The unsightly yellow armpit stains that build up on white shirts and other pale clothes can be pretty disheartening. But with the right techniques and products, they are easy to remove – so shirts consigned to the ‘only under a jacket’ category can once again be worn with pride. This article explains how to remove yellow underarm stains and get your clothes looking as fresh and smart as ever.
A laundry detergent like Omo Ultimate Liquid will give you great results on stain removal in a single wash, as it is specially formulated to lift 48 hour dried-in stains. (Make sure that you always read the product instructions and garment label first). If you do opt for a homemade product, test it on a small, unnoticeable area of your garment first.
How to Remove Yellow Underarm Stains
First, take a look at your laundry detergent. Yellow stains on white clothes come from the combination of proteins in sweat with the chemicals in deodorant. Modern laundry detergents are formulated to dissolve protein-based stains, so a quality product like Omo Liquid may do the job in isolation – it is formulated to be tough on stains in a single wash. If you are wondering how to remove yellow stains from clothes quickly, try rubbing a little neat liquid laundry detergent directly onto the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash as normal.
Remember: Always check the care label on your garment before attempting stain removal and follow any guidelines on your laundry detergent’s label carefully.
How to Remove Yellow Sweat Stains with Oxygen Bleach
If the method above doesn’t work, you may want to try using oxygen bleach as a pre-treatment.
Be aware, however, that while oxygen bleach is ideal for organic stains, it is not safe to use on coloured or delicate fabrics like silk or wool. As with any cleaning product, always follow the instructions on the packet, and test the bleach on a small and inconspicuous area first to be certain your fabric is robust enough.
Mix up a pre-wash solution of 1-2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach powder in a gallon of water. For old or stubborn stains, an additional 2 tablespoons of powder may be added.
Leave stained items to soak for up to an hour. Stubborn stains may be left to soak overnight in more dilute solutions.
Wash garments as normal.
This should be effective for removing yellow armpit stains with a minimum of fuss and bother.
How to Remove Yellow Stains from Clothes with Baking Soda Paste
Sweat stains can also be treated with home ingredients, with a similar method to treating sunscreen stains:
If your garment has not responded to a quality laundry detergent, and cannot be treated with bleach, the following method covers how to remove yellow sweat stains with a simple home remedy. Be aware that baking soda can be very abrasive, and you will still need to wear gloves – once again, you should test this method on a small, unnoticeable area first to be certain it is safe for your clothing.
Mix baking powder with water until you have a thick paste.
Apply the paste to the stain using a toothbrush or your gloved fingers, and leave for 20 minutes.
Wash the garment on a cold cycle with a quality laundry detergent.
Your white shirts will be back to their original brightness in no time!
Do allow your deodorant to dry properly before getting dressed.
Do not put on excess amounts of deodorant.
Do not repeatedly wear clothes that have sweat stains on them. Tackle a yellow stain as soon as you notice it.
Don’t leave sweaty clothes to linger in a pile on the floor! Wash them as soon as possible to prevent sweat from drying and forming crusty, yellow stains.