How to Get Rid of Sweat Stains on Shirts

Stain-free shirts

We all sweat, and our clothes sometimes pay the price. As sweat cools our skin, it carries away salt and other waste products from our bodies. For this reason, sweat can stain clothes in ways plain water can't. When sweat interacts with the aluminum or acids in deodorants, the impact on clothes can be even greater.

There are several methods you can try for removing sweat stains.

Things You'll Need

• Cold water
• Bowl
• Brush
• One or more of the following: ammonia, aspirin, baking soda, boric acid, cream of tartar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, owder dishwashing detergent, white vinegar

Instructions

1. Right after removing your shirt, soak the armpits and any other areas exposed to a lot of sweat in cold water. If you use commercial stain removing products such as Oxi-Clean, Spray 'n Wash or Zout, this is the time to spray your shirts with them. Rinsing your shirts soon after wearing them can help wash away loose contaminants before they have time to set in and cause stains.

2. Prepare your stain remover. There are many homemade stain removers you can try. If one doesn't work to your satisfaction, either apply it again or switch to another. If you switch, first rinse your shirt in cold water to prevent any reactions.

   Simple stain removers include:
   • Crushing three aspirins, mixing with water and adding 1 tbsp. of cream of tartar (optional) to form a paste.
   • Mixing baking soda with water to form a paste.
   • Mixing a meat tenderizer with water to form a paste. This can loosen protein bonds in sweat and other organic stains.
   • Mixing a powder dishwashing detergent with water to form a paste.
   • Using white vinegar.

   For white clothes only:
   • Mixing ammonia with an equal amount of water. Do not mix with bleach.
   • Mixing boric acid with water to form a paste.
   • Using hydrogen peroxide, either alone or mixed with baking soda.
   • Using lemon juice.

3. Apply your stain remover. For liquid stain removers, dab enough onto your shirt to thoroughly dampen the armpits and other key areas. For pastes, apply a substantial amount to stained or stain-prone areas and use a brush to rub the paste into the fabric.

4. Let the stain remover work. Hang your shirts or lay them on a flat surface. Choose a spot where they will be exposed to the air and aren't likely to be disturbed. If you used lemon juice, exposing your shirts to sunlight can enhance the stain-fighting effect. Wait 30 to 60 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

5. Rinse your shirts (or at least the armpits and other sweat-stained areas) in cold water, then wash them as you normally would.

6. Prevent future stains. When you wear deodorant or antiperspirant, do so sparingly. A thin coating will offer just as much protection as a thicker application and is less likely to cause stains. After applying it, wait for it to dry before putting on your shirt. This will also reduce the likelihood of stains.

Tips & Warnings

• Never mix ammonia and bleach, as the resulting chemical reaction will produce a highly toxic gas. In general, use only the listed combinations of ingredients to avoid causing any unwanted reactions or producing unintended effects on your shirts. Do not use stain removers that can bleach clothes with your dark shirts. Boric acid, hydrogen peroxide and chlorine bleach can damage colored fabric.

References

• How to Get Rid of Sweat Stains
• Mrs. Clean
• Cleaning Tips

Resources

• Stain Removal Tips