How to Remove Underarm Stains and Odor from Clothes
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The Spruce
Underarm sweat stains are obvious and embarrassing. Unfortunately, even if you manage to keep your cool next time, the stains and odor can remain in the fabric if you don't wash shirts correctly. Add just a bit of warmth, and the odor comes right back.
Armpit stains on clothes are caused by a reaction involving antiperspirant ingredients and your sweat. Most antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds to reduce wetness. It is the aluminum that causes the build-up and yellowing on white shirts. The stains don’t appear overnight, but without proper washing after each wear, the stains will start to look yellow on white shirts.
Preventing Armpit Stains
There are two ways to prevent armpit stains on your shirts, and both have to do with the way you use deodorant. Switching to an aluminum-free deodorant can help. In addition, 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 marks on the clothes).
Reducing Armpit Odor
If you notice a lingering odor after washing, baking soda can boost the cleaning power of your laundry detergent. Baking soda helps regulate the pH level in the washer's water and adding one-half cup to each laundry load helps detergent work more effectively and reduces bacteria.
For heavy perspiration odors, use baking soda as a presoak. Dissolve one cup of baking soda in some warm water. Fill the washer tub or a large sink with cool water and add the dissolved baking soda. Submerge stinky clothes and allow them to soak overnight and then wash as usual.
Watch Now: How to Remove Underarm Stains and Odor From Clothes
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
For All Methods
- Soft bristle brush
- Washing machine
- Non-metal mixing bowl
- Rubber gloves
Materials
Baking Soda Method
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
- Water
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Oxygen Bleach Method
- 2 tablespoons oxygen-based bleach powder
- 2 tablespoons household ammonia
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
White Vinegar Method
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- Water
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
For Collar and Cuffs
- Solvent-based stain remover
- Laundry soap bar
- Water
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Instructions
Baking Soda Method for Yellow Stains
Baking soda often works wonders at getting the yellow hue out of shirts and restoring them to their original bright white color.
Be certain that your shirt is washable. If it says dry clean only, believe the tag. Dry clean after each wear to prevent armpit yellowing. If your shirt is white and washable, there are two methods for removing the yellow stains and stiffness. Success will depend upon how old the stains are and the fabric content of your shirt; cotton clothes whiten best.
If you notice the beginnings of yellow stains, stop tossing the shirt in the dryer until you can treat the stains. The heat can set in residual stains making them almost impossible to remove. Dry white shirts in the sun to increase the whiteness.
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Make the Mixture
Mix one part baking soda, one part hydrogen peroxide, and one part water. (A quarter cup of each for this mixture cleans one shirt.)
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
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Rub
Rub the mixture onto the stained area, using a sponge or an old toothbrush. Alternatively, you can sponge the stain with undiluted white vinegar. Allow the item to sit with the solution for up to 30 minutes.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
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Wash
Wash as usual with heavy-duty laundry detergent in warm or cold water.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Oxygen Bleach Method for Yellow Stains
Aside from baking soda, a combination of oxygen bleach and ammonia is another great method for removing yellow armpit stains. This should only be used on white fabrics, since it has the same bleaching action as hair bleach. It should also be a last resort, since it can weaken fabrics.
Warning
Never use chlorine bleach with ammonia, as deadly fumes can occur.
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Mix Ingredients
Find a well-ventilated room to mix ingredients. Be sure to put on rubber gloves.
Mix one part oxygen-based bleach (OxiClean, Nellie's All-Natural Oxygen Brightener, or OXO Brite) and one part household ammonia in a non-metal bowl. (Use about two tablespoons of each ingredient per shirt.)
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
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Rub Into Fabric
Rub the solution into stains with a soft-bristled brush 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
Wash as usual with heavy-duty laundry detergent in warm or cold water.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
White Vinegar Method for Colored Shirts
Underarm stains are very evident on white shirts because the fabric turns yellow. While they may not be as apparent on dark-colored shirts, they are there. The underarm stains from deodorant and body soil trap bacteria, cause odor, stiffness, and discoloration of the fabric. If the deodorant build-up has left the fabric stiff and a heavy sweat odor is present, take the following steps.
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Pretreat
Mix a one-to-one solution of white distilled vinegar and water. Use a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the armpits before soaking.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
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Mix Ingredients
Fill a washing machine or large bucket with cool water. Add one cup of white distilled vinegar.
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Soak Shirts
Add the colored shirts. Allow shirts to soak for at least 30 minutes.
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Drain
Drain the vinegar/water solution.
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Wash
Wash as usual in cool water with a heavy-duty detergent.
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Method for Collar and Cuff Stains
Similar to armpit stains, stains on collars or cuffs can be difficult to remove thanks to a combination of sweat, body oil, and daily soil. The key to keeping collars clean is to tackle the oily stains after every shirt wearing.
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Pretreat
Pre-treat stained areas using a solvent-based stain removal product, or a laundry soap bar like Fels-Naptha or Zote, or a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent like Tide or Persil.
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Brush in Stain Remover
Work the stain remover into the fabric with a soft-bristled brush. Allow the stain remover to work at least 10 minutes before washing.
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Wash
Wash the shirt as usual in the highest water temperature appropriate for the fabric using the recommended amount of heavy-duty detergent.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo
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Repeat if Necessary
Inspect the clothes before drying at high heat. If stains remain, do not dry. Repeat treatment if necessary.
The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo