I’m a cleaning expert – my six tips for removing sweat stains from clothes, including the best way to dry your laundry
AS the weather continues to get warmer, you may find that your favorite T-shirt has developed unsightly pit stains.
A clothing expert has revealed the six best ways to remove sweat stains from your tees.
Alex Econs, the founder and CEO of T-shirt company ICON Printing, shared his expertise when it comes to prolonging the life of your clothes in hot weather.
For his first tip, Alex recommended acting sooner rather than later when you notice a sweat stain.
“Sweat stains are harder to remove the longer you leave them. The best thing to do is wash your T-shirt as quickly as possible after wearing it,” he advised.
Alex continued: “Try not to let the sweat sit around for more than a few days or it will be tougher to get rid of.”
He also emphasized the importance of spot-treating stains before washing your garment.
The expert explained: “Focus any laundry detergent or stain remover on the affected area of the T-shirt first before washing the entire garment.
“Not only will this save you money as it reduces the amount of product used but it will give it time to work on lifting the stain properly before the whole T-shirt is washed,” Alex said.
According to the entrepreneur, “prevention is better than the cure” when it comes to cleaning your clothes.
He said: “Try switching your deodorant to an aluminum-free product. [Sweat] stains are caused by a chemical reaction between your deodorant and your sweat.”
Alex advised: “If you are able to find a natural deodorant that works for you then you will be able to reduce the amount of washing to be done.”
The clothing expert also shared a natural cleaning solution for tackling sweat stains.
“If the T-shirt is still yellowed after spot treating pretreating and washing the item, try a natural vinegar-based solution first. This will be more gentle on the garment and on the environment,” he said.
The solution consists of half a teaspoon of washing powder, a quarter cup of white vinegar, and a quarter cup of cool water.
“Apply this like you did when you spot-treated the item but this time lightly brush it into the stained area and then wash the T-shirt right away,” Alex said.
If your stain is more stubborn, the expert suggests soaking your clothing item.
Alex explained: “Try using a laundry detergent-based solution first which is less risky and is less likely to damage any printing or patterns on the T-shirt first.
“If this just won’t cut it, a sodium-based laundry-safe bleach solution might be what you need to tackle the toughest stains,” he added.
The clothing expert also recommended reading the care label on each product before taking any action.
Finally, Alex shared an easy way to tackle discoloration from stains through drying.
He said: “One of the simplest but most effective ways of keeping your white T-shirts bright is to dry them outside if possible.
“It isn’t just an old wives tale. The sun will naturally bleach any discoloration lightening any stains and keeping the T-shirt whiter for longer,” Alex added.