How To Remove Unsightly Yellow Armpit Stains
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!
Check out this armpit stain cleaning solution in my video at the bottom of the post!
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!
Related: Removing Blood Stains Easily with Hydrogen Peroxide
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)
Video
Equipment
- Scrub Brush
- Toothbrush
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dish soap
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
Instructions
- Combine 1/2 cup dish soap and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl.
- Apply the soap and peroxide mixture to the stain(s) and sprinkle baking soda over the area.
- Use a laundry scrub brush or an old toothbrush to work the soap, peroxide, and baking soda into the fibers. (Make sure to clean an area slightly bigger than the actual stain so you don’t miss any of it.)
- Let the clothing sit for an hour or so, then launder as usual.
Using Dr Bronners peppermint castille soap works perfectly too in place of Dawn in this mixture.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ll give this a try. Do you think it would work on getting the grassy, dirt stains out of baseball pants? I need a stain fighter solution for that one too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here you go! http://jillee.co/2n7Jr98
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This has become my go-to stain remover since I first heard about this combination. I have a spray bottle in my laundry room with a hydrogen peroxide and Dawn mix, ready to tackle all my stains. The very toughest get the baking soda added. I usually don’t use a brush, but will scrub the cloth between my hands and I let the clothes air dry, so as not to set whatever stain might remain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is good to know. I wear white t-shirts under my work shirts for layering. The shirts everyone wears are so thin. I don’t care so much about the stains on a shirt I’m wearing underneath work clothes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is very similar to a stain remover formular I’ve used for 20-25 years. It was given to me by the owner of a children’s clothing resale shop. I mix up a huge batch, put it in a squirt bottle and use it on everything. I treat the stain (on any color clothing) and just throw it in the hamper until laundry day – no fading. The formula is 1 part Dawn, 1 part ammonia, and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. I was told the ammonia breaks down body oils (and Heloise advises using a cup in your load of towels or sheets to remove body oils – which also helps brighten and freshen them). This takes out almost every stain and has been kid-tested on sports stains, blood, etc. I will try it with the addition of the baking soda!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much Jillee and Margot, it is wonderful to read this helpfull comments.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I happen to live in Argentina, thus I don´t know if the products are the same.
Our Ammonia is liquid and has a very, very penetrating smell. Is that the Ammonia you use???, mixed with the liquid soap and hydrogen peroxid.
How strong is your hydrogen peroxid?
Kindest regards
The hydrogen peroxide is 3% :-)
Dawn is almost as versatile as white vinegar!! Thanks Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What strength of peroxide? It comes in various percentages. Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.3% :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you, Jillee. I’m starting workout classes soon and I remember how indelicate the underarms of my T-shirts can be. I’m definitely keeping this one handy!
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