How To Remove Sweat And Perspiration Stains From White Clothes

If you've been scouring the internet for tips on how to remove perspiration stains from a white shirt, hoping to restore a beloved garment now marred by sweat marks, don't worry. We're here to help. In this article, we'll explore the causes of sweat stains on white clothes and provide easy solutions to remove them, so your white clothes are revived to their former pristine glory.

What’s causing marks and yellow sweat stains on your clothes?

Ever wondered why your favorite shirts seem to fall prey to those pesky yellow sweat stains? It's something many of us can relate to, particularly on warmer days when we're active. While the culprits behind these stains can vary, sweat stains are normal and quite common.

Our sweat can be a major player in staining our clothes. Then, there's the residue from our trusty antiperspirants – the aluminum compounds they contain team up with sweat to form those not-so-charming yellow marks on white clothes.

Top tips on how to remove perspiration stains from a white shirt & other white clothing

When it comes to banishing perspiration stains from your favorite white shirt or clothing, acting fast, applying appropriate pre-treatments and adding oxygen bleach is key.

For fresh yellow stains, the American Cleaning Institute recommends the following steps:¹

1. Act quickly

Don't procrastinate on your laundry duties; deal with sweaty clothes pronto to stop them from turning into stains and sticking around.

2. Pre-treat

If the stain is light, pre-treat it with laundry detergent. If it’s heavier, use a prewash stain remover instead. Leave them on for 5 to 10 minutes before washing.

Always check care labels and perform a small test before applying any solution to ensure it won’t harm the fabric.

3. Add some oxygen bleach

Before you put your clothes to wash, add oxygen bleach – according to the manufacturer’s instructions – and launder. Avoid using chlorine bleach on sweat stains as it can react with sweat stains and give them a yellow tint.²

Other things to consider

1. Make sure you only wash white clothes with other white clothes – you don’t want any bright or dark colors potentially making the stain worse.
   
2. Be patient and pretreat your stains before washing.
   
3. Always follow care label instructions to avoid shrinking or ruining your clothes.
   Need to do the same for your colored clothes? Check out our article on how to remove deodorant buildup from your colored clothes.

How do you get old armpit stains out of white shirts?

1. Combine a powdered oxygen bleach with a little hot water until you have a thick, spreadable paste – rub this onto the stain
   
2. Cover with plastic wrap – so the paste doesn't dry out – and let it sit in a warm room for a minimum of 8 hours
   
3. Wash as normal (with light colors) and allow to air dry
   
4. If it’s worked – hurrah! If not, keep repeating this treatment until they do

Read our hands-on guide on how to get sweat stains out of sheets here.

How to prevent sweat stains on your white clothes

- Consider wearing undershirts or garment shields to create a barrier between your body and the clothing.

- Opt for antiperspirants formulated to help fight against yellow marks happening in the first place, like those from our UltraClear range (they also don’t leave any pesky white marks on black clothes!):

For women: Try UltraClear Black+White Pure Clean Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray

For men: Try UltraClear Black+White Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray

- When selecting fabrics, opt for breathable materials like cotton (or moisture-wicking polyester clothes on gym days or whenever you're gearing up for a sweat session) as much as possible to enhance ventilation.

- Keeping good personal hygiene is paramount; wash white clothes promptly after wear.

Now that you've mastered the art of handling those pesky yellow stains, sweat stains are no longer a cause for concern. For more sweat stain advice, read our in-depth guide on how to prevent sweat stains.

References:

1. Stain removal guide. American Cleaning Institute.
2. Buiano M. The right way to remove sweat stains from your clothes. Martha Stewart. 2023.
3. Vanderweide Z. Pit stains on your white tee? Don’t sweat it. We can help. Wirecutter by The New York Times. 2023.