How To: Get out perspiration stains

It's easy to make those telltale sweat spots disappear if you know what to use on them. Don't throw away those white shirts, learn how to get rid of sweat stains instead.

You Will Need
* Liquid laundry detergent
* White vinegar or ammonia
* Clean sponges
* A clean, white cloth

Step 1: Pretreat underarm areas
Always gently rub a little liquid detergent into the underarm areas of shirts before washing, as a preventive measure.
*Tip: To prevent the sweat build up that leads to stains, wash your tops in the hottest water they can stand every third or fourth time you launder them.

Step 2: Dissolve stains
If you see a stain, skip the detergent pretreatment and sponge the area with white vinegar or ammonia instead. Then launder as usual.
*Tip: Tackle perspiration stains as soon as you notice them. If left untreated for several days, they may become permanent.

Step 3: Treat fresh deodorant stains
For fresh underarm stains caused by a mix of sweat and deodorant or antiperspirant, mix one part commercial spot-treatment with two parts warm water and sponge it onto the dry fabric. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat as needed.

Step 4: Tackle dried-on spots
If the deodorant stain is dried on, place the item, stain-side down, on a clean, absorbent cloth and sponge diluted spot-remover onto the reverse side of the fabric. Let it dry, rinse thoroughly, and repeat as needed.

Step 5: Wash in hot water
When you've removed as much of the stain as you can, gently rub some liquid detergent into the stain and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

*Fact
Perspiration itself is odorless. It's the combination of bacteria on the skin and sweat that produces a bad smell.