Home Garden

How to Clean Yellowed Clothing

Several things cause yellow stains on clothing, including perspiration, urine and spills that dry and oxidize during storage. Using bleach will remove yellow stains from white clothing, but will also weaken the fabric and is not an option for colored garments. Remove yellow stains from your clothing in the washing machine with the correct products that are available at your local grocery store, or on a bathroom shelf.

Things You'll Need

  • Liquid laundry soap
  • Plastic scrub brush
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • 1 tbsp. white vinegar
  • Plastic bucket
  • 1/4 cup oxygen bleach powder
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the garment onto a flat surface. Pour liquid laundry soap directly onto each yellow stain. Work the soap into the stain with a plastic scrub brush and allow it to remain for 10 to 15 minutes.

    • 2

      Create a mixture of 1 gallon warm water and 1 tbsp. white vinegar in a plastic bucket. Throw the pre-treated garment into the bucket and allow it to remain for 30 minutes. The white vinegar will begin to naturally bleach the yellow stains from the garment.

    • 3

      Remove the garment from the bucket, gently squeeze out any excess liquid and throw it into the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup liquid laundry soap and 1/4 cup oxygen bleach powder to the washing machine. The oxygen bleach powder is safe for use on colored fabrics as well.

    • 4

      Wash the yellowed garment according to the label's direction. Remove the garment and hang it outside in the sun to dry. The sun's rays will gently remove any remaining yellowing.