After a few washes, our white clothes look somehow stained and become covered in a gray haze - pretty frustrating, right? How to remove yellow stains from T-shirt? What are the best tricks and home remedies to get yellowed clothes white again?
White is THE summer color par excellence and radiates freshness and purity. Whether it's T-shirts, dresses, blouses or bed linen - if white clothing is washed often or sits unused in the basement or closet for several months, it turns yellow and no longer looks as nice. Decolorizers or other products from the drugstore are always a safe choice for making yellowed clothing white again. Unfortunately, these are often full of chemicals and quite expensive. But you don't need to, because there are many effective home remedies that will help remove yellow stains from T-shirts.
Why do white clothes turn yellow?
There are many reasons why our white laundry turns gray and yellows over time. Before we explain to you how to remove yellow stains from T-shirts, we will first tell you the most common causes.
Sweat and deodorant
Yellow stains are not uncommon, especially on white sports shirts. First, let's make something clear - sweat itself does not cause yellowed clothing. Yellow stains on T-shirts are caused by a chemical reaction between the deodorant you use and your sweat. Aluminum-based deodorants interact with urea (a nitrogen-containing compound found in sweat) and the result is unsightly, yellowish sweat stains. To avoid this and keep your white t-shirts looking fresh, use aluminum-free deodorants.
The wrong amount of detergent
Yes, the amount of detergent you use can also cause yellowed clothes. If you use too little of it, the stains cannot be washed out. And too much detergent can leave residue. So always follow the recommended amount on the packaging.
Too much bleach
It may sound contradictory, but it's actually true - if you often use too much bleach when washing, over time some stains will form and your clothes will become gray. Luckily, this error can be easily corrected by always following the instructions on the packaging.
Cigarettes/nicotine
We don't have to explain to you that smoking is harmful to our health. And if you haven't stopped yet, maybe now is the perfect time to do so. Nicotine and cigarette smoke are actually one of the most common reasons for yellowed clothing. Even your walls will appear yellowish and stained over time.
Remove yellow stains on T-shirts: These home remedies work
Forget the overpriced and environmentally harmful products from the drugstore! Luckily, there are many great tips and home remedies to remove yellow stains on T-shirts. And the best part? We're pretty sure you already have most of these in your house.
Hot water and baking soda
With this we can bake cakes,clean the toilet seatand much more – baking powder is a real all-rounder and a great household helper. So it's no wonder that we can also use it to remove yellow stains from T-shirts. The hot water and baking soda method is best for cotton or polyester garments and is ideal for treating stubborn stains. To do this, mix 1 liter of hot water with 2 packs of baking soda in the bathtub or sink and soak the yellowed clothing for at least 30 minutes. Then put the clothes in the washing machine and wash with an enzyme-free detergent.
You can make yellowed clothes white again more easily and quickly by adding 2 packs of baking soda to the detergent or directly into the drum before washing.
Citric acid against yellow stains on T-shirts
Citric acid is also a super effective home remedy for making yellowed clothes white again. However, this method is a little more aggressive and therefore not suitable for garments made of satin or silk. If there are buttons made of mother-of-pearl or metal, you should make sure that they do not come into contact with the citric acid. Dissolve about 2 tablespoons of powdered citric acid in one liter of hot water. Place the yellowed clothing in it and soak for 24 hours. If the stains are too severe, you can increase the amount of citric acid.
Apple cider vinegar
Whether for descaling, decalcifying or removing yellow stains from T-shirts – similar to baking powder, apple cider vinegar is a real all-rounder in the household. If you would like to make your white clothes shine again, then mix 100 ml of apple cider vinegar with 1 liter of water in the bathtub or sink and soak the clothes for at least 30 minutes. It is verystubborn yellow spots, you can increase the bleaching effect by adding 30-40 grams of sea salt to the vinegar mixture. Alternatively, you can mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle in a 2:1 ratio and spray the yellow stains with it. Then rinse the clothing with warm water and wash with a heavy-duty detergent.
Treat yellowed clothing with vodka
How to remove yellow stains on a T-shirt with vodka – who would have thought? Vodka not only tastes good in cocktails, but is also a very versatile home remedy. Not only can you use this to make yellowed clothes white again, but you can also get rid of unpleasant rumors. The drink kills bacteria without leaving a strong smell. To do this, mix equal parts water and vodka in a spray bottle or sink and soak the clothing for 40 to 60 minutes. Then rinse with cold water and wash in the washing machine as usual.
toothpaste
Toothpaste is a great home remedy to make your white clothes white again, especially for smaller and not too severe yellow stains. Very important – first make sure that the toothpaste is only white and does not contain any dyes. Take a toothbrush and apply some toothpaste. Then brush the stains well and let them rest for 30-40 minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat the process if necessary.
Remove yellow spots with eggshells
And here comes a trick that we already know from our grandmas. In addition to working as a fertilizer, eggshells can actually help remove yellow stains on t-shirts. To do this, crush a handful of eggshells and place them in a small nylon stocking or burlap bag. Close the bag tightly and then put it in the laundry.
Milch
Milk is also a real insider tip for yellow stains on clothing. In contrast to citric acid or baking soda, it is much gentler and can even be used to treat delicate fabrics such as satin and silk. To do this, mix 200 ml of water with 400 ml of milk and soak the yellowed clothing for at least 1 hour. Then rinse with warm water and wash in the washing machine with heavy-duty detergent. The milk bath as a home remedy for yellow stains doesn't just work on our clothes - you can even use it to clean yellowed curtains.
Silbershampoo
Many users on TikTok swear by silver shampoo as a home remedy for yellow stains on T-shirts. Just like a yellow tinge in your hair disappears in no time, silver shampoo is said to help with yellowed clothing. How does that work? First soak the clothes in lukewarm water, add some silver shampoo and scrub well with your hands. Then rinse with cold water and wash in the washing machine. If you have stubborn stains, you can soak the clothing for around 10 minutes. But don't exceed this time, otherwise your white T-shirt will end up with a gray cast.
Prevention is always better than cure. And that's exactly why we have a few useful tips for you on how you can avoid yellow spots.
- Wash your white clothes regularly and always use a special program for white laundry. It is best to wash white synthetic or linen laundry using the delicates program at a maximum temperature of 40 degrees.
- Always sort your clothes and always wash delicate items separately.
- Make sure laundry is completely dry before putting it in the closet.
- Always store your white clothing in a cool, dry and dark place - the basement or garage would not be a good choice.
Also read:How to remove curry stains? You can do it with these home remedies!
Washing white laundry: How to do it right
To avoid having to deal with yellowed clothing, it is important to know how to wash white laundry correctly. Because firstthrough appropriate careyou can prevent dirt from getting stuck in your clothes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when washing white clothes.
- Always wash white laundry with other white clothing.
- It would be best if you always use powder detergent that also contains bleach. Also stick to the recommended dosage on the packaging.
- Always follow the recommended temperature information on the label.
- Never overload the washing machine.
- You should first treat severely yellowed clothing and preferably wash it separately. If your laundry is very dirty, we recommend putting fewer laundry items in the washing machine.
