Best Tips to Remove Sweat Stains and Odor From Clothes

Do your clothes have sweat spots and odors? These can ruin your favorite outfit. The good news is that you don’t have to pay for professional laundry services or throw away your clothes. 

You can quickly get rid of these stains and smells at home with common household items and a few easy steps, like making a paste to remove stains, scrubbing with a toothbrush, making a soaking solution, squeezing out extra water, and washing in the washing machine with hot water. Let’s look at several ways to solve this common cleaning issue.

Different Methods to Eliminate Sweat Stains and Odors From Clothes

The following are the best methods to wash off sweat stains and remove odors from clothes:

1. Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is a strong natural cleaner that can eliminate sweat spots and smells. This everyday cooking item helps break down the acids in sweat that give it color and smell. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste. Before washing, put this on the dirty areas immediately and leave it for 30 minutes. 

2. Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach works better than baking soda to eliminate sweat spots that won’t come out, especially on white clothes. Unlike chlorine bleach, which removes colors from fabrics, oxygen bleach doesn’t damage colors and gives off oxygen when mixed with water. This process breaks down the proteins in sweat marks. To dissolve oxygen bleach in warm water, follow the package’s directions. Soak the stained clothes for one to two hours, and then wash them.

3. Stain Remover Or Detergent

Heavy-duty washing detergents and store-bought stain removers are made to remove tough stains like sweat. Products you should look for have “enzyme action” on the label because enzymes eliminate protein-based stains like spots. Apply the stain remover immediately to the affected areas and rub it in gently. Then, leave it to work for as long as the package says to, which is usually 5 to 10 minutes. 

Step-by-Step Process to Remove Sweat Stains

The following are some simple steps that help to remove sweat stains and odors:

Step 1: Prepare a Soaking Solution

First, fill a sink or basin with warm water, then add a quarter cup of baking soda or one cup of white vinegar. This pre-treatment helps remove stains and eliminate smells before the primary cleaning procedure. Put your stained clothes in this mixture and let them soak for at least half an hour. If strong odors or stains are difficult to remove, you can soak them for several hours. 

Step 2: Wring Out Excess Water

Once your clothes have soaked, remove them from the solution and carefully squeeze out any extra water. The cleaning agents must stay on the fabric for the next procedure, so don’t rinse them. Soft fabrics should not be twisted too roughly, which could harm the fibers. Press the garments against the basin wall or between your hands to remove most moisture. 

Step 3: Create a Stain Removal Paste

Combine liquid dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda in a small basin to create a stain-remover paste. These potent ingredients may lift and remove even the toughest sweat stains. Dish soap removes the oils in the stain, hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleach, and baking soda gently abrades. Stir until the paste is smooth and spreadable. A commercial stain remover from your local laundry service can also be effective if you don’t have these supplies.

Step 4: Use a Toothbrush to Scrub the Stain

Directly apply the paste to the clothing’s stained areas. Using tiny, circular strokes, gently scrub the paste into the fabric with an old toothbrush. The soft bristles help work the cleaning mixture deep into the fibers without damaging them. Pay attention to the collar, the underarms, and other areas where sweat accumulates. To allow the paste to dissolve the sweat chemicals completely, leave it on the spots for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 5: Machine Wash with Hot Water

Lastly, load your pre-treated clothes into the washing machine and run a standard cycle after adding your usual washing detergent. The hot water removes all loose stain particles and activates the cleaning chemicals. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to provide even more freshness. After washing, ensure the stains are gone before drying because the dryer’s heat can solidify any remaining stains.

Conclusion

Sweat stains and smells don’t have to be difficult to remove from clothing. You may successfully refresh your clothes at home by following five easy steps: making a soaking solution, squeezing out extra water, making a stain removal paste, brushing with a toothbrush, and machine washing with hot water. 

Whether you use professional stain removal, baking soda paste, or oxygen bleach, these techniques will help your clothing last longer. Professional laundry services can remove these stubborn stains if you don’t have the time or if the item is extremely valuable.