How To Remove Yellow Armpit Stains With Pictures

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) OxiClean (baking soda and hydrogen peroxide) Vodka Dish Detergent White Vinegar Crushed Aspirin (kept safely away from children)

Stains are actually created by perspiration reacting to the aluminum found in most deodorants and antiperspirants. The combination of the protein found in your sweat combining with the aluminum creates the yellow stain. As the stain is protein based, immediate exposure to hot water sets in the stain. [1] X Research source However, hot water is best for actually removing the stain. After submerging in cool water and treating with the remedy of your choice it is advised to wash in hot water to purge the remaining soils.

OxiClean, vodka, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and dish detergent should all be mixed in a container at a 1-1 ratio. Baking soda should be mixed to water at a 3-1 ratio. Aspirin pills must first be crushed. Use 3-4 pills and then mix into a bowl of warm water. See How to Remove Sweat Stains With Aspirin for more specific instructions. Keep aspirin out of reach of children, and be careful not to inhale any of its particles as it’s being crushed.

Baking soda will produce a paste. Vodka, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and aspirin will dissolve into a liquid. You will be soaking the garment or stained area in this mixture, so be sure to have a large enough container for the task. OxiClean and dish detergent will dissolve into water with the given 1-1 ratio. However, you can also create a paste by using more OxiClean or detergent at a 3-1 ratio. Some prefer the paste solution, believing it fights harder against tough stains. [2] X Research source

Although the baking soda paste works well on its own, you can also try pouring vinegar over the stain while you scrub. The vinegar will immediately bubble up, so use caution. Baking soda is a base while vinegar is an acid, so the two combined produce an explosion of sorts in the form of bubbles. This reaction’s abrasive qualities helps eliminate residue while the bubbles lift the stain out of the fabric. [3] X Research source

If the stains are especially bad, let the treatment sit overnight.

Some materials do not react well with heat, either shrinking the garment or fading the color. Check the garment’s tags for washing instructions. [4] X Research source

If using OxiClean or detergent paste, try soaking tough stains in the liquid form as well. This will increase the stain-fighting power. Follow the steps in the section below. [5] X Research source

Mix baking soda or higher proportions of OxiClean, detergent or crushed aspirin with water in order to create a paste. Scrub the paste into the stain with a toothbrush or nailbrush as described above. Let sit for an hour.

For lesser stains, soaking may not be necessary. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply to stained areas. Generously spray and allow the solution to soak in before washing as usual. If you have sensitive skin you may want to wear rubber gloves for the following steps, as the cleaning agents contain strong chemicals. Stay away from bleach products when soaking clothing, as the chemical oxidize dyes which could lead to discoloration. [6] X Research source The items listed in this article do not contain bleach and should be fabric safe.

Monitor your garment. If the stain fades quickly, remove from the soak. If the stain barely fades in an hour, leave overnight. If a garment has been stained for a long period of time, it will be harder to remove. Try to treat your armpit stains as soon as they appear.

Some materials do not react well with heat, either shrinking the garment or fading the color. Check the garment’s tags for washing instructions.

Fresh stains are far easier to treat than old ones. By consistently treating the stain, you keep the garment clean and prevent it from settling into the fabric. [9] X Research source