I like evening strolls which normally ends with me at a fruit stand. I don’t just buy and rush off, I haggle with the fruit vendor for a while till I’m satisfied with quality + quantity, especially when I’m buying banana.
On a recent stroll, the vendor was wearing a blue blouse and black skirt, knee length, she stretched her hands to adjust the apples as another customer had just disorganized her arrangements and I could not help but notice the yellow stain on the armpit of her blouse. It took every atom of my being for the inner laundress in me to keep my thoughts to myself.
These yellow stains are a result of the chemical reaction between our sweat and anti-perspirants. Antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds which reduce wetness, when the compounds build up on clothing, the end results are the unsightly yellow stains.
The easiest way to prevent yellow stains is to wear an undershirt which is highly unlikely for women. Start reading anti-perspirant labels, to choose the one with the lowest amount of aluminum while still providing the moisture protection you need. It is also helpful to allow your anti-perspirant dry before getting dressed.
Anytime this situation (yellow stains) occurs launder the blouse or shirt as soon as possible. Should you notice the onset of yellow stains, refrain from putting the cloth in the dryer, as the heat will allow the stains to set, making them impossible to remove. Drying the shirts/blouse in the sun will help whiten them.
How To Get Rid Of It
- Add a table spoon of vinegar to one cup of water and apply to stains, rub gently, allow it seat for 30 minutes and
- Use lemon as a stain Squeeze the juice into equal parts water, rub into stains and toss in the wash.
If one spot treatment is enough, double up!
Washing Tip: Do not reach for bleach! Chlorine bleach can actually have the opposite effect by making sweat stains appear darker.
Yellow stains are usually invisible on darker colors, but you will know they are there if u notice certain stiffness in the underarm of the fabric. To freshen clothing fill washing machine with cold water, add a cup of white vinegar, allow to soak for 30 minutes before emptying the water and laundering the clothes as usual.
Being in the warm weather climate, we’ll definitely have our share of sweaty and smelly clothes. Use these tips to keep yours fresh or let LAUNDIFY do it for you.
