How to get stains out of white clothes

It can be easy to think you’ve ruined your favourite white shirt when you notice a new and unwanted stain. However, there is no need to panic. The steps to remove brown and yellow stains on white clothes are easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get stains out of white clothes in simple steps using some common household products from your own cupboards. Read on to discover top tips and tricks.

How to get stains out of white clothes: top tips

1. Don’t bleach yellow stains.

   Avoid chlorinated bleach as this may actually darken the stain.

2. Don’t use a dark coloured cloth or towel to rub the stain.

   Dark colours could make the stain worse, especially if they accidentally lead to colour transfer.

3. If you’re unsure what kind of stain you’re dealing with don’t use hot water.

   Heat can cause protein-based stains such as blood, egg, or milk to set.

4. Don’t iron, press, or machine-dry a stained garment since heat causes stains to set.

   Instead, allow items to dry in natural sunlight.

How to remove stains from white clothes using laundry detergent

1. Add laundry detergent directly to the stain.

   Add a good-quality laundry detergent, such as Persil, to the stain. Leave the detergent on the stain for five minutes.

2. Rinse the garment using cold running water.

   Place the stain under cold running water, until you have flushed away all traces of the detergent.

   Always run the cold water from the opposite side of the fabric to the stain, to push the stain away from the fibres.

3. Wash in washing machine on a normal cycle.

   Finally, wash your clothes as normal, using a high-quality detergent such as Persil. Check the care label and follow the recommendations to wash your clothing as normal.

How to get rid of stains on white clothes using white vinegar

1. Pour white vinegar directly onto the stain.

   For a sweat stain or deodorant marks pour a bit of white vinegar directly onto the stain.

2. Gently rub the white vinegar into the stain.

   Rub the white vinegar into the stain to make sure it is entirely covered.

3. Wash on a normal wash cycle.

   With the white vinegar covering the stain, wash the garment on a normal wash cycle in the washing machine.

   Don't forget to check the care label to ensure you follow the manufacturer's advice for cleaning your item of clothing.

Three steps for removing stains out of white clothes using salt

1. Soak the garment in cold salt water.

   Let the garment soak for 3-4 hours in cold salt water.

2. Rub the stain with laundry detergent.

   Apply liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain. Gently rub the detergent into the stain with your fingers.

3. Wash in a normal wash cycle.

   With the laundry detergent directly on the stain, put in the washing machine your normal wash cycle.

How to get rid of a stain on a white shirt or other clothing using ammonia

1. Mix up an ammonia stain remover.

   To create this stain remover you need to mix a 50:50 solution of ammonia and water.

2. Use a clean cloth to dab ammonia over the stain.

   Take care to dab at the stain instead of rubbing it to avoid pushing the stain further into the clothing fibres.

3. Wash the clothing as normal.

   As with the other methods above, check the care label before washing your clothing on a normal wash cycle with your usual detergent.

How to get stains out of white clothes with hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide can be an effective stain remover for white clothes. Start by testing a small, inconspicuous area of the garment to ensure colorfastness. For fresh stains, blot the affected area with a clean cloth to remove any excess. Then, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. Gently rub the peroxide into the fabric and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse the garment with cold water and wash as usual. For older or stubborn stains, create a paste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, apply it to the stain, let it sit, and then wash as usual.

So, there you go. From liquid detergent to salt there are plenty of stain removal options if you want to get a stain out of a white shirt or other white clothes. Now you've got the stains removed, why not read our article on getting your clothes looking white again?