You know those frustrating yellow or white marks that show up under your shirt sleeves after a few wears? They’re tough to hide and can make even your favorite shirts look tired. Luckily, you can tackle armpit stains with a handful of household ingredients and a few quick steps.
Figuring out what causes these stains makes it way easier to get rid of them. Sweat, deodorant, and fabric type all matter, but the right approach lifts even old marks without ruining your clothes.
You’ll find out how to clean stains from different fabrics, try natural remedies, and keep new ones from forming.
Understanding Armpit Stains
Sweat, deodorant, and fabric react together to create armpit stains. These marks leave yellow or white patches that just make clothes look old.
Knowing what causes them and why they show up helps you treat and prevent stains more easily.
What Are Armpit Stains?
Armpit stains are those discolored spots under the arms of shirts and blouses. They show up yellow on white fabrics and chalky or white on darker ones.
When sweat mixes with deodorant or antiperspirant, stains form. The reaction between moisture, salt, and chemicals can stiffen the fabric fibers over time.
Sometimes a faint odor lingers even after washing. Sweat residue and deodorant compounds cling to fibers, and regular washing often isn’t enough. Pre-treating or soaking the fabric before washing helps loosen the buildup.
Common Causes of Underarm Stains
A few everyday habits cause underarm stains. The main culprit is the reaction between aluminum-based antiperspirants and your sweat. Aluminum salts block sweat glands but react with proteins in sweat and leave yellow marks.
Body oils and bacteria join the mix, too. When they combine with sweat, they create compounds that can darken or discolor fabric.
Hard water makes things worse by leaving mineral deposits that trap residue.
Fabric choice matters. Cotton absorbs and releases moisture easily, but synthetic fabrics like polyester trap sweat and deodorant, making stains tougher to remove. You can read more about these reactions at The Spruce’s guide on removing underarm stains.
Why Armpit Stains Happen on Shirts
Shirts get armpit stains most often because the underarm area traps heat and moisture. When you move, friction pushes sweat and deodorant deeper into the fabric.
White shirts show yellow stains since sweat and aluminum mix and oxidize over time. Colored shirts might end up with white or chalky marks.
High heat from the dryer can set stains for good, so air drying is usually safer. For more info, check out Rinse’s guide to armpit stains.
Effective Methods to Remove Armpit Stains
A few basic household items can get rid of armpit stains. Baking soda, white vinegar, and oxygen-based cleaners break down sweat and deodorant buildup that cause yellow marks and odors.
These methods work on both white and colored fabrics if you use them right.
Using Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda lifts sweat and deodorant residue from fabric fibers. It also gets rid of odor and brightens whites.
What you’ll need:
- 1 part baking soda
- 1 part hydrogen peroxide
- 1 part water
Mix everything into a paste and spread it over the stain. Rub it in gently with a soft brush or cloth. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then wash in warm water.
For older or darker stains, repeat before drying. Don’t dry until the stain is gone since heat can make it permanent. Step-by-step details are at The Spruce’s guide.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
White vinegar loosens sweat and deodorant buildup. Combined with baking soda, it removes odor and softens fabric.
Steps:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Soak the stain for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the damp spot.
- Gently scrub with a toothbrush or sponge.
- Wash in cool or warm water.
This method is safe for colors. Vinegar dissolves residue, and baking soda helps lift discoloration. More info is in The Spruce’s cleaning guide.
Oxygen-Based Stain Removers
Oxygen-based cleaners work on tough yellow stains, especially on whites. They release oxygen bubbles that break down sweat proteins and chemicals.
How to use:
- Mix oxygen bleach powder with warm water as the label says.
- Soak the garment for 1–2 hours.
- Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Don’t mix oxygen bleach with ammonia or chlorine bleach. This method works for deep-set discoloration and helps whiten older fabrics. Learn more at The Spruce’s article.
Natural Remedies for Stubborn Pit Stains
You can treat sweat stains with simple, safe ingredients from your kitchen. Natural acids, salts, and mild abrasives help lift stains and remove odor without harming fabric.
Lemon Juice Treatment
Lemon juice is great for yellow armpit stains. Its citric acid breaks down sweat and deodorant buildup. Mix lemon juice and water in equal parts, dab the solution on the stain, and let it sit for 15–30 minutes.
For tougher stains, sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the damp fabric to boost cleaning.
Don’t use this method on dark or delicate fabrics—lemon juice can lighten colors. Adison Wear suggests adding salt for extra scrubbing on white shirts.
Salt and Water Soak
Salt draws out moisture and residue from the fibers. Dissolve four tablespoons of table salt in a quart of warm water. Soak the fabric for about an hour, then gently rub the area.
Rinse well and wash as usual. This works well for cotton shirts that have absorbed deodorant and sweat.
If the stain sticks around, repeat the soak or add a bit of white vinegar for more cleaning power. Rinse’s guide says vinegar can help restore fabric color and neutralize odor.
Aspirin and Cream of Tartar Method
Crushed aspirin contains salicylic acid, which dissolves the proteins that cause yellow stains. Mix two crushed aspirin tablets with a teaspoon of cream of tartar and a few drops of water to make a paste.
Spread it over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then wash as usual.
