Can I Bleach Yellowing Shirts?

Using Bleach

• It may seem like common sense that the best treatment for a stain or yellowing shirt, especially on white cotton fabric, is to clean it with bleach. In fact, when the chlorine in household bleach reacts with the protein in the sweat, it makes the stain even darker. To avoid the stains turning a mustard color, do not use bleach.

Cleaning Yellowed Shirts

• Aside from treating yellow stains with an oxygenated or protein-based detergent, remove them from a shirt with one of several natural options. Dampen the affected area of the shirt and treat with laundry detergent, then set it in the sun. Mist the shirt frequently to keep it moist. Let the shirt sit for a full afternoon, then launder at cool temperature and let it air dry. For white-colored fabrics, hydrogen peroxide works to remove perspiration stains. Combine equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide and pour over the stain. Let it soak for 30 minutes then wash in cool water and air dry. Repeat this process with a stronger concentration of peroxide, if needed.

  Because peroxide whitens in the same manner as chlorine bleach, do not use this option on colored fabrics. Instead, clean colored fabrics with vinegar and water. Combine one tablespoon of white vinegar with 1/2 cup of water. Let the shirt soak for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash on cool. A final option is to combine one tablespoon of cream of tartar with three white, crushed aspirins and one cup of warm water. Make this into a paste and apply to the stain with an old toothbrush. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and launder as usual.

Cause

• Perspiration is the cause of yellow stains on shirts. Shirt collars and the armpit area are the most commonly affected areas. Sometimes the stains that appear in the armpit area are confused with stains caused by antiperspirant or deodorants. Yellow stains caused by sweat have a yellow and almost crispy texture. Stains caused by deodorants are white or clear in color, have a greasy texture and must be treated as a grease stain.

Fabrics

• While this method is effective, it's also harsh on some fabrics. Wool and silk are cleaned best by a professional. For all other fabric types, test an inconspicuous area of the garment to ensure the fabric can withstand the treatment.