The truth is that everyone happens to find themselves with unsightly spots under the armpits. However, it is possible to save your favorite shirt from the dustbin - try this article's tips to get rid of stubborn yellowish stains and learn how to avoid ruining your wardrobe in the future.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare the Fabric for Stain Removal
Step 1. Choose the remedy you prefer to get rid of the spots
There are a number of methods for removing yellow patches. Whether your choice is based on enthusiastic advice from a friend or on the fact that you already have a certain product available, decide which remedy is best for you. Select one of the following, then follow the respective steps.
- Sodium bicarbonate.
- Combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
- Vodka.
- Dishwashing liquid.
- White vinegar.
- Aspirin powder.
Step 2. Pretreat the stain by wetting it with cold or lukewarm water
Moisten it thoroughly by pouring water on the fabric or applying it with a sponge.
- Stains form when sweat reacts to the aluminum contained in most deodorants and antiperspirants. The yellow halo is due to a combination of the proteins found in sweat and aluminum. Since it has a protein base, immediately exposing it to hot water would fix it.
- Either way, hot water is best for actually removing the stain. After having wetted it with cold water and treated with the chosen product, it is advisable to wash the garment in hot water to remove dirt residues.
Step 3. Mix the water with the product of your choice in a separate container
Whatever substance you have selected, you must mix it with warm water in order to activate its active ingredient. Below you will find the proportions and specific instructions for preparing the solution.
- Vodka, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and dish soap should all be mixed with water at a ratio of 1 to 1.
- Baking soda should be mixed with water at a ratio of 3 to 1.
- Aspirin must first be crushed. Use 3-4 tablets and pour the powder into a bowl of warm water. Read this article to find out more.
Step 4. Mix the product with water until a liquid or thick solution is obtained
Once they are mixed properly, the mixture will take on a homogeneous shape.
- Baking soda allows you to create a thick compound.
- Vodka, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and aspirin will dissolve in a liquid. You will need to soak the garment or the stained part in the solution, so make sure you have a large enough container.
- At a ratio of 1 to 1, the dish soap will dissolve in the water. However, you can also create a thick compound by opting for a ratio of 3 to 1. Some prefer the latter consistency, as they find it more effective against stubborn stains.
Method 2 of 4: Remove the Stain with a Thick Solution
Step 1. Spread a thick layer of solution over the stain
Before proceeding, make sure you cover it completely.
Step 2. Thoroughly scrub the mixture onto the garment using a toothbrush or nail brush
Since the fabric absorbs the solution, it is necessary to gradually apply more of it. You will see that the stain will begin to fade.
- The baking soda compound is effective on its own, but you can also try pouring vinegar over the stain as you scrub it. Bubbles will form immediately, so be careful.
- Bicarbonate is basic, while vinegar is acidic, so mixing them generates the formation of bubbles. The abrasive properties of this reaction help to eliminate dirt residues, as they allow the stain to dissolve from the fibers of the fabric.
Step 3. Leave it on for an hour
The active ingredients will have plenty of time to penetrate and break down the chemicals that caused the halo.
If the stains are particularly stubborn, leave the treatment on overnight
Step 4. Wash the garment as usual by setting the washing machine to the highest temperature tolerated by the fabric you are treating
Some materials do not react well to heat, in fact they can shrink or fade. Read the garment label for washing instructions
Step 5. Repeat if necessary
After the first treatment, stubborn stains may not completely disappear. Rub the mixture into the spot again, let it sit, and repeat the wash until the stain is completely gone.
If you are using a thick baking soda and peroxide compound or dish detergent, try treating stubborn stains with a liquid solution as well to increase the effectiveness of the process. Follow the steps outlined in the following section of the article
Method 3 of 4: Remove the Halo with a Liquid Solution
Step 1. For particularly stubborn stains, use both a thick compound and a liquid solution
- To make a thick mixture, mix baking soda or larger doses of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, or powdered aspirin with water.
- Rub the mixture into the stain with a toothbrush or nail brush, as described in the previous section. Leave it on for an hour.
Step 2. Pour the liquid solutions into a bucket or container large enough to soak the stained garment well
In reality, you can simply moisten the affected part, but if you prefer you can submerge the entire garment.
- For less extensive stains, it is generally not necessary to submerge the garment. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it generously on the affected areas. Let it absorb before washing the garment as usual.
- If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wear rubber gloves for the following steps, as the products used contain harsh chemicals.
- When treating a garment, avoid bleach: the active ingredient it contains causes the dye to oxidize, which could cause color changes. The products suggested in this article do not contain bleach and should be safe to use on fabrics.
Step 3. Let the product act
The shutter speed depends on the stain. The lighter ones usually take only 15-30 minutes, while the dark ones take a few hours, and possibly all night.
- Check the garment. If the stain fades quickly, remove it from the water. If after an hour you notice that it has barely faded, let the product work overnight.
- If the stain is not fresh, it will be more difficult to remove it. Try to treat sweat stains as soon as they appear.
Step 4. Wash the garment as usual, setting the washing machine to the highest temperature tolerated by the fabric in question
Some fabrics do not react well to heat: they can shrink or fade. Read the label for washing instructions
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Halos
Step 1. Use an aluminum-free deodorant or antiperspirant
- Stains form because sweat reacts to the aluminum found in most deodorants and antiperspirants. The combination of sweat protein and aluminum causes a yellow halo to appear.
- Brands like Bottega Verde have a line of aluminum-free deodorants.
Step 2. Use less deodorant or antiperspirant
Overdoing it could make the halo worse; try to use it sparingly. An excess of product will only cling to the fibers of the fabric and cause more stains to appear.
Step 3. Take preventative measures
After washing a garment, turn it inside out before storing or wearing it. Sprinkle a generous amount of baby powder on the armpit area and iron it. This method is ideal for cotton and cotton blends.
Step 4. Put on a cheap tank top
To avoid staining your most beautiful shirts, the tank top will create a barrier between sweat and the garment.
Step 5. Treat stains every time you wash the garment
Wash it immediately after wearing it and pre-treat it with a stain remover, such as Omino Bianco's Oxy.
