6 Proven Ways to Remove Yellow Stains From White Clothes

We've all been there: Reaching for that perfect white tee only to find it tarnished by stubborn yellow stains. It's a common laundry woe, but it doesn't have to mean the end for your cherished clothes.

Let’s explore effective and simple techniques to remove yellow stains from white clothes. With a few household ingredients and a bit of elbow grease, you'll have your whites looking brand new in no time!

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1. Thompson Tee: Prevent Yellow Stains Before They Happen

Tired of dealing with yellow stains and throwing away your favorite white shirts? Thompson Tee’s sweat proof undershirt cuts the problem at the root and permanently prevents yellow stains from ruining your clothes.

The patented sweat proof technology evaporates underarm sweat, keeping your outer layers dry and pristine.

No sweat marks. No pesky yellow stains. Get yourself a sweat proof undershirt and make yellow stains a distant memory.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

When it comes to removing yellow stains from white clothes, two ingredients work best: hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Both substances have powerful stain-lifting abilities.

When hydrogen peroxide breaks down, it releases oxygen gas. This process (known as oxidation) lifts stains or "bleaches" them, breaking down the molecules that cause the yellow color. Speaking of bleach: Never use actual bleach on a sweat stain, as it can make the stain permanent.

Baking soda’s mild alkaline nature makes it great for removing grease and oil, two ingredients that contribute to yellow stain formation. Because of its crystal-like structure, baking soda also makes an excellent abrasive, helping to physically scrub and lift stains from the fabric without damaging it.

Like baking soda, salt is abrasive too. Its granular texture makes it great for scrubbing the toughest stains and absorbing grease and oil.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp hydrogen peroxide
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tsp water

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl to form a paste
  2. Dampen your shirt stains with cold water.
  3. Apply the above mixture onto the yellow stains.
  4. Let the shirt sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
  5. Scrub the mixture into the stains with a scrub brush, old toothbrush or other short-bristled brush.
  6. Rinse, then machine wash in cold water with your regular laundry detergent for one washing cycle, then dry as usual.

Pro tip: The longer you let hydrogen peroxide soak into a stain, the better. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and soak your stained shirt in it overnight. Then try treating the stains using the above method the next day.

3. Dish Soap Solution

Dish soap — it's not just for dishes! It can also be an effective agent for removing yellow stains from clothes because it’s made to break down and remove grease, oils and other organic residues.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup liquid dish soap, like Dawn
  • 2 cups hydrogen peroxide
  • Baking soda

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Combine dish soap and hydrogen peroxide in the mixing bowl.
  2. Apply the mixture to the yellow stain.
  3. Sprinkle some baking soda over the stained area.
  4. Let the shirt sit for one hour.
  5. Use the brush to gently scrub in baking soda.
  6. Rinse, then machine wash in cold water with your regular laundry detergent for one washing cycle, then dry as usual.

Read more: How to Remove Sweat Stains on Mattresses and Sheets

4. White Vinegar Solution

This powerhouse combination works well together for removing stubborn, set-in stains.

White vinegar is a mild acid that can dissolve grease and mineral deposits from the antiperspirant or deodorant you’re using. Baking soda, as mentioned before, is an alkali, so when the two are combined they undergo a chemical reaction that enhances their cleaning properties.

Note: Only use white vinegar!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 2 cups hydrogen peroxide
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Combine ingredients and mix into a paste.
  2. Use the scrub brush or toothbrush to work the solution into the stain.
  3. Let the shirt soak. For newer stains, a 10 or 15-minute soak should be sufficient. For older stains, let the shirt sit a few hours or overnight for best results.
  4. Rinse, then machine wash in cold water with your regular laundry detergent for one washing cycle, then dry as usual.

Read more: How to Remove Sweat Stains on Dress Shirts

5. Commercial Stain Removers

OxiClean, Shout or other enzyme-based stain removers may very well be the easiest way to remove yellowing from white clothes.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Follow the instructions on the product label.
  2. Pre-treat the stain with the stain remover and let it sit for the recommended amount of time.
  3. Wash the clothing in the washing machine as usual.
  4. Dry

6. Lemon Juice Solution

The combination of lemon juice and sunlight is a natural and effective method for removing yellow stains from white clothes.

Lemon juice is acidic, making it a mild bleaching agent that can lighten yellow stains by dissolving organic compounds. Sunlight, on the other hand, is a natural bleach thanks to its ultraviolet (UV) rays which break down the chemical bonds in stain molecules, causing them to fade and break apart.

INGREDIENTS

  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Sunlight
  • Optional: Salt (for tougher stains)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Apply lemon juice directly to the stain.
  • Lay the shirt out in direct sunlight for several hours.
  • Wash the clothing item in the washing machine as usual.

Additional Tips on Removing Yellow Sweat Stains From White Shirts

  • Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it does not damage or discolor it.
  • Before spot-cleaning any garment, read its care tag. If the article is “dry clean only” or made of wool, silk or leather, these methods may not be appropriate.
  • For persistent stains, you may need to repeat the treatment process.
  • Avoid using bleach on delicate fabrics or those with specific care instructions that advise against it.
  • Dry your white clothes in the sun instead of the dryer for even brighter results. Let “nature’s bleach” work its magic.

Read more: How to Prevent Pit Stains: 9 Ways to Save Your Shirts