Sweat Stains

Hi A.,
I had that same problem with some of my shirts and pretty much all of my husband's shirts. When I was in college I took a textile class and I asked the teacher about it. She told me that the sweat actually created a chemical reaction within the cotton fibers that couldn't ever really be fixed. She said that not everyone has the type of sweat that does this, but that many people do. Wierd, huh? She did say that certain products could "mask" it though. I've tried adding OxyClean in with my whites and it helps a little, but the arm pits of the shirts never look as white as the rest of the shirt. And it seems like the next time my husband wears the shirt, it goes right back to looking yucky. Probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but maybe you all have the same sweat as my husband and I (what a thing to have in common!) Anyhow, good luck!

I have the same problem with white shirts. I got inspired by this thread and tried the white vinegar but it didn't work. I think I'll try the baking soda next or perhaps aspirin. I have had some success with simply using Shout before. I may go back to that. Good luck and please post back if you have any success!

Dissolve 8-10 aspirin tablets to 1 cup warm water then saturate the underarm area of the garment. Allow to soak for 30 min then launder as usual.
From The Queen of Clean book by Linda Cobb

i highly recommend the bleach pen.

I use vinegar for smell and Nature Bright by Shaklee. Will even take out formula stains out of baby clothes.

I have the same problem with my husband's white shirts but have not found anything that helps with that. What I do after I wash a load of whites with bleach is was either colored dish cloths or bathtowels that only you see. They tend not to pick up the bleach as much as the colored clothes. I have done the same thing in the past so now I have to wash in a certain order. I wash the colored clothes first, then jeans, then whites, then towels. Sorry I could not help with the white shirts but I will check back for ideas on that one.

Glad to hear that I am not the only one with this problem. My husband complains that the necklines around his tshirts look bad - my suggestion was - hey stop sweating then, lol. He did not take that very well. So, rather than spending lots of money on new tshirts all the time - he prefers the expensive ones of course - I am willing to try any solution in the wash - I've tried the bleaching - no luck. I've added the Iron Out to my grocery list - hope it works. Thanks and Good Luck.

You can try the vinegar and in the wash water and also in the rinse water and add some table salt. My mom said her Mom did that with my gramps navy shirts and got them white.

Good Luck

You can also try the stain sticks.

Wash with borax added to the water or try vinegar

Have you heard of Shaklee's Get Clean Nature Bright? It's a great, non-toxic alternative to bleach...can also be used to brighten colors! It's awesome and safe to use with children b/c it's non-toxic. It's concentrated too so it lasts a long time. I would be happy to send a link if you want to check it out?

M. :)

I have your solution! Use Iron-Out, it will be with drain cleaners in the store. I know, sounds bad! It really works, promise! Deal is though, whatever you are washing in that load needs to be totally white. It will take the color out of most everything. Instructions for washing are on the back, it smells bad, but works. Double rinse. Good luck!

Hi A.:
Sounds like you got the answers that you needed for the sweat stains. I was going to offer up a trick that I do when I do use bleach (if you choose to go back to using it). After I put the bleach in the bleach thing in the washing machine, I put 3-4 cups of water in right after it. This seems to get the bleach out of the lines. Since I have started doing that I haven't gotten bleach on my next load. Good luck!

Ive never tried this but they say throwing a single tablet of Aspirin in the wash works great at taking those sweat stains out!!! Good luck!

Hi again A., We're all in the same boat .. Do not like Laundry lol * reminds me I have cloths to fold downstairs...lol * I have used a paste of baking soda & white vinegar, it worked pretty good. I have also used simple green, and even went to a gift shop in a Dr. Clinic and bought some of the stuff they said Dr. use to remove blood and stuff. Don't waste your $$ with that one. I let it set for 30 minutes before washing, nothing changed, stain still there just a tad bit lighter.
My Hubby has the stained underarms So he must be related to Lynsey and her hubby too ;)

Best things that work for me is just things I think up to try. Like the Baking Soda and Vinegar, it seems to do better then things I have bought. I do use oxyclean with my loads to.

Good Luck
K. Nana of 5
Tata!! Dang it, now I have to fold those cloths I just remembered.. folding UGH :)

Have you tried Oxyclean? I tend to like the Baby formula more since it seems to be concentrated more on tuff stains like baby spit and I don't notice it fading my clothes as much as the regular Oxclean...

Also, I HATE bleach but I LOVE the Clorex Bleach pens! I've never had one of those go wrong and you can completely control where it goes.

I feel your pain!! Those stains are so stubborn. I bought my husband a deodorant/anti-perspirant that promises no white residue and no yellow stains. It is Right Guard Xtreme stealth solid. Now, my husband has a very sensitive smell and, even though I thought he would be ok with this one, he doesn't like how it smells. I think it is fine, but, it's his armpit. so, needless to say, I didn't get to see if it actually worked. But, if your husband isn't picky, you may want to give it a try. I for one, am going to get the iron-out and put some dial in my shower. I am so glad you asked this question! Thanks!
Chris

Try soaking them in oxy clean.

Try soaking the stain in white vinegar for a few minutes then washing like normal.