The Right Way to Remove Sweat Stains From Your Clothes

Sweat is a natural part of life, but it can often leave unwanted odors and stains on our clothes. While sweat itself is primarily composed of water, discoloration happens when it comes into contact with the oils, dirt, and bacteria on your skin. Additionally, sweat can leave stains when it mixes with your deodorant, depending on the type you use. No matter what the cause is, sweat stains are easy to remove using natural cleaning agents you likely already have in your home.

Materials Needed

Make sure you have these materials on hand when treating sweat stains.

• Distilled white vinegar
• Bowl
• Water
• Microfiber cloth or sponge
• Mild liquid detergent
• Baking soda

How to Remove Sweat Stains

The best way to remove sweat stains is with distilled white vinegar. "This method can generally be used on a variety of fabrics, but it's recommended to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the clothing first to ensure it doesn't cause any damage or discoloration," says Katie Dills, senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority.

1. Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a bowl.  
2. Dab the stained area with the mixture using a clean cloth or sponge.
3. Gently rub the stained area with the cloth in a circular motion. 
4. Let the mixture sit on the stain.
5. Rinse the area with cold water to remove the mixture. 
6. Using mild liquid detergent, wash the garment according to the instructions on the care tag.
7. Remove the garment from the washing machine and check to make sure the stain is removed.
8. If it's still there, repeat the steps above or use something that's heavier duty.
   

How to Treat Stubborn Sweat Stains

If any stains remain after treating them with distilled white vinegar, turn to baking soda to lift them.

1. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste.
2. Spread the paste over the stained area.
3. Let the paste sit for 20 minutes.
4. Rinse the area with cold water to remove the paste. 
5. Using mild detergent, wash the garment according to the instructions on the care tag.

Additional Tips for Treating Sweat Stains

Some cleaning methods may make the stains even worse, so keep these tips in mind when cleaning your garments.

• Never use chlorine bleach to treat sweat stains. "Chlorine bleach reacts to the sweat creating a yellowish tint similar to that created by the original culprit, aluminum," says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds, a line of non-toxic cleaning products and home goods.
• Do not put your sweat stained garments in the laundry. "The sooner you treat them, the easier they are to lift," says Parnell.
• For delicate and dry-clean only fabrics, consider consulting a professional dry cleaner rather than removing the stain yourself, says Dills.
• Do not dry stained garments. If your item is still stained after machine washing, try repeating the stain treatment. "Drying sets the stain, making it more difficult to remove," says Parnell.
• Consider switching to an aluminum-free deodorant, which can leave behind yellow stains when it interacts with sweat.