Admit it, we've all faced the appearance of embarrassing underarm stains. However, you can still save your favorite shirt from being thrown away. Follow the steps below to remove stubborn yellow stains and prevent them from reappearing and ruining your clothes.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparation for Stain Removal
Step 1. Choose a stain remover
There are many ways to remove yellow stains. Whether your choice is based on a friend's opinion or because you already have the product in your closet, decide which stain remover is best suited. Choose from the following products, then see the steps for use for each product.
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- OxiClean (baking soda and hydrogen peroxide)
- Vodka
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Crushed Aspirin
Step 2. Treat the stain by soaking the shirt in cold or warm water
Wet the stain by pouring water on the shirt or dampening it with a sponge.
- Basically, stains are caused by sweat reacting with the aluminum present in most deodorants and antiperspirant products. The combination of the protein present in sweat with aluminum creates a yellow stain. Because the stain contains protein, exposure to hot water quickly makes the stain adhere easily.
- However, hot water is actually very good for removing stains. After soaking it in cold water and treating it with your preferred stain remover, it is recommended to wash it with hot water to remove any remaining dirt.
Step 3. Mix the water with the cleaning agent in a separate container
Whatever product you have chosen, to activate the cleaning agent, you must mix it with warm water. Comparison and mixing conditions for each product are listed below.
- OxiClean, vodka, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and dish soap should be mixed in a 1:1 ratio.
- Baking soda must be mixed with water in a ratio of 3:1.
- Aspirin pills must be crushed first. Take 3-4 pills, then mix them with warm water in a bowl.
Step 4. Mix until the ingredients are completely mixed with water, either in liquid or paste form
Once all the ingredients have been mixed, you will see what kind of mixture appears.
- The baking soda will make a paste.
- Vodka, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and aspirin will dissolve into a liquid. The stained shirt or area will be soaked in this mixture, so be sure to prepare a large enough container.
- OxiClean and dish soap will dissolve in water in a 1:1 ratio. However, you can also make a paste using OxiClean or a larger amount of laundry soap in a 3:1 ratio. Some people prefer a paste mixture, as it is believed to be more effective against heavier stains.
Method 2 of 4: Removing Stains with a Paste Mix
Step 1. Apply a thick paste on the stain
Make sure the stain is covered with paste before removing it.
Step 2. Scrub the paste onto the stain using a toothbrush or nail brush
You will need to reapply the paste as the clothes absorb the paste mixture. The stain will start to fade.
- While baking soda will easily remove stains, you can also try pouring vinegar on the stain as you scrub. The vinegar will bubble immediately, so be careful.
- Baking soda is alkaline while vinegar is acidic, so combining the two will result in a reaction in the form of bubbles. The abrasive nature of this reaction helps remove any remaining dirt while the bubbles will lift the stain from the shirt.
Step 3. Leave the stain for 1 hour
This will give the cleaning agent sufficient time to absorb and break down the chemicals that are causing the stain.
If the stain is very severe, leave it overnight
Step 4. Wash as usual in the hottest water safe for clothes
Some fabrics don't react well to heat, so they can shrink or fade. Check the washing instructions label on the clothes
Step 5. Repeat these steps if needed
Heavy stains do not completely fade after the first treatment. Rub the paste again on the stain, let stand and wash again until the stain is completely faded.
If using OxiClean or a laundry soap paste, try soaking heavy stains in a liquid mixture. This will increase the power to remove the stain. Follow the steps below
Method 3 of 4: Removing Stains with a Liquid Mix
Step 1. For very heavy stains, make one of the paste mixtures to use in the bath
- Mix baking soda or a larger ratio of OxiClean, laundry soap, or crushed aspirin with water to make a paste.
- Rub the paste into the stain with a toothbrush or nail brush as described above. Leave it for an hour.
Step 2. Pour the liquid mixture into a bucket or container large enough to soak the stained shirt
You only need to soak the stained part of the shirt, but you can soak the entire shirt if you like.
- For less stains, soaking may not be necessary. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray on the stained area. Spray generously and allow the solution to absorb before washing your clothes as usual.
- If you have sensitive skin, you will need to wear rubber gloves for the next steps, as cleaning agents contain strong chemicals.
- Stay away from bleach when soaking clothes, as the chemicals in bleach oxidize the color of the clothes, which can cause stains. The stain remover ingredients in this article do not contain bleach and are safe for fabrics.
Step 3. Let the clothes soak
Soaking time depends on how light or heavy the stain is. Lighter stains will only need to sit for 15-30 minutes, while heavy stains can stay for several hours, maybe even overnight.
- Watch the clothes. If the stain fades quickly, remove it from the bath. If the stain doesn't fade within an hour, leave it overnight.
- If the shirt has been stained for a long time, the stain will be more difficult to remove. Try to treat underarm stains as soon as they appear.
Step 4. Wash as usual in the hottest water safe for clothes
Some fabrics don't react well to heat, so they can shrink or fade. Check the washing instructions label on the clothes
Method 4 of 4: Prevent Stains
Step 1. Use an aluminum-free deodorant or antiperspirant product
- Basically, stains are caused by sweat reacting with the aluminum present in most deodorants and antiperspirant products. The combination of the protein present in sweat with aluminum creates a yellow stain.
- Tom's Maine brand has made aluminum-free deodorant products.
Step 2. Don't overuse deodorant or antiperspirant products
Using deodorant or antiperspirant products can cause bad stains. Try to use it sparingly. Using too much deodorant will only make it stick to your clothes and lead to heavier stains.
Step 3. Take precautions, Before wearing clothes and after washing clothes, turn the clothes
Sprinkle a generous amount of baby powder under the armpits and iron. This method is especially good for clothes made of cotton or cotton blends.
Step 4. Wear cheap undershirts
To prevent stains from forming on shirts, wear an undershirt as a barrier between sweat and clothes.
Step 5. Treat the stain every time you wash
Wash stained clothes immediately after use and treat them with a stain-removing product, such as OxiClean or Spray and Wash.
