Removing Underarm Stains - Sweat Stain Removal

Nothing can be more disgusting than those yellow, and dirty underarm stains on your newly purchased white shirt. As removing armpit stains can be quite challenging, it is better to prevent them in the first place. Further, the stains should be removed as soon as possible before they set on the fabric permanently.

Perspiration, as well as the use of antiperspirant products can leave those ugly yellow armpit stains on your clothes. Antiperspirant products can reduce the production of sweat. Generally, aluminum salts are added to these products to make them more effective.

This particular ingredient reacts with the salts present in our sweat, and as a result, we get those nasty armpit stains on our garments. Gradually, the various ingredients of the antiperspirant products are absorbed by the fabric, which make these stains more stubborn. Therefore, it is important to remove these stains immediately.

If the stains are not very prominent, you can try a detergent, preferably an oxygen-based one for removing them. After washing, dry your clothes in the sun, as sunlight helps fade such stains. However, make sure that your garment or shirt is washable. If only dry cleaning is recommended by the manufacturer, then washing is not an option for removing such armpit stains.

For removing sweat stains, which are really stubborn, you would need more than just a simple detergent. Baking soda is an effective product for this purpose. You can apply some baking soda on the area, and let it stay for about half an hour. Use a soft brush to gently rub the area, and then rinse it off with warm or cold water. Besides removing stains, baking soda helps eliminate the unpleasant smell of sweat.

You can also try a solution of baking soda, peroxide, and water, mixed in equal parts. Apply the solution on the area, leave it for about 20 to 30 minutes, and then rub with a soft brush. Now rinse it off with warm or cold water. But do not use hot water for removing stains, as it causes the stains to set on the fabric. Be sure to try this solution on an inconspicuous area of the garment, just to make sure that it does not cause any damage to the fabric or the color. A paste of aspirin and water can also be used to remove armpit stains.

Even lemon juice can be used for underarm stain removal. It can make the stains lighter, and if you dry the clothes in sunlight after using lemon juice, it can help remove the stains completely. Vinegar can also be used to remove such stains. Leave the vinegar on the cloth for 20 to 30 minutes, and then wash it with cold or warm water.

Many people recommend the use of bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia for underarm stain removal. But it is advisable to take appropriate precautions while applying such substances, as they can fade the color and cause significant damage to the fabric, especially if it is made of delicate and expensive fibers.

Just make sure that you clean these stubborn stains at the earliest before they set on the fabric. Try to prevent such stains by wearing an undershirt, or using an aluminum-free antiperspirant or deodorant. Lastly, do not iron stained clothes, as this will set the stains on the fabric, and make them more difficult to remove.