Removing Sweat Stains from Clothes

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated March 27, 2023)

As we all know from experience, we all sweat. It can be because of stress, athletic exertion or due to weather. Over time this leaves disgusting-looking yellow stains that seem to never want to come out, no matter what the expensive "stain removers" claim. Here are some inexpensive and easy ways to clean your garments using items found around the house.

  • White vinegar is a great way to remove yellowing stains from your clothing. Simply adding one cup to your laundry at the same time as you put in the detergent removes the odor, and the discoloration, associated with sweat stains.
  • A "pre-treatment" option that works extremely well is to apply a paste made from baking soda and water to the stain. Gently rub the baking soda paste directly onto the stain, using your fingers. Once the paste has been applied, let it sit for between twenty and thirty minutes. After the time has expired, simply wash the clothing as you normally would.
  • Another simple pre-treatment option is to scrub the stain with hair shampoo and an old, soft-bristled toothbrush. As you know from washing your hair, very little shampoo is needed to actually get something clean. After you have scrubbed the stain with the shampoo, simply wash your clothing as always. This method provides results remarkably close to those provided by the stain removal pens.
  • For colored clothing you will want to use a different method. For this method you need to use a mixture made of two cups of water mixed with four tablespoons of white vinegar. Simply add this solution to your load of colors in a presoak cycle. Let the clothes and this solution soak for about thirty minutes. Then wash as you normally would, in cold water.
  • A final option is to use hydrogen peroxide to pre-treat the stain. Soak your stained clothing in a solution made of fifty percent water and fifty percent hydrogen peroxide. You may soak the entire piece of clothing, but it is recommended that you only soak the stained portion itself. Leave the solution on the clothing for thirty minutes, after which you wash in cool water.

Using any of these tips leaves your clothes clean, stain free, and smelling great. Happy washing!

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Using Creams and Substitutes

If you're wondering about fresh cream, whipped cream, or sour cream, you don't need to look any further. You can even cut ...

Discover More

Protect Yourself from Con Artists

There are people out there whose self-selected job it is to separate you from your hard-earned money. Protect yourself by ...

Discover More

West Highland White Terrier

Rugged yet lighthearted, the West Highland White Terrier is an ideal house pet. He is merry, alert, and self-reliant.

Discover More

Keep Your Hardwood Floors Like New Bona's hardwood floor cleaner is the #1 choice of professionals. The no-residue formula is specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment. Check out Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill today!

More Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Dye Stains from Fabric

Dye stains can be difficult to remove from fabric, but a stain isn't necessarily permanent. There are a few things you ...

Discover More

Making Yellowed Silk White Again

So maybe you inherited your grandmother's silk wedding dress or your grandfather's silk hankie. Or maybe you have some ...

Discover More

Removing Dirt and Mud from Clothing

The number one rule when trying to clean mud or dirt from fabric is to allow it to dry before attempting to clean the ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.