It is inevitable that you will have unfortunate stains on your clothing. From coffee spills to grease splatters and even those annoying yellow stains left from perspiration. Sweat stains can be incredibly stubborn stains. While most other stains can be easily scrubbed out with regular detergent or spot treatments, sweat stains tend to seep deeper into the fabrics. To get armpit stains out of shirts may take a little more effort, but there are a number of household items you can use and try to remove these stubborn stains. Read on to learn the possible methods.

How to Get Armpit Stains Out of Shirts

1. Tenderizer

It might not be your go-to method for cleaning those stains out of your shirts, but meat tenderizer can help. Before putting the shirt into the washer, wet the stained area first and sprinkle the meat tenderizer over it. Let it sit for a minute and then wash as normal.

2. Dishwashing soap

Try scrubbing the stain out by using dish soap with hydrogen peroxide. Use the two in equal parts and scrub into the yellow areas. Allow the shirt to sit for at least an hour before washing. The dish soap will help clean the stain while the peroxide helps whiten the area.

3. Salt

Salt is a common household item that you can also use to help turn those yellow stains white. In one liter of hot water, dissolve four tablespoons of salt. Use a sponge to apply this solution to the stained area and work it in until the stain is gone.

4. Lemon juice

You can use a lemon juice and water mixture to help remove stains from clothing. The acid from the lemon juice can help reduce the appearance of yellow stains. Mix together equal parts of warm water with fresh lemon juice and scrub into the discolored area.

5. Undiluted vinegar

Applying undiluted vinegar to stained areas can help whiten yellow marks on shirts. Vinegar can be used as a strong acidic treatment to reduce the appearance of sweat stains. Simply pour the vinegar directly on the area, let it sit for a few minutes, then wash as you normally would. This method for how to get armpit stains out of shirts isn't just effective for sweat stains. Gently rubbing vinegar into areas that have deodorant stains will also help remove the residue.

6. Aspirin

Soak the stained shirt in a half a cup of warm water with two crushed aspirins dissolved in it. Let the shirt soak for at least two hours and then wash as you normally would.

7. Baking soda

Baking soda is a multipurpose common household item that can be used to help remove stubborn stains. Create a paste using four tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of lukewarm water and pre-treat stains by rubbing this paste into the affected areas. Allow the paste to dry for about two hours, then wash with the rest of your laundry.

8. Ammonia

Before throwing out your stained shirt, try using a mixture of half strength ammonia and water. Dab the stained area with the mixture, then wash.

9. Wash in cold water

Using hot water during the washing cycle can actually help set stains even more. Instead, rinse the stained clothes under cold water and then wash stained clothing in cold water.

10. Stain remover

Using stain removers can help break up those tough yellow sweat stains. Choose one that you can use directly on the shirt as well as one that you can add to the washing cycle to get rid of really deep stains.

How to Prevent Armpit Sweat and Stains

1. Antiperspirants

To avoid having to figure out how to get armpit stains out of shirts, using an antiperspirant can help stop the stains from forming. Unlike deodorants, antiperspirants help block the sweat glands from producing sweat not just mask the odor from sweating. Antiperspirants will typically contain aluminum chlorohydrate. It is best to apply antiperspirants to dry skin before bed which will help stop sweating more effectively.

2. Avoid eating or drinking items that can promote sweating

Certain foods can increase the amount of sweat your body produces. Spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods all contribute to an increase in sweating. Hot beverages, like teas and coffee, can also increase sweating as they increase the internal body temperature. To help reduce sweating, you'll want to avoid these types of foods and beverages while being sure to drink more water. Drinking enough water during the day can help reduce sweating because it keeps your body temperature cool.

3. Anxiety treatment

When you feel anxious, your body's natural response is often triggered to produce more sweat. This nervous sweating can cause a different type of sweat that makes the stains even more difficult to get out. If you suffer from regular anxiety attacks, it is best to get help in learning how to manage this problem. Speaking to your doctor or a mental health care provider can give you various options of how to cope and gain control over your anxiety. Once you gain control over the anxiety, you will reduce the nervous sweating that occurs.

4. Talk to your doctor

How to get armpit stains out of shirts and how to avoid them may mean seeking additional treatments. While it is perfectly normal and healthy to sweat, excess sweating can be a sign that there is a medical condition that needs to be addressed. Speaking to your doctor about your concerns will allow you to learn additional options such as prescription strength antiperspirants, therapy or even Botox injections.