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Getting drenched in sweat doesn't mean your clothes are ruined. Zigy Kaluzny / Getty ImagesSweating helps the body stay cool, but the unsightly stains it leaves on clothes are another story. Fortunately, learning how to eliminate sweat stains—whether they’re dark spots or yellowish marks—is simple.
Keep reading to discover effective methods for tackling sweat stains.
What Leads to Sweat Stains?
Sweat stains occur when your perspiration interacts with your deodorant or natural skin bacteria.
"The mix of water, fats, proteins, and salt in your sweat—along with deodorant ingredients like aluminum and zirconium, as well as body oils—contributes to sweat stains," explains Maytag. "Over time, these molecules accumulate and eventually embed into the fabric fibers, often causing the yellow discoloration frequently seen in sweat-marked clothing."
They typically show up in the armpit region of your clothes, but can also appear in other areas where sweat accumulates. For instance, sweat can stain the inside band of a baseball cap.
Are Sweat Stains Permanent?
You can eliminate sweat stains, but some may prove resistant to the cleaning process. Grove advises against using a dryer when you spot a stain, as it could make the marks worse. Instead, Grove suggests letting the affected garment air dry.
How to Eliminate Sweat Stains From Various Fabrics
You can use a commercial stain remover to tackle the spots, but there are also effective home remedies you can try. The first step in removing a sweat stain is to determine the type of fabric. Below are some of the most common materials prone to sweat stains, along with instructions on how to remove sweat from each.
- Delicate fabrics like acetate, rayon, silk, or wool
- Washable fabrics such as acrylic, cotton, linen, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, or spandex
- Leather or suede
- Vinyl clothing
Delicate Fabrics
Follow these steps to remove persistent sweat stains from delicate fabrics such as acetate, rayon, silk, and wool.
- Sponge the stained area with water using a dampened pad, gently moving from the center outward, then apply wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Be cautious when using ammonia on silk and wool.)
- Place an absorbent pad soaked with wet spotter over the stained area.
- Leave the pad in place until the stain starts to lift.
- Change the pad as it absorbs the stain.
- Continue to keep the stain and pad moist with wet spotter and ammonia.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and let the area dry completely.
Washable Fabrics
Removing sweat stains from washable materials like acrylic, cotton, linen, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, and spandex is simple and effective.
- Use an enzyme-based presoak product as directed on the package.
- After soaking, wash the item as you normally would.
- For older stains, sponge the area with a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water, then wash.
- If discoloration occurs, stretch the stained area over a bowl of ammonia to allow the fumes to penetrate while the spot remains moist.
- Act quickly when treating sweat stains, as they can weaken the fabric over time.
Warning: Never iron a garment that has perspiration stains. The heat will set the stains permanently.
Leather or Suede
Use the following steps to remove sweat stains from leather or suede.
- Create a mixture of mild soap in lukewarm water.
- Agitate the solution to generate a generous amount of suds.
- Apply only the foam using a sponge.
- Gently wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth.
- For leather, follow up with specialized cleaners like Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap to nourish the leather.
Vinyl Clothing
Follow these steps to eliminate sweat stains from vinyl clothing.
- Mix a few drops of ammonia into warm water.
- Soak a cloth in the warm soapy water and gently wipe the stained area.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
Other Ingredients That Can Help Eliminate Sweat Stains
Here are a few more ingredients that can help tackle stubborn stains.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice acts as a natural bleach, making it a powerful option for stain removal. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water, apply it to the stain, and let it sit in the sun for about an hour. Then wash the fabric as usual.
- Baking soda: Create a paste by mixing ½ cup (118 mL) of baking soda, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon (17 g) of salt. Apply this paste to the stain.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Combine equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water, then apply the solution to the stain. Note: Only use hydrogen peroxide on white clothing.
