Laundry Tips for Armpit Stains

You can remove armpit stains from your shirts and blouses.

Armpit stains can turn the underarms of your favorite shirt yellow and make you too embarrassed to wear it anymore. But you can remove armpit stains through a variety of methods. Some laundering techniques will make the armpit stain more prominent and permanent, rather than getting rid of it, so avoid using those techniques.

Bleach and Heat

Do not use chlorine bleach or hot water on the armpit stain. The heat from the hot water, as well as the heat from a dryer, can set the stain permanently. Chlorine bleach interacts with the proteins found in perspiration and can actually make the yellow armpit stain darker. Soak the stained area in cold water before trying any other tips.

Crushed Aspirin

Make a paste with water and 4 or 5 crushed aspirin. Brush the paste on the armpit stain, and leave it on for about an hour. The salicylic acid in the aspirin should remove the stain. Rinse the area with cold water first to remove the paste, and launder the shirt in cold water.

Boric Acid

Make a paste with 1 tbsp. of boric acid and cool water. Spread the paste on the armpit stain, and let it sit for an hour. The acid should lift the stain. Brush off the boric acid, and launder the garment in cold water.

Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners use enzymes to clean up the proteins found in sweat. Spray the armpit stain with an enzymatic cleaner, and rub the cleaner into the stain. Leave it on for as long as specified in the directions. Rinse and launder the stained area in cold water.

Baby Wipes

Use a baby wipe on the inside and outside of the armpit stain. The alcohol in the baby wipe should break down the stain. Thoroughly soak the area with the wipe, and rinse and launder the shirt with cold water.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has bleaching properties and does not contain chlorine. It removes the color from any garment, so only use it on white garments. Soak the armpit stain with 2 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide. Rub it in, and let the garment sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse out the stain, and launder the garment in cold water.

References

• Seattle USEAC: DIY--Get Rid of Underarm Stains On Shirts
• Get Rid of Things: Get Rid of Sweat Stains