Outsmart Sweat Stains: How To Remove Sweat Stains And Prevent Future Ones

Dealing with stubborn sweat stains can be incredibly frustrating, whether they’re due to menopause, excessive sweating or simply life in general. In fact, over half of U.S. adults¹ admit they'd feel embarrassed or ""very embarrassed"" by visible underarm sweat stains.

But fear not – we’ve put together the best tips on how to remove even the toughest dried-in sweat stains. Plus, we’ve listed the best strategies to help stop sweat stains cropping up in the first place and keep your clothes looking their best for longer.

Let's set the record straight: sweat, in its natural form, is colorless and isn't solely responsible for causing body odor or deodorant marks. Sweat marks form when the salt, proteins, and oils in your sweat make contact with your clothes and dry. The good news is that if you act fast, this mark usually disappears with a simple machine wash.

Are they permanent?

It depends. Things like fabric type, how long the stain has been hanging around, and the method you use to clean it can influence whether a sweat stain becomes a temporary inconvenience or a lasting issue.

If you let your laundry slide for a few days, the sweat patches on your clothes can dry up, leaving a residue of sweat and antiperspirant. When left to linger, the active aluminum compound in your antiperspirant combines with the salt in your sweat, resulting in those unwelcome yellow sweat stains.

But don’t let that put you off using antiperspirants – you can find products designed specifically to ward off marks and sweat stains on your clothes, like those in our Degree® UltraClear rangeOpens in a new window. Picture this: the freedom to choose between black or white clothes without worry. These antiperspirant deodorants offer sweat protection for you and your clothes, fighting against white marks on black clothes and yellow stains on white.

Take the first step to preventing sweat stains:

For women: Degree® UltraClear Black+White Pure Rain Antiperspirant Deodorant.

Not only does this handy stick help you feel cool, fresh, and protected from both sweat and odor for up to 72 hours, but it also fights against those pesky white and black marks on your clothing. Plus, its light and freshly floral fragrance will help you face any day with confidence.

For men: Degree® Men UltraClear Black + White Fresh Antiperspirant Deodorant

Feel fresh all day and avoid deodorant stains with this powerful stick. With an aromatic cedarwood, orange and pineapple scent, it provides up to 72 hours of sweat and odor protection and fights against black and white marks on clothes. Just glide and get moving.

Both antiperspirants are powered by our MotionSense® technology, which releases fragrance as you move. How? By dispersing microcapsules onto your skin that break when you move and release fragrance.

Now you know what you’re up against, it’s time to show both fresh and dried-in sweat stains who’s boss.

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How to remove fresh sweat stains

Fresh sweat stains are easy to remove when you act fast. Here are two key rules to follow:

1. Don’t let it dry and “set”

Remember, the sooner you address the stain, the easier it is to remove; a quick wash often does the trick. Our suggestion? Stay on top of your laundry routine, address the issue promptly, and if that doesn’t work, move on to effective stain-removal techniques (keep scrolling for top tips).

Also, make sure you follow your clothes' care instructions and use stain removal methods that are suitable for them.

2. Avoid ironing over a sweat stain or sweat patch

Have you ever thought about ironing a sweat stain or patch for a quick solution? Unfortunately, this can lead to more harm. Do yourself and your clothes a favor by avoiding ironing over a sweat stain or patch.

This action can set the stain, making it more challenging to remove. The heat from the iron might cause the proteins and minerals in the sweat to bond with the fabric fibers, making the mark more stubborn.

Get rid of sweat stains with these three top tips:

1. Soak before washing

To conquer those stubborn set-in sweat stains, use a pre-treatment. The American Cleaning Institute recommends pretreating light stains with liquid laundry detergent before washing. For heavy stains, they advise pretreating with prewash stain remover, allowing it to stand for 5-10 minutes before washing with an oxygen bleach.²

2. Biological washing powder

Biological washing powder is a laundry superhero. It contains enzymes that tackle stains, especially those from sweat, making your detergent work even better in keeping clothes clean. Biological washing powder is usually available in supermarkets. Just check the label for compatibility.

3. Getting sweat stains out of delicate fabrics

Consider professional dry cleaning for intricate or valuable items.

Read next: Banish Armpit Smell: Tips for Odor-Free Pits

Here are four practical techniques to help prevent sweat stains and keep your favorite clothes looking newer for longer.

1. Opt for loose-fitting and natural fabrics

Choose natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, which allow better air circulation and help your body stay cooler. Steer clear of synthetic materials that can trap heat and moisture, such as polyester and nylon.

2. Choose the right underarm armor

Choose a high-quality antiperspirant deodorant to protect you from sweat and odor. Remember to wait a few seconds to let it dry, before throwing on your shirt. Better yet, go for a 'dry on application' aerosol for a lightning-fast, stain-free routine something like:

For women: Degree® UltraClear Black+White Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray

For men: Degree® UltraClear Black+White Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray

They dry quickly, fight against deodorant marks, and keep you protected from sweat and odor for up to 72 hours.

3. Go easy on the antiperspirant

Keep the antiperspirant game strong but don’t overdo it. A little goes a long way, and too much can lead to an unwanted build-up and cause those pesky yellow marks.

4. Amp up your defense with maximum protection

Need a bit more? Level up your game with a maximum-protection antiperspirant like Degree Clinical Protection. Stay fresh, stay active, and say goodbye to stubborn sweat stains, with prescription wetness protection:

For women: Degree® Summer Strength Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant

For men: Degree® Clean Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant

Combatting sweat stains involves proactive prevention through breathable fabrics and choosing the right deodorant antiperspirant. If your clothes have stubborn sweat stains already, you can try strategic stain removal techniques like soaking, biological washing powders, and oxygen bleach. Adapting these methods based on fabric types ensures effective stain removal while preserving the integrity of clothing.

References

1. Sweat solutions. International hyperhydrosis society. 2008.Opens in a new window
2. Stain removal guide. American Cleaning InstituteOpens in a new window