DIY Underarm Stain Removal
The classic white shirt is a staple for any stylish wardrobe…but there’s one little problem – those pesky underarm stains! Ever wonder what causes those stains? According to About.com, those embarrassing stains are actually a result of a chemical reaction caused by the interaction of the aluminum in your antiperspirant and natural salts in your sweat. Now, before you go throwing out your antiperspirant (a move we don’t recommend), here are some quick tips that’ll help remove those nasty underarm stains and get your favourite white shirts back to tip-top condition.
The Professional Route
The first rule of laundry: Always trust the tag. If it says ‘dry clean only,’ then it needs to be dry cleaned. Whether dry clean only or not, if you’ve got embarrassing underarm stains on your clothes, contact the professionals at Simply Laundry. We’ll pick up your laundry, ensure it is cleaned professionally and in an eco-friendly manner, and return your good-as-new clothes right back to your front door.
The DIY Route
If you need that pesky underarm stain removed right away, here are some at-home tricks you can use to get your clothes back to like-new condition.
Baking Soda – Hydrogen Peroxide – Water
For this DIY underarm stain fix, use equal parts baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water – about ¼ cup of each. Before you begin, make sure you protect your counter or workspace with an absorbent towel. Mix all ingredients together into a single solution and then rub the solution into your stained clothes. Use a toothbrush or soft-bristle brush to loosen residue and ensure all the stain has come out. Allow your shirt to sit for about half an hour and then launder as usual.
Oxygen-Based Bleach – Household Ammonia
CAUTION: DO NOT use chlorine bleach for this DIY underarm stain fix; mixing chlorine bleach with ammonia can result in hazardous, and potentially deadly, fumes. Using oxygen-based bleach and ammonia, mix together 2 tablespoons of each for each shirt you need to de-stain and ensure you use a non-metal bowl. Once the solution is mixed, rub the solution on the stain using a soft-bristle brush for about half a minute. Once the stain has been removed, allow your clothes to sit for about 5-10 minutes and then launder as per usual.
Avoiding Underarm Stains
To avoid underarm stains altogether, try wearing an undershirt underneath your favourite clothes. Another easy trick for shirts with long sleeves is to take a thin maxi pad and stick it to the inside of your shirt so that the maxi pad is in contact with your underarm. You can’t avoid sweating, but you can avoid ruining your favourite clothes by following these tips and making sure you properly launder all your most important items.
While underarm stains can be removed using DIY recipes, the process is time-consuming and awkward. Why not skip the dirty work and let Simply Laundry return your dull whites back to bright whites and take care of those unsightly underarm stains for good? If you’ve already got an account with Simply Laundry, log in to request a pick-up. If you don’t have an account, why not? Start one today (it’s fast, free, and we have Air Miles!) and start using your time to do what you love, not laundry.