How to Rid and Prevent Underarm Stains

How to get rid of underarm stains and prevent them

I don’t care who you are, if you own a white shirt, chances are that the underarm portion of the shirt has begun or will begin to yellow. Let’s be honest…humans sweat. If you prefer to refer to it as “perspiring”, or “glistening”…to each their own. I know I sweat. So, what can we do about it? Would you believe I have the answer in one simple word? Aspirin. Yep, it turns out this little pill can do a whole lot. I’ve read about aspirin being an acne treatment and dandruff treatment. It can also rid the green color in your hair caused by chlorine…not to mention it can prevent heart attacks. Now we find that it can rid the world of pit stains?!? Here’s the scoop on putting the white back in your whites…

1. Crush 8 – 10 Aspirin pills in a small bowl.
2. Add just enough water to make a paste.
3. Work the paste into the stain.
4. Let it sit on the stain overnight
5. Wash as you normally do.

Voila! Bye, Bye yellow!

Now if we could only prevent it from happening again…

OH WAIT, WE CAN!!!

Prevent Underarm Stains

This time put the Aspirin away a bust out some baby powder. Take your new-looking, clean, white shirt and sprinkle a little baby powder into the underarms. Give it a once over with a hot iron. You’ll smell baby soft and the baby powder will prevent any sweat or oil from soaking into the fabric. I think I’m going to go whiten the rest of my shirts now. Let me know how you keep your whites white!

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36 thoughts on “How to Rid and Prevent Underarm Stains”

    1. Hi Eileen! Good question. I haven’t tried this trick on colors yet. I do, however, have a grey shirt that I was going to retire anyway, so let me do some experimenting. I’ll get you an update as soon as possible! Thanks for reading!

        1. Good question! I hadn’t tried it on colors up until today, but I’ve been asked several times if if would work. I have the treatment on two colored shirts as we speak. Now I just need to let it sit over night, but should have an answer for you by tomorrow. Stay posted. I will let you know how it goes!

          1. Results are in…I tried the Aspirin treatment on both grey and deep purple shirts. Both were 100% cotton. The treatment did NOT discolor the fabric. I hesitate to say that it won’t affect all fabrics, but cotton shirts seemed to be okay. I guess my whole theory is if I’ve got yellow armpit stains, the shirt is pretty close to the end anyway, and it would be worth a shot trying to save. 🙂 Good luck! Let me know if you have success!

  1. the stains are caused by the aluminum in you deodorant , not by sweating, get rid of that and you will have no stains

    1. Good tip! That is true. Non-antiperspirant deodorants that do not contain aluminum are best for avoiding stains, but those types of deodorants don’t work for everyone. This post is helpful for those who need to use deodorants with antiperspirants. Thanks for your comment and for stopping by!

    2. I thought so too, but have gotten rid of the aluminum deodorants long time ago, my shirts still get yellow stains.

      1. The yellow staining CAN be from the aluminum but more often than not it is the build up and oxidizing of oils and salts in our sweat.

        Some folks don’t have the build up issues when they use natural products while others of us do. Everyone has a unique body chemistry and we have to use the products that work for us. Back in the day it was common for girls to place pads/pantyliners in the pit of their tops to collect the excess sweat and prevent the stains. Not that long ago I had an actor who would sweat excessively under the stage lights. I had to stick pads in his shirts to prevent the sweat from showing onstage. The joys of being a costume designer…

    1. The baby powder does wash out, so ideally, yes, you have to repeat the process. You can also look for deodorants that do not contain aluminum. That will also help to keep stains from forming. Thanks for your interest!

    1. It’s the same concept with collars, although keep in mind different fabrics may require multiple applications. In my experience with this, fabrics with more synthetic blends require more applications. Hope that helps.

    1. You’re welcome and thanks for stopping by! I visited your country about 10 years ago. What a beautiful place to live!

    1. I think it depends on the fabric and how set the stains are. I did try it on an older shirt that had been through the dryer several times and…nada. No change in the color. I guess I would say it’s worth a shot, but the older the stain, the less effect the Aspirin has.

  2. I’ve had great luck with a different method to remove yellow stains…on whites, colors, even my oldest grossest gym shirts. Saturate the stain with hydrogen peroxide then sprinkle on baking soda. I rub it in with a small brush. Let sit for awhile then before laundering spray with white vinegar. Easy, cheap, nontoxic and super effective. I use this routinely on white tees to prevent staining altogether.

  3. I recently heard that baby powder is actually bad for you, esp if applying it on a baby’s bum! For little girls it’s the worst, as it can go inside the body and creates a lot of problems later on in life. Corn starch is the very best replacement and its natural. Its even on the ingredients list of baby powder. Seriously need to get the word out on the health issues baby powder can cause.

  4. Pingback: No more Underarm Stains | Creative Home Ideas

  5. Great tip! But honestly – I do own about 15 white blouses but none of them have white stains. Yes, I am human and do sweat 😛
    But my man does has those nasty yellow pit staines in all his white shirts, so I’m happy there really is a solution now!

  6. Do you know how to get out the deodorant stains from using too much deodorant? I have a black shirt that now has white armpits. It has been laundered many times & nothing takes it out. Any suggestions? Thanks.

    1. Hmm. I’ll do some research. You’re not the only one out there who has had that problem. Great idea for a post! I’ll see what I can figure out! Thanks for stopping by!

  7. I bought a 100% silk baby shirt and was going to whiten applied a small amt of bleach it turned brown I have it lightened to yellow. Any suggestions for getting it back white.

    1. Yikes! Having young kids, I don’t have many items in the silk category these days. I’ll keep my ears peeled and let you know if I come across anything that might help!

  8. This could’ve saved soo many of my white shirts in the past!! Thanks for this post! I won’t have to throw out anymore shirts due to yellow gross pits lol!

  9. a friend who dyed fabrics tried to dye a tshirt that had faded told me the contents of deodorants get into the fibers of the clothing and that is what causes the stains. How many people wait for the deodorant to dry before dressing? I have switched to the Thai deodorant stone and let the application dry. I have no more stains. my husband has underarm stains on his t-shirts– it is the deposit of the deodorant being rubbed in to the fabric that causes the stains. I’m going to try the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda then white method.

  10. Hi, to answer the deodorant stain question…. I saw this on that show What not to wear, a long time ago… But all you do is rub the shirt together where the deodorant is. It will rub it right out. I have tested this and it has worked for me when I get deodorant on my clothes instead of myself …

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