How to Remove Sweat Stains on Dress Shirts

There’s nothing more embarrassing than sweat stains on dress shirts. They’re a pain to get out and a constant source of anxiety. Your first instinct is to slather on more deodorant, but that could be part of the problem. Here’s our guide on how to remove sweat stains on dress shirts — and how to stop them in the future.

How sweat stains on dress shirts happen

Sweat is odorless and colorless. So how do those pesky yellow stains keep appearing?

The ugly yellow stains on your clothes aren’t just from sweating. They’re caused by aluminum, an ingredient found in most deodorants. When the aluminum reacts with your sweat (which is a protein) the yellow stains occur. You can see our full blog post about the science of pit stains here.

Most general stain removal tips tell you to wash the garment immediately to prevent the stain from setting. This can be difficult with daily wear, so after wearing a light-colored shirt that could show yellow pit stains, try one of these methods instead of plopping it in the dirty clothes hamper for later.

DIY methods to remove sweat stains on dress shirts

Here are a few ways to remove sweat stains on dress shirts.

• Apply a mixture of one part hot water and detergent after every use.
• Combine 1 cup vinegar, one cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide. Soak for 20 minutes and wash.
• Use a toothbrush or laundry brush to scrub the stain.
• After applying and scrubbing the cleaning agent, let it sit before washing.

Preventing sweat stains on dress shirts

The easiest way to stop yellow pit stains from ruining your dress shirts is to stop them before they start. Undershirts are the best way to prevent sweat stains on dress shirts. They’re less expensive than your nice dress shirts, easy-to-find and can stop sweat from soaking through to your shirt.

However, if you suffer from hyperhidrosis or are just a heavy sweater, a simple undershirt may not be enough. That’s why Thompson Tees founders Billy and Randy spent years developing Hydro-Shield technology. It’s a patented, sweat proof technology built into the armpit of every Thompson Tee. Unlike cumbersome sweat pads, Thompson Tees trap sweat and release it as vapor, stopping sweat from soaking through your shirt. Try one risk free today.