Getting rid of sweat stains on your favorite clothes can be super frustrating. Whether it’s those inevitable yellow rings under the armpits or stiff spots on your shirts after a long, active day, these stains can feel almost impossible to remove. In this blog, we’re sharing some tried-and-true methods to tackle sweat stains effectively. We’ll look at what causes these stains and give you tips to finally get rid of those pesky marks.
What causes sweat stains?
Having to remove sweat stains from your clothes is a sign you’ve worked hard or had a busy day, but they also happen because sweat and deodorant mix and react with your clothing’s fabric. But what’s actually in sweat that causes those annoying stains? Well, sweat is basically a mix of water, salts, proteins, and oils that your body naturally produces. Most of the time, this isn’t a big deal for your clothes if you wash them right away. It only really becomes a problem when sweat comes into contact with deodorants.
A lot of deodorants contain aluminum salts that are supposed to help you sweat less. These salts react with the proteins in your sweat and end up making yellow or white stains on your clothes. You’ll notice this especially on white shirts or light fabrics. It’s this reaction that causes those stubborn sweat stains that are tough to get rid of. Once you understand how sweat stains form, you can make better choices about how to tackle or even prevent them. In a bit, we’ll talk about some great ways to get sweat stains out of your clothes.
How do you remove sweat stains?
Step 1: Make a soaking solution
Start by making a soaking solution to loosen up those 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 the sweat residue, making it much easier to get rid of those stains.
Step 2: Apply the stain remover paste
After soaking, make a paste to tackle the sweat stains right away. In a small bowl, mix half a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Stir it together until you get a thick paste. This mix helps break down stains and removes the yellow color from the fabric.
Step 3: Scrub the sweat stain
Lay the garment flat and generously apply the paste to the stained areas. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the paste into the stains. Let the paste sit for about 20 minutes so it can work its magic.
Step 4: Into the washing machine
After the paste has soaked in, rinse the garment under cold water to remove any leftover paste. Then, wash the garment in the washing machine on the hottest setting that's still safe for the fabric, as the care label suggests. Use a gentle detergent to keep your clothes clean and fresh.
Step 5: Drying the garment
Finally, let your garment air dry instead of putting it in the dryer. Heat can set any remaining stains for good, so air drying is the safest way to make sure your clothes come out perfectly clean.
Care methods for delicate fabrics
For fabrics like silk and wool, it's important to be extra careful when removing sweat stains. Use cold water and a mild detergent such as laundry strips for wool & silk. Always test the treatment on a hidden part of the fabric first to make sure there’s no damage or discoloration. For silk and wool, it’s best to hand wash the fabric.
Safe treatment with lemon juice and oxygen bleach
Lemon juice is a natural and effective way to remove sweat stains from light-colored cotton fabrics. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water, then apply it 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 colored clothing. For just €3.89, you can order 400g Ecover oxygen bleach. Dissolve the bleach in warm water and let your clothes soak overnight before washing them as usual.
How do you remove sweat stains from specific fabrics?
- Cotton is sustainable and usually holds up well against water and various cleaning products, including white vinegar and baking soda.
- For polyester or nylon, avoid using water that's too hot, as it can damage the fibers. A cold water wash with a gentle detergent is usually all you need.
- Linen can be washed with a mild detergent and cold to lukewarm water. Avoid wringing to prevent damaging the fibers.
What do you need yes what to do if you have a sweat stain?
- Tackle sweat stains as soon as possible: the sooner you act, the easier they are to remove. Don’t let the stain dry, because it’ll be much harder to clean later.
- Go natural: Try using products like white vinegar or baking soda. They're safe for most fabrics and super effective against sweat stains.
- Check the care label: Always look at the washing instructions on your clothing label before you start treating stains. Some clothes need special care.
What do you need not what to do if you have a sweat stain?
- Avoid chlorine bleach: While it might be tempting to use chlorine bleach for stubborn stains, it can actually make the stains worse and cause yellow discoloration.
- Don't use the dryer right away: Don't put clothes with sweat stains straight into the dryer after washing. The heat from the dryer can set the stains for good. Let your clothes air dry first and check if the stains are completely gone.
- Don't rub too hard: When treating the stain, avoid rubbing too hard. This can damage the fabric and push the stain deeper into the fibers.
Getting rid of sweat stains can be a hassle, but you can often prevent them if you’re smart about it. Avoid deodorants that contain aluminum—this ingredient can react with sweat and often causes yellow stains, especially on white clothes. There are plenty of aluminum-free options out there that are much kinder to your clothes. Also, try wearing an undershirt or invest in sweat-absorbing clothing. This helps catch sweat before it reaches your outerwear and causes stains. And don’t forget to only put your clothes away when they’re completely dry. Damp clothes can lead to more sweat build-up and stains the next time you wear them.
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