How to remove yellow armpit stains from white clothing

Several years ago, both of my youngest boys joined the basketball “league” at our church. I was happy that they were both having a great time playing, but their laundry was suddenly giving me a headache!

After running around and getting all sweaty, their white undershirts took on yellow sweat stains at the armpits that just wouldn’t budge, no matter what I tried! I even tried pouring straight bleach on the stains at one point, and still, those stains stayed put. But I was determined to find a solution to those stubborn stains!

After scouring the internet for hours, I came across the following method. And to my surprise, it worked like a charm! The secret is the combination of grease-cutting dish soap and oxygen-powered hydrogen peroxide. It’s able to cut through the greasy residue and dissolve the organic compounds from the sweat, so that a regular laundry cycle can lift the stain right out. Here’s how it works!

Related: Removing Blood Stains Easily with Hydrogen Peroxide

How To Remove Sweat Stains (& Other Stubborn Stains)

You’ll need:

• Dawn dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Scrub brush or toothbrush

Directions:

Combine 1 part Dawn dish soap and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Stir to combine.

Apply the soap and peroxide mixture to the stain(s), and sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the area.

Use a laundry scrub brush or an old toothbrush to work the Dawn, peroxide, and baking soda into the fibers of the shirt. (Make sure to clean an area slightly bigger than the actual stain so you don’t accidentally miss any of it.)

After scrubbing, let the clothing sit for at least an hour or so, and then launder as usual. I accidentally let this white shirt sit for an entire weekend before washing because I forgot about it, but it was completely fine and came out of the wash looking brand new!

I’ve also tested this method on stains on dark shirts, and in my experience it works just as well as it does on lighter shirts. (On the dark shirts I have tried this on, I haven’t let them sit for longer than a few hours, so I can’t say for sure that it wouldn’t cause fading if left for a few days. If anybody tries it, let me know how it goes!)

Removing Armpit Stains (Step by Step)

The secret to this cleaning trick is the combination of grease-cutting dish soap and oxygen-powered hydrogen peroxide. It’s able to cut through the greasy residue and dissolve the organic compounds from the sweat, so that a regular laundry cycle can lift the stain right out!

Prep Time 5 mins

Active Time 1 hr

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

• Scrub Brush

• Toothbrush

• Mixing Bowl

• 1/2 cup dawn dish soap
• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide

How To Remove Sweat Stains (& Other Stubborn Stains)

• Combine 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Stir to combine.

  

• Apply the soap and peroxide mixture to the stain(s), and sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the area.

  

• Use a laundry scrub brush or an old toothbrush to work the Dawn, peroxide, and baking soda into the fibers of the shirt. (Make sure to clean an area slightly bigger than the actual stain so you don’t accidentally miss any of it.)

  

• After scrubbing, let the clothing sit for at least an hour or so, and then launder as usual. I accidentally let this white shirt sit for an entire weekend before washing because I forgot about it, but it was completely fine and came out of the wash looking brand new!