How to
get rid of sweat stains
Everything you need to know about removing sweat stains, what causes them and how you can help prevent them.
How to get rid of
sweat stains
Yellow sweat stains on clothing can really spoil your favourite T-shirt, blouse or shirt. Most of us have had yellow sweat stains show up on our clothes at some point – they can appear on your workout gear, summer outfits or everyday work shirts. These sweat stains discolour the area around your armpits and can even change the way the fabric feels on your skin.
But even though sweat stains can be stubborn, you don’t have to send that shirt or dress straight to the recycling bin. There are a few simple things you can do to help avoid sweat stains and, if they do appear, easy steps you can follow to get rid of them.
Read on to find out how you can gently banish deodorant and sweat stains from your clothes.
But even though sweat stains can be stubborn, you don’t have to send that shirt or dress straight to the recycling bin. There are a few simple things you can do to help avoid sweat stains and, if they do appear, easy steps you can follow to get rid of them.
Read on to find out how you can gently banish deodorant and sweat stains from your clothes.
What are sweat stains and
how do we get them?
Sweat is your body’s natural way of cooling down its core temperature, which is why you sweat most when you’re exercising, sitting in a hot room or when the weather is warm. There are other reasons you might sweat too – you may also notice you sweat when you’re nervous, stressed or feeling a bit anxious. Stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine can also increase your heart rate and make you sweat more. You’ll also sweat when you have a raised temperature as your body works to fight 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’s usually not just the sweat that discolours your clothes but, rather ironically, the very products you use to control how much you sweat.
Antiperspirants help you reduce how much you sweat, but they can also contribute to those discoloured patches under your favourite summer dress or shirt. Sweat can react with ingredients found in antiperspirant deodorants, such as zirconium and aluminium.
Aluminium in antiperspirant deodorants blocks your sweat ducts and so reduces how much you sweat. The reaction of this ingredient with your sweat can cause yellowing that, over time, gets worked deep 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’s usually not just the sweat that discolours your clothes but, rather ironically, the very products you use to control how much you sweat.
Antiperspirants help you reduce how much you sweat, but they can also contribute to those discoloured patches under your favourite summer dress or shirt. Sweat can react with ingredients found in antiperspirant deodorants, such as zirconium and aluminium.
Aluminium in antiperspirant deodorants blocks your sweat ducts and so reduces how much you sweat. The reaction of this ingredient with your sweat can cause yellowing that, over time, gets worked deep into the fabric.
How to prevent sweat
stains on clothing
While there are steps you can take to get rid of sweat stains on your clothes, it’s always easier if you can help avoid them in the first place.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid unsightly underarm stains:
- Use an aluminium-free deodorant or one that’s specially 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 stop sweat stains from 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. The same goes for all sweaty clothes – try not to leave a sweaty shirt in the wash basket for too long, as letting the sweat dry out allows the stain to set in
- Wear a vest or T-shirt under your shirt or dress to help prevent sweat stains on your favourite pieces
The NIVEA Black & White
Original 72h Anti-Perspirant Spray
The NIVEA Black & White Original 72h Anti-Perspirant Spray gives you up to 72 hours of 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 your skin.
How to remove sweat
stains out of white clothing
White T-shirts and shirts are the most likely to show yellow sweat stains. But you really don’t have to throw them out just yet. There are ways to help remove even the most stubborn sweat stains. Here’s how:
- Use a targeted treatment before you wash it – this might be rubbing in a specialist stain remover or, for a more natural option, try rubbing white vinegar into the area, or a paste of baking soda and water
- Leave the treatment on 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 might want to leave it on for as long as overnight.
- Wash the item of clothing as usual without rinsing off the pre-treatment first. A regular wash is fine – there’s no need to use a hot wash
- If the stain still hasn’t budged, repeat steps 1–4 while the garment is still damp
- Rinse the area in warm water
- Don’t treat the stained area with bleach
How to get sweat stains
out of coloured clothing
Removing yellow stains from coloured clothes follows a similar approach. But because you don’t want to affect the colour with your pre-treatment, it’s a good idea to try a small patch first with your chosen stain remover – whether it’s shop-bought or homemade – before you cover 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. You can try these for a more natural way of removing sweat stains from your clothes:
- Aspirin
Crush 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. - Salt
Dissolve four tablespoons of salt in a litre of hot water. Once it’s dissolved, rub it gently into the affected area. - Vinegar
Vinegar is often the answer to many household problems and the same is true for discoloured armpits. Simply take distilled white vinegar and rub it into the stain before popping the item in the wash on your usual cycle. You can also pour vinegar into the fabric softener drawer to brighten up white clothing and help get rid of lingering odours. - Baking soda
Baking powder is another mighty kitchen-cupboard hack. Mix it with two parts water to make a paste and rub it onto any deodorant or yellow stains. Leave it on for up to two hours. - Lemons
Scrub underarm stains with a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water.
Use the right
antiperspirant for you
It’s important to use an antiperspirant or deodorant that really 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 can react with your sweat and cause stains.
Here’s how you can help reduce deodorant stains:
- Apply an antiperspirant while you sleep
Put on a deodorant at night on clean, dry skin before you go to bed. Your sweat glands are less active at night and your body temperature drops, which means applying it overnight can make the antiperspirant more effective. The product also has more time to sink in, which helps reduce the chances of deodorant stains.
- Choose an anti-stain deodorant
There are antiperspirants specially designed not to stain your clothes or leave white marks. Explore our NIVEA Anti-Stain Deodorant range for all-round protection for your underarms and your clothing, helping you feel fresh and dry without those unsightly marks.
