For sweat stain on white cotton: For yellowing, oxygen bleach and vinegar beat chlorine bleach. Follow the steps below and most of these come out without a trip to the cleaner.
That yellow underarm mark is not sweat alone: it is the aluminium in antiperspirant reacting with proteins in sweat, which is why an ordinary wash does nothing. Chlorine bleach can actually darken it. Oxygen bleach plus vinegar is the standard approach, and set-in marks need several rounds.
Method by fabric
White cotton
What you need
- Oxygen bleach
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Soft toothbrush
Steps
- 1Pour a 1:1 vinegar and water mix on the stain and leave thirty minutes.
- 2Sprinkle baking soda to form a paste and work it in with a soft toothbrush.
- 3Soak two hours in lukewarm water with oxygen bleach.
- 4Wash below 40ยฐC.
- 5Repeat the whole process before drying if it is lighter but still there.
Never do this
- Chlorine bleach โ it can deepen the yellow
- Hot washes โ they set the mark
- Dressing immediately after applying antiperspirant โ let it dry first