Sweating is a way for the body to detoxify itself, and an inevitable byproduct of living an active lifestyle, as well as being outside in the heat.  The problem, of course, is that sweat is one of the toughest stains to get out of clothes.  Even with the rise of “sweatproof” materials and powerful deodorants, nobody out there is completely safe from some discoloration on our shirts – especially around the armpit area.  Fortunately, sweat stains can be treated, as long as you follow the proper protocol.

Why is Sweat Such a Tough Stain to Remove?

Sweat stains are prone to causing discoloration that gets worse and worse as it oxidizes – in other words, the stain is practically invisible while it occurs, but as it dries, it turns yellow or white.  And, this is because of the fact that sweat contains salts and minerals that are in the body, which are responsible for the change in color of our materials.  Of course, sweat stains also cause odor, which means that the goal is to not only remove the discoloration, but the smell as well, when addressing a recent stain.

“Don’t Sweat It”: Easy Steps for Removing a Sweat Stain

You’re gonna want to address a sweat stain as soon as you notice it, but the good news is that sweat stains that have been sitting for a while are actually almost just as easy to remove as fresh stains.  Still, the sooner you get to work, the higher the chance of totally eliminating the discoloration. 

Step #1: Remove the clothing item and set it on a surface.  Create a paste from hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and dab it on a part of the clothing that is invisible, such as a part of the inside. 

• If the fabric does not discolor because of the bleaching nature of peroxide, then proceed to sponge the stain gently, dabbing it on and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
• If the peroxide and baking soda is not doable, you can use white vinegar, but patch test it first like you did with the other mixture.

Step #2: Now, thoroughly rinse the stain out with cold – not hot – water.  Hot water can set the stain permanently.

Step #3: Next, massage some laundry detergent or Grab Green Liquid Dish Soap directly into the stain with your fingers, getting deep into the fabric’s fibers. 

Step #4: Place in a bowl and fill with cold water, allowing it to soak for 30 minutes.  Then, remove.

Step #5: Throw the garment into the washing machine, using cold or warm water rather than hot, as again, heat will set the stain.  Grab Green’s 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods or  3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder are perfect to use.  If the clothing is very delicate, then use our Delicate Laundry Detergent Pods.

Step #6: Before placing the garment into the dryer, check to see if the stain is gone.  Otherwise, you’ll set the stain through the heat of the dryer, making it permanent.  If the stain is still there, then consider doing the above steps all over again and washing it again. 

Recap: Although sweat stains are tricky, since they don’t appear right away, and because they can set so easily, in most cases, you can remove a sweat stain entirely with some basic household items you have lying around, and minimal effort overall.  So, if you end up with sweat-stained clothes, no need to automatically throw them away.  Try our method above first, and simply follow it carefully for the best results.