Sweat stains around the armpits of white shirts, as well as "ring around the collar", both can cause an otherwise dapper-looking fellow or lady to appear unkempt and unattractive. Yellowish stains in high-perspiration areas are caused by the oils found in sweat, and can stubbornly resist the most dedicated efforts to wash them out. However, many creative and observant homemakers have discovered a variety of remedies to effectively remove sweat stains from clothing.

Just as with medical care, early detection and treatment can make a big difference in stain prevention. Many remedies will be more effective if applied immediately, before the stain has had a chance to dry and set. As soon as you discover a sweat stain in the making, turn the shirt inside out and apply a small amount of one of the following: ammonia, a paste of baking soda and water, white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals will absorb or break down the oils and prevent a stain from forming. Remember to test on an inconspicuous area of the fabric before applying, to make sure that colors will not be affected. Let them soak in for a while- about an hour is a good bet. From there, wash the shirts as normal, and the sweat stains should come out. When you wash the clothing, use a cold water setting, as heat will cause the stains to set.

If these treatments don't work, try some shampoo made specifically for oily hair. The oils in your hair are the same as those produced in sweat, so this should help break up the stain. Also, you can try the "solar treatment". Wet the fabric, and apply either full-strength laundry detergent, or lemon juice. Then let the fabric sit in full sunlight for the afternoon. The UV radiation of the sun will help to break down the oils, the same way it attacks your skin cells to cause sunburn. Keep the stain moist throughout the process, and then launder on cool.

Whichever one of these techniques you use, do NOT use chlorine bleach. The chlorine will react with the proteins in sweat to darken and set the stain. Again, avoid exposing the stain to heat if at all possible. Also, it is helpful to know that many people report that their sweat stains seem to be caused by the use of anti-perspirants. They claim that after switching to a deodorant, rather than an anti-perspirant, they ceased having problem sweat stains on their clothing.

If none of these solutions are successful for you, consider a commercial enzyme-based cleaner, such as Nature's Miracle Stain Remover. These types of cleaners are extremely effective on organic stains of all kinds.

Just like the old saying says, "Never let 'em see you sweat". Hopefully, armed with this knowledge, no one will ever have any reason to believe you've ever sweated in your life. Good luck!

I've found the easiest Sweat Stain Removal is with Nature's Miracle Stain Remover. In addition to removing sweat stains, Nature's Miracle is safe for use around pets and kids plus it works quickly and naturally to thoroughly destroy all stains and odors (that are organic) on carpets, hardwood floors and many other types of surfaces.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Massaro

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