We’ve all been there. You find the perfect white cotton t-shirt; it fits well, the print is clear and it’s that brilliant white only a freshly new tee can be. Then, after a few wears you find mysterious marks and stains you cannot explain. No matter how careful you are, how well you avoid tomato sauces, red wine and oil splashes; white t-shirts are a magnet for stains.
There are few things more soul destroying than plucking your freshly washed whites out of the laundry, only to find out that those stubborn stains haven’t shifted. It can feel as though your brand new white tee is ruined for good, but there is almost always a solution! So, in favour of promoting longevity, sustainability and extending the life of your new white cotton t-shirt, we have compiled a list of the most common stains and how to tackle them.
Want to l earn how to keep your white t-shirt white? Read through our comprehensive guide to removing the most stubborn stains that white t-shirts attract! Save for later, bookmark and share!
How to remove foundation stains from your clothing
It has happened to us all! No matter how widely you pull apart the crew neck on your t-shirt, you somehow manage to get makeup on the collar. Treating and removing foundation from your white cotton tee couldn’t be easier. As soon as you notice the stain (urgency is key!)
Step 1. Grab dish soap (washing up liquid) and gently spread/rub it onto the stain
Step 2. Wash as normal, but keep in mind that the hotter the wash, the better the chances of removing the stain
How to get rid of sweat stains
Sweat stains are more often than not, completely unavoidable so in addition to preventing them in the first place with antiperspirant (which isn’t always possible) you need a good sweat stain removal routine!
If you have outdoor space and it’s sunny outside…
Step 1. Soak in cold salt water
Step 2. Dry in the sunshine
If it’s not sunny or you have no outdoor space…
Step 1. Rub distilled white vinegar into the stains
Step 2. Wash as usual in your washing machine
Optional step: add distilled white vinegar to your detergent drawer
How to remove deodorant stains from the armpits of your white clothing
Whether you’re a natural deodorant aficionado or you prefer the classic stuff, antiperspirants and deodorants can often cause unsightly staining on your clothing. We recommend creating the following homemade stain removal paste to combat these common white t-shirt stains.
Pre-treatment: Soak your white t-shirt in distilled white vinegar and water for 30 mins
Step 1. In a clean bowl, mix hydrogen peroxide, salt, baking soda and water to a paste consistency
Step 2. Spread the stain removal paste onto the affected areas and leave to rest
Step 3. Gently rub the paste into the fabric with an old, clean toothbrush
Step 4. Wash as normal in your washing machine, on a hot setting.
How to remove coffee and tea stains from your clothing
Sometimes you just cannot avoid gesturing with a coffee or tea in hand! Removing the dreaded tea and coffee stains from your white tees could not be easier.
Step 1. Spot treat with distilled white vinegar
Step 2. Wash as usual!
How to remove red wine stains from your clothing
It feels like you only crave red wine when you’re wearing white. Forget worrying about wearing your brand new white baby tee to parties with the following simple stain removal steps.
Step 1. Mix laundry detergent and hydrogen peroxide in a clean bowl
Step 2. Grab a clean cloth or kitchen towel to gently blot away the stain
Step 3. Wash as usual
How to remove blood stains from your clothing
We don’t need to know how that blood got on your brand new tee, but we can help you remove the stain!
Step 1. Soak your white tee in a cold water and white vinegar solution
Step 2. Spot treat with hydrogen peroxide, pressing gently into the stain with a cotton pad or clean towel.
Step 3. Wash as usual!
How to remove oil stains from your clothing
Oil stains are possibly the most common stain, especially if you do a lot of cooking. Often, you don’t even realise you’ve splashed your brand new white t-shirt until later! Luckily, we have a few options to remove oil stains from your clothes.
If you splash yourself while cooking, quickly remove your tee and follow the below tips!
Tip 1. White chalk can soak up grease and oil if you manage to catch the oil splash while it is still wet!
Tip 2. Again, if the stain is still moist, grab some baking soda and sprinkle it liberally onto the oil splash to soak up the oil. Allow it to properly soak into the fabric before blotting excess oil and laundering as usual.
For older, stubborn, dried oil stains that have possibly even been through the wash cycle:
Step 1. Take a TINY amount of dish soap and rub it into the stain
Step 2. Mix some warm water and dish soap and take a teaspoon to drip the mixture onto the stain, rubbing it in with the back of the spoon
Step 3. Grab a clothes brush (or any brush with stiff bristles) and bash the stain as though you’re hammering a nail
Step 4. Take a small amount of laundry detergent on your finger and work it into the stain
Step 5. Wash and dry as usual!
How to remove tomato stains from clothes
In the same way that red wine only seems to appear when you’re wearing white, tomato sauce is a magnet for a crisp white cotton t-shirt. We have tried many stain removal ‘hacks’ over the years but this one is by far the most effective at removing tomato sauce stains from clothes.
Step 1. Now bear with us here! Dribble some dish soap onto the stain. Gab an ice cube from your freezer and work the dish soap into the stain with the ice cube
Step 2. Blot the stain with some white vinegar soaked into a clean cloth or kitchen towel
Step 3. Wash as usual!
How to remove lipstick from your clothing
Similar to foundation stains, we’re prone to getting lipstick on the collar of our white tees. The following tip will make sure you can easily remove that pillar box red lippie from your clean white cotton t-shirt.
Step 1. Dilute isopropyl alcohol with water in a clean bowl
Step 2. Using a clean cloth or kitchen towel, blot the stain with the diluted alcohol
Step 3. Wash as usual
In conclusion
Rather than despairing or buying a replacement tee, keeping your white t-shirts white and removing stubborn stains is simple with some very easy laundry tricks. By stocking up your cupboards with common household products, you can make sure your next red wine stain isn't a total disaster!
