Sweat stains can ruin a great outfit in just a few washes, whether it's on sportswear, work shirts or little summer dresses. This year, refresh your wardrobe and make sure every clothes in your household are pristine.

In this article, we'll explain the reason behind those pesky yellow stains and we’ll show you how to get rid of them. You’ll also learn how to avoid this problem in the future—and because this is a Myni piece, all our solutions will be kind to your skin, and to the planet!

How do yellow sweat stains appear? 

In general, yellow stains are not caused by sweat alone. They're actually due to the combination of perspiration and your deodorant! Most of the antiperspirants in supermarkets contain aluminum. This ingredient works by clogging the skin’s pores and therefore reducing the amount of sweat produced by the body. Unfortunately, it's also the reason why stains appear: sweat, combined with aluminum salts, will result in a yellow tint on fabric. At first, you’ll barely notice they’re here, but after several washes, these underarm stains will get worse and won’t be so easy to ignore.

Another reason why you could have stains on your clothes is through the amount of fabric softener you use in your washing machine. If you pour fabric softener in the wrong compartment (to be released at the start of the wash, for example) or use more than one capful, brown or yellow stains can form on your clothes. The fabric softener will not dilute properly and will settle on your clothes, creating unsightly stains.

The place in which you store your laundry can also have an impact on the colour of your clothes. An item that is bright white when you buy it may turn yellow over time because of the humidity in the room where you store your textiles. Indeed, humidity is a breeding ground for bacteria which will then stain your clothes. How can you avoid wear, tear and unattractive marks on your favourite looks? We have a few tips - keep reading to find out what they are.

3 ways to get rid of deodorant or fabric softener stains

1. Baking soda: Our first tip is about a very well-known ingredient. Sodium bicarbonate is an effective solution to remove limescale, yellow stains and add shine to most surfaces. This active ingredient will be useful in any room of your home and it can clean stains in just 30 minutes. To use, simply mix it with water to create a paste. You can then spread the mixture on the stain in question and wash your garment as usual. The stain will disappear and your clothes’ original brightness will be restored. Want to kill two birds with one stone? Use a laundry detergent that already contains bicarbonate of soda. We recommend ours, which is plastic-free and biodegradable, although we're not entirely impartial... 
   
2. Lemon: An effective stain remover could already be in your fridge. The citric acid in this citrus fruit makes it a useful ally against stains of all kinds. Dab lemon juice on the stain in question, leave to air dry and then wash as usual. Lemon also fights odours, so it's really perfect for stubborn sweat stains.
3. White vinegar: Here’s yet another ingredient you'll find in your kitchen! The acidity of white vinegar has an impressive stain-removing power. Mix it with warm water, apply to the stain and leave to dry. For stains that are especially stubborn, add a few drops of washing-up liquid to the mixture to cut the grease and refresh your whites. This concoction will get rid of most stains, not just those caused by sweat!

There you have it,  you should be able to combat those infamous armpit stains with these three natural ingredients. But if you'd rather prevent the stains themselves, we also have some advice for that.

How can you prevent yellow stains on white clothes?

Did you know that the way you apply your deodorant can have an impact on this stain problem? Remember to apply your deodorant to dry, clean underarms to limit the bacteria on your skin. The more bacteria (and moisture), the greater the risk of stains. 

Following the same thread, remember to apply your antiperspirant the night before rather than in the morning. This way, the anti-perspirant effects will be more effective, as your body temperature generally drops gradually during the night (unless you're having nightmares!). The next day, you'll produce less sweat and will also be less likely to stain your clothes. Another quick solution is to wash your clothes right away instead of letting it sit in your laundry basket for days, especially sweaty workout gear. This is an ideal environment for bacteria, which will grow and create tough stains.

Finally, pay attention to the ingredients you use in your washing machine. Powder detergents (and therefore tablets) have been proven to be more effective than liquid detergents. In fact, powders are great at removing stains and offer better whitening power. This upgraded performance can be a disadvantage for more delicate garments such as underwear or sportswear, as it can damage them over time. Good news: we also offer a delicate laundry detergent. Simply place a tablet at the bottom of your washing machine and let the Myni magic happen!

Conclusion

Here are the things you need to remember to remove and prevent yellow stains on white clothes:

• Choose an aluminum-free antiperspirant or apply your deodorant the day before, on dry and clean skin.
• Use non-toxic ingredients such as lemon, white vinegar and sodium bicarbonate to remove stains from your clothes.
• Don't use too much fabric softener in your washing machine and opt for powder detergents, which are more effective against this type of stain.

Want to read even more tips for cleaning your home? Read our article on eco-friendly ways to improve your back-to-school cleaning routine.