Remove those Embaracing Yellow Under Arm Stains

Yellow underarm stains on a white shirt are never a welcome sight – the moment when you raise your arm to find that yellow stain and on lookers seeing it only makes me cringe. And the punch line – those same stains are also lurking on colored shirts as well, just not as visible. First, a quick update on what causes those stains to make sure you are aware of them, secondly how to prevent them and how to remove the yellow stain so buckle up and get ready to take notes!

Why Me??? 

Underarm stains are caused by the reaction between anti-persperent ingredients and the salts in your sweat. Most anti-perspirants contain aluminum compounds to reduce wetness. It is the aluminum that causes the build-up and yellowing on fabrics. The stains don’t appear overnight, but without proper handling of garments may happen after continuous wear. And this is where the stains come from!

So How Do we Prevent These Stains???

Invest in a few undershirt to help protect your more expensive outer shirt. However, if an extra layer is just not possible, try switching to an aluminum-free deodorant roll ons are great! Read the labels and you’ll find that anti-perspirants have varying levels of aluminum compounds. Choose a brand with the lowest aluminum content that provides the protection you need.

After applying deodorant, allow it to dry before dressing to prevent rub-off on fabrics. If you don’t have time to wait, a couple of blasts of air from a hair dryer will do the trick.

If you have perspired while wearing a garment, wash or dry clean it as quickly as possible. Stains are much harder to remove once they become set in. If you notice the beginnings of yellow stains, stop using the dryer. The heat can set in residual stains making them almost impossible to remove. Dry shirts in the sun to increase whitening of fabrics and if that’s not possible, air dry indoors.

How do I get rid of the not so flattering yellow?

First step to being yellow stain free, be certain that your shirt is washable. If it says dry clean only, believe the tag take it to elaundry! Dry clean after each wearing to prevent yellowing. If your shirt is white and washable, here are two methods to try. Success will depend upon how old the stains are and the fabric content of your shirt – cotton whitens best- so two thumbs up for buying cotton!

Rule of thumb mix 1:1:1 – One part baking soda, one part peroxide, one part water. Make a solution of the three ingredients. You will need about 1/4 cup each of baking soda, peroxide and water to treat one shirt. Protect the counter top with a thick white towel, rub 1:1:1 solution into stains and allow to work for at least 30 minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush or bristle brush to loosen any residue and then wash as usual in warm or cold water.

If the above fails try 1:1 – One part oxygen-based bleach (OxiClean, Clorox 2, Country Save Bleach, Purex 2 Color Safe Bleach), one part ammonia. DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH. In a well-ventilated room, wearing rubber gloves, mix solution well – about 2 tablespoons of each ingredient per shirt. Again, protecting counter top with thick white towel, rub solution into stains for at least 30 seconds. Wash as usual in warm or cold water.

For light colored shirts (blue, yellow, pink) test the solutions in an inconspicuous spot – perhaps along a hem – before trying the treatments under the arms. If there is no fading, proceed as for white shirts.

Darker colors may have stiffness or residue on the fabric under the arms. To remove the build-up and freshen the garments, fill the washing machine with cool water and add one cup of white vinegar. Allow shirts to soak for at least 30 minutes. Drain vinegar water and wash as usual in cool water.

There are two choices depending on the type of fabric. So now you have finally found the answer to having a white yellow-less shirt which will leave you fashionable and with more time to spare on the things that matter!