The best armpit stain removers can tackle tough sweat stains on clothing, and they're typically comprised of household cleaners you likely already have at home. Caused by a reaction betweenantiperspirant ingredientsand sweat, left untreated these unsightly sweat stains can eventually ruin your favorite shirts.
Read on for our guide on removing armpit stains from clothing.
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How to Remove Armpit Stains and Odor from Clothes
| Stain Type | Protein and chemical |
| Detergent Type | Heavy-duty |
| Water Temperature | Hottest water that is safe for the fabric |
| Cycle Type | Varies depending on the type of fabric |
Remove Armpit Stains Using Baking Soda
The best way to remove armpit stains on white clothing is by using baking soda. Success will depend upon how old the stains are and the fabric content of your shirt;cotton clothes whiten best.
Make the Mixture
Mix one partbaking soda, one part hydrogen peroxide, and one part water—a quarter cup of each for this mixture is enough to clean one shirt.
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Rub the Stain
Rub the mixture thoroughly into the stained area with a sponge or an old toothbrush. Allow the item to sit with the solution for up to 30 minutes.
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Wash the Shirt
Wash the shirt as usual with heavy-duty laundry detergent in the warmest water setting that is safe for the fabric.
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Tip
If you notice the beginnings of armpit yellowing but don't have time to tackle the stains right away, don't put the garment into the dryer after washing. The intense heat can set in residual stains, making them almost impossible to remove.Instead, line-dry the shirt until you have time to treat the stains.
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Remove Armpit Stains Using Oxygen Bleach
A combination of oxygen bleach—not chlorine bleach—and ammonia is another great method for removing yellow armpit stains. This should only be used on white fabrics.
Warning
Never usechlorine bleachwith ammonia, as deadly fumes can occur. This method calls for oxygen bleach.
Mix Ingredients
Find a well-ventilated room to mix ingredients. Be sure to put on rubber gloves.
Mixone partoxygen-based bleach powderand one parthousehold ammoniain a non-metal bowl. Use about twotablespoons of each ingredient per shirt.
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Rub Into Fabric
Rub the solution thoroughly into the underarm stains with a soft-bristled brush. Rub for at least one minute.
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Let Mixture Soak In
Allow the solution to work for at least 10 minutes before washing away.
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Wash the Shirt
Wash as usual with heavy-duty laundry detergentin warm or cold water, depending on the washing guidelines for the shirt.
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Remove Armpit Stains Using White Vinegar
The best way to remove armpit stains on colored clothing is by scrubbing and pre-soaking them in vinegar before washing them in cool water. While not as evident as on white shirts, armpit stains on colored shirts create odor, stiffen fabric, and eventually cause discoloration.
Pretreat the Stains
Mix a one-to-onesolution of white distilled vinegar and water. A couple of tablespoons of each should be enough to treat one shirt.
Dip a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush in the solution to thoroughly scrub the armpits.
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Mix the Ingredients
Fill a sink or large bucket with cool water. Add one cup ofwhite distilled vinegar.
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Soak the Shirts
Add the colored shirts. Allow the shirts to soak for at least 30 minutes.
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Drain the Water
Drain the vinegar/water solution from the bucket or sink.
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Wash the Shirt
Wash the shirt as usual in cool water with a heavy-duty detergent.
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How to Remove Sweat Odor
If heavy sweating or sweat odor are regular problems, baking soda can boost the cleaning power of yourlaundry detergent.Baking sodahelps regulate thepH levelin thewasher's water, and adding one-half cup toeach laundry loadhelps detergent work more effectively and reduces bacteria.
For heavy perspiration odors,use baking soda as a presoak. Dissolve one cup of baking soda in warm water.
Fill thewasher tubor a large sink with cool water and add the dissolved baking soda. Submerge stinky clothes, and allow them to soak overnight. Then wash as usual.
Additional Tips for Reducing Underarm Stains and Odor
- Switch to analuminum-free deodorant.
- After applying any type of deodorant or antiperspirant, allow it to dry before dressing to prevent rub-off on fabrics. If pressed for time, use a hairdryer for a couple of seconds (this will also eliminate deodorant markson the clothes).
- Wear a protective undershirt to prevent staining on the outer garment.
FAQ
What causes sweat stains?
Sweat stains appear on fabrics when body oils and soil combine with the ingredients of deodorants or antiperspirants embedded in the fabric. If not removed thoroughly, the stains will cause stiffness and yellowing on white clothes.
Does sweat stain permanently?
The stains can become permanent if not treated properly and allowed to build up in the fabric.
How do you remove sweat stains naturally?
Use baking soda as a gentle abrasive to remove the waxy build-up in shirt armpits and act as a deodorizer before washing the shirt. For colored shirts, presoak in vinegar and gently scrub the area with an old toothbrush to loosen debris before washing.
The 8 Best Odor Eliminators of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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Facts about Chlorine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
