Removing sweat stains from your favourite clothes can be frustrating. Whether it’s the inevitable yellow rings under the armpits or the stiff patches on your shirts after a busy day, these stains sometimes seem almost impossible to get rid of. In this blog, we share some proven methods to effectively treat sweat stains. We look at the causes of these stains and give you tips on how to get rid of these unpleasant marks.
What causes sweat stains?
Removing sweat stains from your clothes is a sign that you’ve worked hard or had a busy day, but they also come from a mix of sweat and deodorant reacting with the fabric of your clothing. But what exactly is in sweat that causes those annoying stains? Well, sweat is actually a mix of water, salts, proteins and oils produced by your body. Usually, this isn’t harmful to your clothes if you wash them immediately. It only becomes a real problem when sweat comes into contact with deodorants.
Many deodorants contain aluminium salts designed to help reduce sweating. These salts react with the proteins in your sweat and then create yellow or white stains on your clothes. You mainly see this on white shirts or light fabrics. It is this reaction that causes those stubborn sweat stains that are hard to remove. When you understand how sweat stains form, you can better decide how to tackle or even prevent them. Later, we’ll discuss effective ways to remove sweat stains from your clothes.
How do you remove sweat stains?
Step 1: Make a soaking solution
Start by making a soaking solution to loosen the sweat stains. Mix 2 cups of water with 1 cup of white vinegar in a bowl or bucket. Place the stained garment in this solution and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. The vinegar helps break down sweat residues and makes it easier to remove the stains.
Step 2: Apply the stain removal paste
After soaking, make a paste to directly tackle the sweat stains. In a small bowl, combine half a cup of baking soda with one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Stir until you get a thick paste. This mixture helps dissolve stains and removes the yellow colour from the fabric.
Step 3: Scrub the sweat stain
Lay the garment on a flat surface and generously apply the paste to the stained areas. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the paste into the stains. Leave the paste to work for about 20 minutes.
Step 4: In the washing machine
After the paste has set, rinse the garment under cold water to remove any paste residue. Then wash the garment in the washing machine at the hottest setting safe for the fabric, as indicated on the care label. Use a gentle detergent to clean and freshen your clothes.
Step 5: Drying the garment
Finally, hang the garment to air dry instead of using a tumble dryer. Heat can set any remaining stains permanently, so air drying is the safest way to ensure your clothes are completely clean.
Treatment methods for delicate fabrics
For fabrics like silk and wool, it’s important to be very gentle when removing sweat stains. Use cold water and a mild detergent such as laundry sheets for wool & silk. Always test the treatment first on an inconspicuous part of the fabric to ensure no damage or discolouration occurs. For silk and wool, hand washing the fabric is best.
Safe treatment with lemon juice and oxygen bleach
Lemon juice is natural and effective for removing sweat stains on light-coloured cotton fabrics. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water and apply this to the stain. Let the mixture sit for an hour before rinsing and washing your clothes as usual. Oxygen bleach is better than chlorine bleach and can be used for both white and coloured clothing. For €3.89, you can order 400g Ecover oxygen bleach. Dissolve the bleach in warm water and soak the clothing overnight before washing as usual.
How to remove sweat stains on specific fabrics?
- Cotton is durable and usually tolerates water and various cleaning products well, including white vinegar and baking soda.
- For polyester or nylon, avoid using water that is too hot as it can damage the fibres. A cold water wash with a mild detergent is usually sufficient.
- Linen can be washed with a mild detergent and cold to lukewarm water. Avoid wringing to prevent damage to the fibres.
What you should do if you have a sweat stain?
- Address sweat stains as quickly as possible: The sooner you act, the easier they are to remove. Don’t let the stain dry, as it becomes much harder to clean.
- Use natural remedies: Try natural products like white vinegar or baking soda. These are safe for most fabrics and effective against sweat stains.
- Check the care label: Always look at the washing instructions on your clothing label before treating stains. Some garments require special care.
What you should not do if you have a sweat stain?
- Avoid chlorine bleach: Although tempting to use for stubborn stains, chlorine bleach can actually worsen stains and cause yellow discolouration.
- Do not use the dryer immediately: Do not put clothes with sweat stains straight into the dryer after washing. The heat can set the stains permanently. Air dry the garment and check if the stains are completely removed.
- Do not rub too hard: When treating the stain, avoid rubbing too vigorously. This can damage the fabric and push the stain deeper into the fibres.
Removing sweat stains is annoying, but you can often prevent them if you’re smart. Avoid deodorants containing aluminium. This substance can react with sweat and often causes yellow stains, especially on white clothing. There are many aluminium-free options available that are gentler on your clothes. Also, wear an undershirt or invest in clothing that absorbs sweat. This helps to keep the sweat
