Yellow stains on white shirts can be a real eyesore. They often appear under the armpits, a result of the chemical reaction between sweat and the aluminum found in some deodorants. But don’t despair! A popular TikTok cleaning hack promises to banish these unsightly stains for good.
The magic lies in a simple combination of three common kitchen staples: washing up liquid, bicarbonate of soda, and distilled white vinegar. This trio, dubbed the “holy trinity” of cleaning by author and home hack guru Laura de Barra, forms the perfect stain-busting tonic.
Here’s how to conquer those yellow stains:
1.
Prep the Shirt:
Turn the shirt inside out, and use cold water throughout the process. Hot water can set stains deeper into the fabric.2.
Washing Up Liquid Power:
Apply washing up liquid directly to the stained area and rub it in to create a foam. This step helps remove any lingering products like body lotion and deodorant.3.
Vinegar Soak:
Rinse the washing up liquid off with cold water. Then, mix two parts water and one part vinegar in a bowl. Submerge the armpit of the shirt in the mixture and let it sit for about an hour.4.
Bicarbonate of Soda Treatment:
While the shirt is soaking, make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, similar to a face mask consistency. Apply this paste generously to the stain. Bicarbonate of soda is known for its stain-removing properties, drawing out discoloration from the fabric. Allow the paste to sit for at least an hour, or longer for stubborn stains.5.
Fizzy Finale:
After the bicarb paste has done its magic, return the shirt to the vinegar solution. This creates a fizzy reaction that helps release any remaining trapped stain particles.6.
Final Rinse and Wash:
Rinse the shirt thoroughly with cold water. If any discoloration remains, especially around the seams, repeat the process, focusing on those areas. Once you’re satisfied with the results, wash the shirt as usual.Laura de Barra’s viral TikTok video has garnered rave reviews from viewers, who are impressed by the effectiveness of this simple and eco-friendly hack. Many are eager to try it out on their own stained whites. So ditch the harsh chemicals and give this easy, natural method a try – your shirts will thank you!
