Hot weather brings on the sweat. And when we start to sweat, we have to deal with sweat stains! Blech!
Sweat stains on clothes are not only unsightly, but they can also be rather odorific as well. Don’t toss your favorite shirt because of ugly armpit stains, though! There are a few ways to get rid of armpit stains, so it can probably be saved.
Now, onto the different ways to remove sweat stains!
1. Baking Soda + Water
- Make a thick paste of baking soda and water.
- Spread it on a sweat stain and allow the paste to dry.
- Wash in cold water and hang to dry.
2. Peroxide + Water
- Make a solution of peroxide and water.
- Soak the sweat stain in the solution for 30 minutes.
- Wash in cold water and hang to dry.
3. Baking Soda + Peroxide
- Make a paste of baking soda and peroxide.
- Spread on the sweat stain and allow the paste to dry.
- Let it sit for an hour or two.
- Wash in cold water and hang to dry.
4. White Vinegar + Water
- Mix one part water with one part white vinegar.
- Soak the sweat stain for a few hours.
- Wash in cold water and hang to dry.
5. Aspirin + Water
- Crush several aspirin tablets and make a paste with water.
- Spread on the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Wash in cold water and hang to dry.
6. Lemon Juice + Salt
- Make a paste and salt.
- Rub onto the stain.
- Wash in cold water and hang to dry.
A Few Tips to Remove a Sweat Stain
- Don’t use bleach. Although it seems like bleach would get rid of sweat stains in a flash, it can actually make them worse.
- Avoid heat as much as possible. Don’t try washing the garment in hot water and tossing it in the dryer. That will only set the stain and make it harder to remove.
- Scrape an armpit stain with a spoon before trying to remove it. This can help remove antiperspirant buildup, which can contribute to underarm stains on shirts.
- Rub the fabric together or scrub the sweat stain with a toothbrush. This can help lift the stain from the fabric.
- After washing, check the sweat stain. If it’s still visible, repeat the stain removal process or try another method.
- Sunlight can sometimes help bleach a sweat stain. This usually works best in conjunction with other sweat stain removal methods, particularly peroxide and lemon juice.
- Press pantiliners into the armpits of your shirts to absorb sweat on hot days to prevent sweat stains in the first place.
