Yellow stains on clothes: methods you can use to try to remove them

A white shirt or T-shirt is a very versatile piece of clothing! White garments in general, can go with almost any outfit. But white garments also show up dirt immediately. One type of stain that can mar white clothes are those caused by "yellowing". Sweat, deodorants and even some detergents can cause this yellowing. Let's check out how to deal with this problem:

Remove yellow stains with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

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To use this method you will need:

• 3% (10 volumes) hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• A drop (and just a drop) of dishwashing liquid or Marseille soap (note: this is an optional ingredient) 
• A small bowl or mug
• An old toothbrush

How to proceed: the first step is prewash (which might remove the staining and you can stop here). This prewash is, however, usually followed by a regular wash in the washing machine.

• Create a paste in the small bowl by mixing the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda together in equal parts (ie. 50/50). We recommend using a spoonful of each, which should be more than enough for small stains.
• Optionally, add a drop liquid dishwashing soap or Marseille soap.
• Wet the stain on the garment.
• Cover the stain with the paste you made.
• Using your toothbrush, scrub the stain gently, using circular motions.
• Leave the paste to sit for 20-30 minutes.
• Rinse out well with cold water.
• Now wash the garment as per usual (machine wash or by hand). Use cold or hot water depending on the type of stain (see below for guidance on this).

If necessary, repeat the treatment.

Treat yellow stains with white vinegar

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Before using vinegar to remove stains, do a small test first on a hidden portion of the garment, to verify that it won't damage the item.

Using vinegar to remove stains is easy: pour a small amount directly onto the stain and wait 15 minutes before putting the garment in a regular wash.

It is recommended to only use white alcohol or wine vinegar (ie. do not use brown/red vinegars).

Which types of stains are washed with cold water and which with hot water?

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Using hot water - which is commonly held to be the best at removing stubborn dirt - can actually makes things worse (and can end up "fixing" a stain permanently). Always read the washing instructions on the garment's label.

Cold water is generally used for stains caused by:

• Proteins: blood, eggs, sweat, milk, etc.
• Food and drink: chocolate, coffee, fruit juices, wine (not red wine, however), jams, etc.
• Grass stains or ink (water-based).
• For delicate fabrics (silk, wool, linen).
• For sticky substances, such as syrups.
• Urine.

Hot water is generally used for stains caused by:

• Oil: cooking oil, grease, make-up, lotions and creams
• Starch: pasta, baby food
• Mold

With a little experience, you can keep your favorite clothes in tip-top conditon for a long time!