How to Prevent Sweat Stains on Shirts

So you have a fresh hair cut, your tie in place and your suit pants always perfectly tailored. No matter how together you are, sweat stains can ruin an otherwise flawlessly professional look. It’s not just the male wardrobe that this plagues. A women’s expensive blouse can easily become a victim to a sweat stain the dry cleaner can’t get out. Rather that putting so mush elbow work into scrubbing out a stubborn sweat stain, you can actually prevent the stains altogether.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Soak your shirts in cold water as soon as you take them off. Do this even if you don’t see a sweat stain developing. The cold water will neutralize the stain-causing acids that may still be penetrating the fabric.

2. Use a stain-fighting laundry stick on the armpits of your shirts before washing.

3. Apply deodorant in a thin layer. Use a stronger strength antiperspirant if using less of the stick makes you feel self conscious. Laying it on thick isn’t necessarily more effective, and it also ups the chances that you’ll get those chemicals that actually cause stains--like acids and aluminum salts--on your clothes.

4. Let your deodorant completely dry before getting dressed. Running out of the house and quickly applying your deodorant in the car is an almost sure way to end up with stained clothing by the end of the day.

5. Wash your clothes shortly after wearing them in possible. If you keep no top of your laundry, there's a much less chance of stains having the opportunity to set in.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't wear a business suit jacket all day if you can help it. You'll sweat more with a lot of unnecessary layers. Try to relax once you're at your desk.