How to
get rid of sweat stains
Everything you need to know about removing sweat stains, what causes them and how to prevent them.
How to get rid of
sweat stains
Yellow sweat stains on clothing can ruin your favourite T-shirt, blouse or shirt. Many people have experienced yellow sweat stains on their clothing – they can appear on workout gear, summer outfits or work shirts. These sweat stains discolour the area around the armpits and can even change the feel of the fabric.
But while sweat stains can be stubborn, there's no need to send that shirt or dress to the recycling bin. There are several measures you can take to avoid sweat stains and, if they do appear, steps you can take to get rid of them.
Read on to find out how to banish deodorant and sweat stains.
But while sweat stains can be stubborn, there's no need to send that shirt or dress to the recycling bin. There are several measures you can take to avoid sweat stains and, if they do appear, steps you can take to get rid of them.
Read on to find out how to banish deodorant and sweat stains.
Sweat vs Deodorant Stains ExplainedWhat are sweat stains and
What are sweat stains and
how do we get them?
Sweat stains and deodorant stains are often confused, but they form in different ways and appear in distinct ways on clothing.
Sweat is the body's way of cooling down its core temperature, which is why you sweat most often when you're exercising, when you're in a hot room or when the weather is warm. There are other reasons why you might sweat – you may also sweat when you're nervous, stressed or apprehensive. Stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine can also increase your heart rate and cause you to sweat more. You also sweat when you have an elevated temperature as your body fights off an infection.
Sweat is made up of water, salt, fats and proteins. When you sweat, all of these components end up on your clothing. And it is usually not sweat alone that discolours our clothes but, rather ironically, the products we use to control how much we sweat.
Antiperspirants help reduce how much we sweat but they can also contribute to the discoloured patches under your best summer dress. Sweat can react with ingredients found in antiperspirant deodorants, such as zirconium and aluminium.
Aluminium in antiperspirant deodorants blocks the sweat ducts and so reduces how much you sweat. The reaction of this ingredient with your sweat causes yellowing that, over time, gets ground into the fabric.
Sweat is made up of water, salt, fats and proteins. When you sweat, all of these components end up on your clothing. And it is usually not sweat alone that discolours our clothes but, rather ironically, the products we use to control how much we sweat.
Antiperspirants help reduce how much we sweat but they can also contribute to the discoloured patches under your best summer dress. Sweat can react with ingredients found in antiperspirant deodorants, such as zirconium and aluminium.
Aluminium in antiperspirant deodorants blocks the sweat ducts and so reduces how much you sweat. The reaction of this ingredient with your sweat causes yellowing that, over time, gets ground into the fabric.
What Causes Sweat and Deodorant Stains
How to prevent sweat
stains on clothing
While there are steps you can take to get rid of sweat stains on your clothes, it is best to try and avoid them in the first place.
Here are a few tips to avoid unsightly underarm stains:
- Use an aluminium-free deodorant or one designed to avoid white marks
- Make sure your deodorant or antiperspirant is completely dry before you put on your top or dress
- Wash your clothes after each wear with a good detergent to avoid sweat stains building up and becoming embedded in the fabric
- Don’t leave your gym kit in its bag – take it out and wash it as soon as you can. In fact, that goes for all sweaty clothes – avoid leaving a sweaty shirt in the wash basket for too long as the sweat will dry out, allowing the stain to set in
- Wear a vest T-shirt under your shirt or dress to avoid getting sweat stains on your favourite garment
Key Facts About Sweat and Deodorant StainsThe NIVEA Black & White
The NIVEA Black & White
Original 72h Anti-Perspirant Spray
The NIVEA Black & White Original 72h Anti-Perspirant Spray provides 72h reliable anti-perspirant protection while helping prevent white marks on black clothing and yellow stains on white clothing. With its patented anti-stains technology, it tackles odour, sweat, stains, residues and irritation, all while being gentle on the skin.
Practical Tips to Help Prevent Sweat and Deodorant Stains
How to remove sweat
stains out of white clothing
White T-shirts and shirts are most susceptible to yellow sweat stains. But there's no need to throw them out just yet. There are ways to help remove even the most stubborn sweat stains. Here's how:
- 1. Apply Antiperspirant CorrectlyUse targeted treatment before you wash it – this might be rubbing in a specialist stain treatment or, for a more natural option, try rubbing white vinegar into the area, or a paste of baking soda and water
- 2. Wash Clothing Soon After WearingLeave the treatment for at least 20 minutes. The more ingrained the stain, the longer you need to leave it. Depending on how stubborn the stain is, you may want to leave it for as long as overnight.
- 3. Choose Breathable FabricsWash the piece of clothing as usual without washing off the pre-treatment. A regular wash is fine – there's no need to use a hot wash.
- If the stain has not budged, repeat steps 1–4 while the garment is still damp.
- Rinse the area in warm water.
- Do not treat the soiled area with bleach.
How to get sweat
stains out of coloured clothing
Removing yellow stains from coloured clothes follows a similar approach. But as you don't want to ruin the colour with the pre-treatment, first try a small patch with your chosen stain remover – either shop-bought or homemade – before covering the whole area.
Home remedies to get rid of sweat stains:
There are several tried and tested natural ways to treat sweat stains or deodorant stains. Try these for a more natural way of removing sweat stains on your clothes:
- AspirinCrush two aspirin tablets and mix the powder with warm water. Soak the stain in the solution for two to three hours, then wash as normal.
- SaltDissolve four tablespoons of salt in a litre of hot water. Once it is dissolved, rub into the affected area.
- VinegarVinegar is so often the answer to household problems, and the same is true of discoloured armpits. Simply take distilled white vinegar and rub it into the stain before popping it in the wash on your usual cycle. You can also place vinegar in the fabric softener drawer to brighten up white clothing and help get rid of lasting odours.
- Baking sodaBaking powder is another mighty kitchen cupboard hack. Mix it with two parts water to make a paste and rub on to any deodorant or yellow stains. Leave for up to two hours.
- LemonsScrub underarm stains with a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water.
Step-by-step stain removal guide for fresher-looking clothesUse the right
Use the right
antiperspirant for you
It is important to use an antiperspirant or deodorant that works for you and your body. Both deodorant and antiperspirant help to neutralise the bacteria that cause the smell we know as body odour. In addition, antiperspirant contains aluminium that reduces how much you sweat by blocking the sweat glands. Because of these sweat-blocking ingredients, antiperspirants react with your sweat and cause stains.
Here's how to reduce deodorant stains:
- Apply an antiperspirant while you sleep
Put on a deodorant at night on clean, dry skin before you go to bed. Our sweat glands are less active at night and your body temperature drops, which means applying it overnight makes the antiperspirant more effective. The product also has more time to sink in, reducing the chances of deodorant stains.
- Choose an anti-stain deodorant
There are antiperspirants available that are designed not to stain your clothes or leave white marks. Explore our NIVEA Anti-Stain Deodorant range for ultimate protection for your underarms and your clothing, leaving you fresh and dry without unsightly marks.
