How do I Remove Perspiration Stains?

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Written by Rich Fitzmorris

Question: My husband's white shirts have a yellow/brownish stain under the armpit area. I've tried lots of soap and bleach to get the stain out, but nothing works. Is there a product that would get rid of these ugly stains?
-Ellen Finfrocka

Answer: On cotton shirts, wash in hot water (150°+F) with a pH of 11.5-11.8 for 8-10 minutes. When adding chlorine bleach, the water should be between 145°-155°F with a chlorine concentration of 100-150 PPM. Follow up with at least three rinses and a sour bath.

Perspiration stains in the armpit area can be difficult on poly/blend materials. I recommend a soak procedure with an oxygen bleach solution. There are a number of products available on the market that are built detergents with sodium perborate, which is oxygen bleach. As the shirts have already been washed without successful results, soak the shirts overnight starting with a water temperature of approximately 130°F. After the overnight soak, launder without additional product.

Some deodorants products on the market contain acidic solutions of aluminum chloride which make the shirts difficult to clean. Avoid deodorant products containing this material.