How to Remove Perspiration Stains From White Cotton Shirts

Sing with me now, “Perspiration stains on white cotton shirts; these are a few of my least favorite things.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if perspiration stains were as easy to remove as they are to sing about? As my grandmother use to say, “The world is divided into two groups; those looking for a method to remove perspiration stains and those who have a method.” While it isn’t as easy as a song, there is one way to attack those stains.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Small bowl or cup
• Clean soft toothbrush
• White towel

1. Spread the white towel on a flat surface, like a kitchen or bathroom counter. You can also put the towel on top of the clothes washer. Just make sure the surface is not one that will be damaged by bleach.

2. Sprinkle some baking soda into the small bowl. Pour a little hydrogen peroxide into it. Mix with the toothbrush, until it begins to form a soft paste. Add more baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, if needed, to get the right consistency.

3. Spread the white cotton shirt on top of the white towel. Scoop some of the soda/peroxide paste with the toothbrush and brush it on the stain, spreading into a thin layer of paste.

4. Allow the soda/peroxide paste to sit for half an hour. Launder the shirt as usual, by itself or with other white cotton shirts.

Tips & Warnings

• This works on 100% white cotton shirts. Test for color fastness in an inconspicuous spot with any other color or material.
• Keep this paste out of the reach of small children.

[BadMaxx]

on 6/25/2009 Well gave this a shot and must say F for FAIL 100%. And OxyClean also an F.
I have tried ammonia, vinegar, this hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste, and now OxyClean. None of which have made any noticible difference. Unfortunately others who have mentioned they would do a follow-up have not done so. I decided I would so no one else needs to waste hours trying these "home remedies".

I will say perhaps one or more of these remedies may work for some people? Or providing you remove the shirt at first sign of perspiration and immediately try the remedy. Other than that I have yet to see anything work.
Next up crushed Asprin paste made with crushed asprin and water. If it works I'll do a follow-up if not, assume it also does not work.

[morgana46]

on 4/27/2008 Wow, I can't wait to try this. My husband's body chemistry is such that the combination of his sweat and antiperspirant stains the underarms of his white cotton undershirts yellow AND makes them stiff and yucky! I tried a special commercial product and it didn't work. I hope this simple method does, and after I try it, I'll let the community know and rate this article. Thanks, eHow!

[Fire2007]

on 4/27/2008 I have another good idea,I tried,it's effective.
First,make sure a big sun in the sky that day.
Secondly,daub white soap on your white shirt,special on collapsible and cuff.
Then,put your daubed shirt in a transparent polybag.
The important step,put the polybag under the strong sunlight,about 30-60 minutes.
Last,take out the tepid shirt from polybag,wash it to clean.
That's all.Have a try now *^_^*

[GWPegasus]

on 4/25/2008 This may be good, but we've found that OxyClean (and we don't own stock or sell it) seems to be a 'wonder cure' for cleaning almost anything. We had an old --- and I mean OLD --- christening gown that had gone past 'yellow'. Previous attempts to find the 'white' were miserable failures. We tried OxyClean and it now looks like it's almost new. May be worth a try for perspiration stains, too.