This combo works best on white or light-colored fabrics since it lifts stains without bleaching. Adison Wear describes this as a good option for older, stubborn marks.
How to Remove Armpit Stains from Different Fabrics
How you remove armpit stains depends on the fabric and color. Cotton, silk, and synthetics all react differently to cleaning agents, so you’ll want to pick the right method to protect your clothes and get rid of the stain.
White Shirts and Light Fabrics
White shirts and light fabrics make stains stand out, especially yellow marks from sweat and deodorant. Mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water into a paste and rub it into the stain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, rinse, then wash in warm water.
If the stain’s set, soak the fabric in a white vinegar solution (one part vinegar, two parts water) for 30 minutes. Vinegar dissolves minerals and deodorant residue.
Skip chlorine bleach—it can make yellow stains worse. Try an oxygen-based cleaner like OxiClean, as Rinse suggests. Always air-dry, since dryer heat can set any leftover stain.
| Product | Purpose | Safe For Whites? |
|---|---|---|
| Baking Soda | Lifts and deodorizes | ✔️ |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Brightens fabric | ✔️ |
| White Vinegar | Breaks down buildup | ✔️ |
Colored and Delicate Materials
Colored shirts and delicate fabrics like silk or rayon need a gentler touch to avoid fading or damage. Turn the garment inside out and dab a mix of mild dish soap and cold water onto the stain. Blot gently—don’t scrub.
For stubborn stains, dilute white vinegar with water and test on a hidden spot first to check for color loss. You can also use a bit of oxygen bleach, but steer clear of chlorine bleach on colors.
If the fabric is fragile, hand wash and let it air dry flat. The Spruce points out that cotton and other natural fibers handle stain removal better than synthetics, so be extra careful with blends and delicate materials.
Preventing Future Armpit Stains
You can head off armpit stains by picking products that don’t react with sweat and by washing clothes the right way. Using gentle ingredients, breathable fabrics, and air drying can help keep residue from settling into your shirts.
Choosing the Right Deodorant
Most stains actually happen when aluminum in antiperspirants reacts with the salt in your sweat. To dodge this, grab an aluminum-free deodorant next time you’re at the store.
These formulas help cut down on yellowing and buildup under your arms. Look for labels like “natural” or “aluminum-free”—they’re everywhere these days.
Let your deodorant dry completely before you get dressed. If it’s still wet, it’ll just smear onto your shirt and leave a mess.
Try applying a thin, even layer—no need to cake it on. That way, less product ends up on your clothes.
If you’re a heavy sweater, you might have better luck with a clear gel or spray instead of a stick. These tend to leave less residue behind.
Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo helps too. They let air circulate and keep your skin drier.
The Clothes Maiden points out that letting your antiperspirant dry before you get dressed makes a big difference.
Washing and Drying Tips
Wash sweaty clothes as soon as you can. If sweat and deodorant sit too long, stains become tougher to remove.
Pre-treat the underarm area with a mix of baking soda and water or a little white vinegar before tossing it in the wash. This helps loosen up any residue.
Use warm water for cotton shirts. For delicate fabrics, stick with cold water.
Skip the bleach—it can actually make yellow stains worse. Oxygen-based cleaners, like the ones mentioned in Rinse’s guide, do a better job.
Don’t toss stained clothes in the dryer. Heat sets stains for good.
Always air dry until you’re sure the stain’s gone. Hanging clothes outside works extra well for getting rid of lingering odors and keeping things fresh.
Lifestyle Habits to Minimize Underarm Stains
A few small habits can make a big difference in avoiding armpit stains and keeping your clothes looking good.
Choosing the right fabrics and making sure your skin stays clean and dry are probably the most effective ways to fight discoloration and odor.
Wearing Breathable Fabrics
What you wear has a real impact on how much you sweat and how quickly sweat dries.
Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, bamboo, and linen let air move through and help moisture dry up faster. This makes it harder for sweat and deodorant to mix and leave yellow marks.
Try to avoid synthetics like polyester and nylon when you can. They trap heat and moisture, which just leads to more obvious stains.
| Fabric Type | Breathability | Stain Resistance | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | High | Moderate | Everyday wear |
| Linen | Very high | High | Hot climates |
| Polyester | Low | Low | Avoid for long wear |
Wearing an undershirt can help too. It acts as a barrier and soaks up moisture before it reaches your shirt.
Pick thin, moisture-wicking undershirts for the most comfort.
If you want more info on fabric choices, check out how breathable materials prevent sweat buildup.
Personal Hygiene Practices
Keeping your skin clean cuts down on bacteria that cause odor and discoloration. Wash your underarms daily with mild soap and warm water.
Make sure you dry the area well before using deodorant or antiperspirant. If you want to avoid yellow stains, try switching to aluminum-free deodorants—those aluminum compounds can react with sweat and leave marks.
Let the deodorant dry fully before you get dressed. That way, you won’t get those annoying white streaks or residue on your clothes.
Shaving or trimming underarm hair helps, too. With less hair, sweat and bacteria have fewer places to hide.
If you’re still dealing with odor or discoloration, give natural options a shot. A rinse with diluted white vinegar or a little baking soda can help neutralize the bacteria that cause smells.
Curious about more ways to prevent or clean armpit stains? Check out this guide for easy at-home tips.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.