How to get pit stains out of shirts? The definitive guide
If you’ve ever gotten armpit stains on your favorite clothes, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and it’s very frustrating, especially when it comes with an unpleasant odor. Luckily, we’ll share our trusted secrets on how to get rid of armpit stains, how to deal with unpleasant odor and how to remove those stubborn dark underarm stains from your favorite clothes.
So, prepare to say goodbye to armpit stains and sweat odor and discover a way to enjoy wearing white!
Why do I get sweat stains in my shirts?
Before we get to our best practices for armpit stain and odor removal, we first need to understand what causes pit stains. There are a few culprits behind armpit stains on shirts: sweat, deodorant, and hard water.
Our sweat is a combination of water, fats, proteins, and salt. When released from the body, it reacts with the oils and dirt on our skin as well as the minerals in hard water, causing a mixture that attaches to the shirt’s fabric, leaving a stain and unpleasant sweat odor. Additionally, anti-perspirant contains aluminum zirconium, whose molecules also bind to the sweat components and attach themselves to fabric, cause buildup, and eventually lead to discoloration, aka yellow underarm stains.
So, in a way, the answer to the question, ‘why do I get sweat stains in my shirts?’ is because the result is a natural process. It’s natural to sweat and the way that sweat, skin, wash water, and fabrics interact leads to stains and odor. But it doesn’t mean that we’re bound to sweat stains forever; there are several ways to get rid of armpit stains.
The best way to remove armpit stains will vary based on the type and color of the fabric. It will also depend on the type of stains and how stubborn they are. If there’s been a build-up of sweat stains over time, you might need tougher agents to help remove the armpit stains. This could also be the case if you need to remove stains from white fabrics.
How to remove sweat stains out of white shirts
As you know, white shirts are more prone to showing stains like underarm stains. So, a powerful yet fabric-safe product is the way to go when you’re trying to get rid of sweat stains on white shirts.
If you’ve tried DIY products like white vinegar and baking soda to remove stains (more on that later), and haven’t had much success, it’s likely time to switch to a product that’s designed for laundry and tested to be safe and effective on stains. We’re not talking about chlorine bleach but oxygen bleach. It’s effective and color-safe and won’t cause yellowing and potential damage over time like chlorine bleach. Follow these steps on how to remove yellow sweat stains from white clothes.
Step 1
The first step in removing armpit stains out from white shirts is by checking the shirt’s fabric care label to understand any specific cleaning instructions.
Step 2
Next, soak the white shirt at least 30 minutes to overnight in a solution of water and oxygen bleach-containing detergent like Tide Ultra Oxi Powder (start with ~1/2 cup of Tide Ultra Oxi Powder in ~2 gallons of warm water). .
Step 3
Wash like normal in a regular or HE washing machine with a stain-fighting detergent like Tide Ultra Oxi Powder or Tide with Oxi Liquid Detergent. Let the item air dry rather than machine drying, which can further set in stains.
Step 4
If the steps above still leave sweat stains on white shirts, you may have an extra stubborn underarm stain that needs an extra boost. That’s where Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse can help. Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse is inspired by vinegar, but more effective and tested to be safe on all fabrics. To use on sweat stains, soak the stain (or the entire garment to help fight dinginess) in a small bowl of Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse overnight, then wash as normal.
How to remove stains from colored shirts
The great thing about oxygen bleach is that it’s safe to use on colors. That means that when it comes to getting rid of sweat stains and odor on black or colored clothes, you can follow the same steps as you would with white clothes. You just need a few products to remove sweat stains from colored shirts. While you may be tempted to use DIY solutions like vinegar and baking soda, the effectiveness of these items is limited. In fact, mixing vinegar and baking soda together just creates salt water! So you’re better off using products designed for cleaning clothes and tested to be safe on fabrics.
Check what you have in stock and grab some detergent with oxygen bleach, like Tide with Ultra Oxi Powder and Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse. Fill a bowl with warm water and you’ll have everything you need to rid your clothes of underarm stains and odor. Depending on how stubborn the sweat stains are, you can remove them from your colored clothes with a solution of color-safe Tide with Ultra Oxi Powder and water. In some instances, you might need an extra boost with Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse help get rid of sweat stains and odor.
Step 1
To remove sweat stains on black or dark shirts using Tide with Ultra Oxi Powder, make a solution with ½ cup of Tide with Ultra Oxi Powder and ~2 gallons of warm water.
Step 2
Next, allow the stain to sit in the solution for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. If the stain has been building up over many wears and is particularly stubborn, rinse the shirt out and soak again in Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse for a powerful cleaning boost. Allow the stain to soak in Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse overnight.
Step 3
Rinse the solution out of the shirt using cold water. Wash the shirt in a regular or HE washing machine like you normally would, using a stain-fighting detergent like Tide with Ultra Oxi Powder or Tide with Oxi Liquid Detergent. Check to make sure the stain has been removed before machine drying the shirt.
How to prevent armpit stains on clothes
Since sweating is a natural phenomenon, it’s impossible to prevent it from happening, but we can manage how it affects our bodies, and most importantly, the underarms of our shirts.
As we’ve already mentioned, sweat stains and odor aren’t caused by sweat alone. That means the fabrics we wear, the water we wash clothes in, and the deodorant we use are all contributing factors to sweat stains and odor.
You can help prevent armpit stains and odor by:
Keeping your underarms clean. This means regularly washing your underarms with soap to remove dirt and soils that can result in foul odor and pit stains. If you’d like, you could also shave or trim your underarms as hair tends to collect more sweat than skin does.
Washing your clothes asap and using effective detergents. The sooner you get to washing your clothes, the easier it will be to get rid of sweat stains and avoid them. And the better your detergent cleans with each wash, the easier it will be to prevent underarm stains from building up.
Applying less deodorant. Using excessive deodorants in the underarms can make sweat stains worse.
Choosing the right fabrics. If you’re in the middle of summer or generally sweat a lot, it might be best for you to wear breathable clothing. This will help keep your body cool and avoid yellow armpit stains caused by sweating.
Best detergent for armpit stains
Our recommendation for the best routine for armpit stains and odor is Tide with Ultra Oxi Powder Detergent plus Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse. Tide Clean Boost Fabric Rinse is inspired by vinegar, but more effective and tested to be gentle on skin and safe on all fabrics. In just one wash, it cleans more trapped residue and odor than other detergents do with three washes. It's also free from dyes and heavy perfumes. So, enjoy the Tide Original Scent and fresh and refreshed clothes after every wash.
P&G Fabric Care, the leaders in laundry science since 1946
