken sweat stains.