Bring Yellow-Stained Clothing Back To Life With One Easy And Affordable Solution

Imagine waking up, showering, and reaching for your favorite shirt to get dressed for the day. But as you're putting it on, you notice a slight odor and then look down to see it — those dreaded yellow sweat stains. As anyone who's tried to remove them knows they are one of the toughest laundry stains to get out. It's enough to make you want to toss your beloved shirt in the trash. This discoloration, which is caused by sweat mixing with a deodorant or antiperspirant, clings to the fabric and is most noticeable in light-colored clothing. But, before you lose all hope, there is one affordable solution that may be able to lift those unattractive yellow splotches: oxygen bleach, which can be found at most major retailers and online outlets for around $10.

Powdered oxygen bleach, also known as sodium percarbonate, is made by combining soda ash and hydrogen peroxide. Its crystalized formula releases oxygen when mixed with water, making it capable of lifting stains from fabric. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is safe for all colors and doesn't release harsh fumes. You can use it to remove yellow sweat stains from any color of clothing in your closet. As a bonus, it will even brighten your clothes.

Removing those unsightly stains from your clothing using oxygen bleach is easy, but there is one caveat before you get started. While this product is safe for all colors and most fabrics, it should not be used on wool, silk, or leather. If your stained item is not one of these materials (and isn't marked "dry clean only"), you can begin by pretreating the stain. Following the brand's instructions, fill a bucket or sink with warm water then add the recommended amount of oxygen bleach. For the well-known brand OxiClean, this amounts to one full scoop of powder per one gallon of water. After allowing the oxygen bleach to dissolve, place your sweat-stained clothing in the mixture and let it soak for three to six hours. (You can soak items for a longer duration if they are heavily soiled.) Then wash the garment with your regular detergent.

For the best results, never let yellow sweat stains sit on your favorite whites for long. Oxygenated bleach may be able to lift some set-in discoloration, but it's most effective when applied promptly, especially on blended or polyester fabrics. In addition to removing stains, it can also banish body odors from your clothing, making it the perfect solution for your workout or athletic clothes. And if you're dealing with white marks from your antiperspirant rather than sweat stains, try one of these easy ways to remove deodorant stains from your laundry.