This is how you get yellow stains out of white clothes.

Can't get yellow stains out of white clothes? You are not the only one. If you wear a white shirt, for example, it is easy to get yellow stains along your collar or at your armpits. That happens because sweat and deodorant soak into the fabric and this is hard to clean. We share a method that really works, by using white laundry sheets and colour boosters. Read how to get your white clothes bright white again and keep them looking good longer!

How do I get yellow stains in my white clothes?

Why are there yellow stains in my white clothes? This can come from 4 things:

1. Sweat and deodorant

The most common culprits for yellow stains are sweat and deodorants. Sweat itself is colourless, but the chemical reaction between sweat and the aluminium compounds in many deodorants often causes yellow stains. These stains are especially visible on the underarm areas of shirts and blouses.

2. Body oils and fats

Besides sweat, natural oils and fats from your skin can also contribute to yellow stains. These substances can build up in the fabric and cause discolouration over time.

3. Long storage

Sometimes yellow stains appear when white clothes are stored too long without being cleaned in between. Fabrics such as linen and cotton can yellow if they are not washed regularly and stored well.

4. Chemical reactions with bleach

Ironically, some attempts to make clothes whiter can actually cause stains. Using bleach incorrectly or combining it with other chemicals in detergents can result in yellow stains.

How do you avoid yellow stains?

Prevention is better than cure, especially with yellow stains in white clothes. Here are some simple tips to keep your white shirts bright white:

Choose the right deodorant

Avoid deodorants that contain aluminium. These can cause yellow stains when they react with sweat. Look for brands that specifically say they do not leave yellow stains.

Wash white clothes right after wearing

Do not let sweat and dirt soak in. By washing your white clothes quickly, you greatly reduce the chance of permanent stains.

Use a stain remover

Treat areas such as armpits and collars with a stain remover before you put the clothes in the washing machine. This helps stop a stain developing there.

Do not dry clothes in direct sunlight

Although sunlight can bleach clothes naturally, it can sometimes also contribute to white fabrics yellowing. Prefer to dry your white clothes in the shade or indoors.

Treating yellow stains

If you have yellow stains on your white clothes, follow these steps with the white laundry sheets and a colour booster.

Step 1: Pretreatment

Before you start the washing machine, pretreat the yellow stains. Make a paste from a small piece of white laundry sheet and a little water. Apply this paste directly to the stain. Leave it to work for about 30 minutes to soak the stains loose.

Step 2: Using white laundry sheets

Put your white clothes in the washing machine and add a laundry sheet made for whites, depending on how much laundry you have and how dirty it is. These laundry sheets are designed to get white clothes brilliantly clean and also help remove yellow stains.

Step 3: Using the colour booster

For extra whiteness you can add a colour booster to your wash. These boosters are made to give white clothes their brightness back and prevent new discolouration. Place a colour booster sheet with the laundry in the drum for the best result.

Step 4: Wash at the right temperature

Wash your clothes at the recommended temperature, usually between 40 °C and 60 °C, to make sure all remnants of the stain removers and the yellow stains themselves are thoroughly washed out.

Extra tips

Besides using white laundry sheets and colour boosters, here are some extra tips that help keep your white clothes bright:

• Pretreat: Always pretreat stains. A little liquid detergent or a paste of water and washing powder applied directly to the stain can work wonders.

• Separate the laundry: Always wash white clothes separately from coloured clothes to prevent discolouration.

• Wash regularly: Even if white clothes are not visibly dirty, washing them regularly helps prevent yellowing in the long term.

• Natural bleaching: Now and then you can soak white clothes in a mix of water and a little lemon juice or baking soda before you wash them. This works as a natural bleach and freshens the fabric.

• Drying in the sun: Drying white clothes in direct sunlight can help bleach stains and freshen the clothes.

By taking care of your whites regularly, you can enjoy bright white clothes for longer. Our white laundry sheets and colour boosters offer a good solution for those stubborn yellow stains. Remember, it is best to avoid yellow stains and treat them correctly. 

Want more tips or do you have specific questions about stain removal? Feel free to get in touch or leave a comment.