How to remove sweat stains

Sweat stains can be the pits. When the salts in sweat combine with active ingredients in deodorant they create a stain that results in unsightly yellowed armpits on shirts or tops. Here’s how to treat these stains with ease.

Treating sweat stains on clothing

There are two issues with sweat: the stains, and the smell. Popping a capful of white vinegar in with your wash will help banish smells from even the smelliest of smelly sports clothes. Men’s business shirts deserve a little special treatment before washing, treating collars, cuffs and armpits to remove sweat stains before they set in.

• Wash the sweat-stained items with laundry soap and water as hot as the fabric will tolerate.
• Soak the item for 30 minutes or more prior to laundering as usual. Stubborn sweat stains may need to be soaked overnight.
• Older or more stubborn stains require tougher measures, especially if the sweat and deodorant have combined to create a hard stain and you should follow the below steps:
• First of all, wet the stains and scrub with plain old laundry soap.
• Rinse.
• Make a solution of 1/2 cup of bi-carbonate of soda, 1/2 cup of vinegar and stir. When it stops fizzing, rub into stains.
• Leave overnight.
• Rinse and launder as usual.
• Repeat these steps if stains persist.

Removing sweat stains on unwashable fabrics

Sweat stains on unwashable fabrics are best treated by a professional or you can try this remedy:

• Gently sponge the stain with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.
• Blot with a dry cloth.
• Sponge with fresh water to rinse.
• Blot dry with a dry towel.

Removing sweat stains on carpets or furnishings

Sweaty sport stars collapsed on the couch or carpet after a tough game? Oh no! But don’t sweat it – here’s how to remove those stains and stop your home smelling like a footy change room!

• Soak a sponge in 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water.
• Sprinkle carpet or furnishings with bi-carb soda and leave to sit for 30 minutes.
• Dab the stain with the vinegar mix – the bi-carb will bubble up when the vinegar hits it.
• Blot with a dry towel.
• Keep alternately blotting with the sponge and dry towel until the stain disappears.
• If any stain or smell persists, sprinkle with bi-carb, leave for 30 minutes, and then vacuum.

Stain remover notes

• The quicker you deal with a stain, the more likely you are to remove it.
• Unless it’s a fat stain, cold water is best for rinsing a stain, so as not to set it and make it harder to remove later.
• Before using a cleaning solution, test on an inconspicuous section, such as the inside of a sleeve, to check it won’t ruin the fabric.
• Always rinse out one cleaning solution before trying another to remove a stain as certain chemicals are not supposed to be mixed.
• Read the care instructions on the item of clothing before attempting vigorous stain removal. Some clothing may be too delicate to attempt stain removal and are better taken straight to the drycleaners.
• Don’t rub fabric harshly to remove stains as this can abrade fibres and cause fading.
• The white towel blotting method is often recommended for stain removal. Simply fold a clean white towel and, once you have treated the stain with water, gently dab it with the towel and check to see how much of the stain has transferred to the white towel.
• If using commercial stain removers and detergents, always follow the product label to understand the proper use and safety precautions you may need to take.
• It’s always easier to treat a stain on a washable fabric.

Stain remover notes

• The quicker you deal with a stain, the more likely you are to remove it.
• Unless it’s a fat stain, cold water is best for rinsing a stain, so as not to set it and make it harder to remove later.
• Before using a cleaning solution, test on an inconspicuous section, such as the inside of a sleeve, to check it won’t ruin the fabric.
• Always rinse out one cleaning solution before trying another to remove a stain as certain chemicals are not supposed to be mixed.
• Read the care instructions on the item of clothing before attempting vigorous stain removal. Some clothing may be too delicate to attempt stain removal and are better taken straight to the dry cleaners.
• Don’t rub fabric harshly to remove stains as this can abrade fibres and cause fading.
• The white towel blotting method is often recommended for stain removal. Simply fold a clean white towel and, once you have treated the stain with water, gently dab it with the towel and check to see how much of the stain has transferred to the white towel.
• If using commercial stain removers and detergents, always follow the product label to understand the proper use and safety precautions you may need to take.
• It’s always easier to treat a stain on a washable fabric.