May 19, 2025, 1:17 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Sweat stains can be a nuisance from the moment they appear. If they persist even after washing clothes, they become particularly bothersome. Fortunately, there are home remedies that can effectively remove sweat stains.
In summer, sweating is unavoidable—fortunately, one might say. After all, sweat helps regulate the body’s temperature. If we didn’t sweat, the risk of overheating in high temperatures would be significant, as National Geographic reports. From an evolutionary perspective, it’s a great advantage that humans have sweat glands. Unfortunately, sweat–especially under the arms–can leave stains on clothing. Sometimes, simply washing clothes in the machine isn’t enough to remove them. The following home remedies can help successfully eliminate sweat stains.
Oxygen Bleach
Particularly for white fabrics, oxygen bleach is an effective home remedy for removing sweat stains–as well as other stains. For stubborn dirt, a cleaning bath is recommended: Dissolve some of the powder in water and soak the garment in the solution. After about an hour, the fabric can be removed—the sweat stains should already be gone. Then, wash and dry the clothing as usual in the washing machine.
As the name suggests, oxygen bleach has a bleaching effect. Therefore, caution is advised with colored or dark clothing. Instead of soaking the entire garment, dip a light cloth in the solution and gently dab the stain. Alternatively, use another home remedy.
Gall Soap
An age-old cleaning agent for stains in the laundry is gall soap. It’s made from curd soap and beef bile–hence the name. The enzymes contained in beef bile are particularly effective and remove even stubborn stains.
Gall soap is also helpful for sweat stains. To use it, dampen the affected area and work the soap in thoroughly. Then, wash the garment as usual in the washing machine. The advantage: Gall soap has no bleaching effect and is therefore suitable for colored and dark textiles.
Baking Powder
Baking powder and baking soda absorb fat and are therefore excellent for stain removal. Additionally, this home remedy has a slight bleaching effect—ideal for removing sweat stains from light-colored clothing.
Similar to oxygen bleach, you can prepare a bath and soak the garment in it. Alternatively, you can make a paste from water and baking powder, which is applied directly to the stain. Once the paste has dried, the clothing can be washed as usual.
Also interesting: This home remedy is a secret tip for removing stains
Baking Soda
Baking soda is known as an effective cleaning agent—it can also be helpful in removing sweat stains. To use it, make either a lye or a paste from soda and water. The paste is particularly good for treating stains directly: Simply apply, let it dry, and then wash the garment as usual in the washing machine.
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Citric Acid
Especially on light-colored clothing, sweat and deodorant often leave yellowish stains. To remove these, dilute citric acid with water and apply it directly to the affected area. It’s best to let the home remedy work overnight. Then, wash the clothing as usual in the washing machine.