Understanding Stains on White Shirts
Wearing white can be daunting because a simple spill can turn your favorite shirt into a stained mess. Whether it’s tomato sauce, blue pen, or red wine, stains can often seem like a lost cause. However, with effective methods, you can remove stains and restore your shirts to their former glory.
Meet the Expert: Marilee Nelson
Marilee Nelson, co-founder of the nontoxic cleaning brand Branch Basics, offers expert guidance on removing stubborn stains. Her techniques focus on using everyday household items to treat various types of stains.
How to Remove Common Stains
Coffee, Tea, and Fruit Juice Stains
Tannins in these beverages can leave lasting marks. Start by mixing one tablespoon of white vinegar with one teaspoon of castile soap. Soak your white shirt for 30 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda or oxygen bleach onto the stain, gently agitate, then wash in cold water. Repeat as needed.
Red Wine or Rosé Stains
If wine spills, quickly dab it with a damp white cloth. Create a cleaning mix of ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, two tablespoons of castile soap, and lemon essential oil, then spray and agitate the stain. For stubborn stains, apply baking soda or hydrogen peroxide and repeat the process.
Dirt, Mud, or Grass Stains
For outdoor stains, spray a DIY all-purpose cleaning solution and let it sit. Tough stains might require soaking overnight. Next day, wash normally in the machine.
Blood Stains
Blood binds strongly to fabric. Rinse the stain with cold water immediately, gently rubbing the fabric. Spray an all-purpose stain remover and apply hydrogen peroxide. Let sit before rinsing again with cold water.
Fruit and Tomato Sauce Stains
Wet the stain with cold water immediately. Spray a cleaning solution and agitate gently. If the stain persists, soak overnight in a mix of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or oxygen booster.
Chocolate Stains
Remove excess chocolate by dabbing with a cloth. Spray an all-purpose stain remover, then soak the garment in baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or an oxygen boost mixture overnight.
Makeup Stains
Mix one teaspoon each of laundry detergent, baking soda, and cold water to make a paste. Rub onto makeup stains, and soak overnight in a solution of hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda if necessary.
Sweat and Deodorant Stains
Sweat stains are noticeable on white shirts. Mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and castile soap. Apply the mixture, let sit for two hours, then wash in a cold cycle to remove yellow stains.
The Bottom Line
While not every stain can be completely removed, immediate action can significantly reduce its appearance. Each stain type requires specific treatment methods. Before discarding a beloved white shirt, try these expert cleaning techniques to give it a second chance.
