Summer puts the white T-shirt back in the spotlight, along with a not-so-glamorous mystery: stubborn underarm stains.
Between aluminum salts in deodorants, bacteria, and sweat, chemistry gets involved, as chemist Normand Voyer explains for Protégez-vous.
There is a fix: a few preventive steps, and a homemade recipe with baking soda, lemon juice, and water, popularized by @mama__x on TikTok, to restore cotton’s brightness.
Keeping whites pristine: a summer challenge under the arms
White T-shirts are summer staples—light and easy to pair. Their brightness, though, runs up against a stubborn problem: those yellow stains that appear under the arms. Why do they show up, and how can you remove them effectively? A closer look at a common phenomenon.
Understanding where yellow stains come from
These marks don’t come from sweat alone. According to chemist Normand Voyer, they result from a specific reaction: the interaction between aluminum salts found in certain deodorants and perspiration. The bacteria naturally present on the skin then intensify the process, setting the color into the fibers.
The effect is especially visible on white, which hides nothing. In summer, heat ramps up sweating and makes these marks more frequent, turning a flawless basic into a real laundry challenge.
Simple steps to prevent these marks
Prevention remains the best weapon. A few helpful habits:
- Apply deodorant in a thin layer to limit product buildup.
- Wait until it’s completely dry before getting dressed.
- Cut back on deodorants that contain aluminum salts, opting for more natural alternatives.
These small everyday habits can make a big difference and extend the life of your light-colored clothes.
A DIY trick to save your T-shirts
If the stains have already set, a user known as @mama__x on TikTok suggests a simple solution made with baking soda, lemon juice, and water. Accessible and inexpensive, this method delivers good results.
How to: mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, a few drops of lemon juice, and a little water to make a paste. Apply to the stained area, rub gently, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse. Finish with a machine wash. Always test on a small, hidden area before treating the whole garment.
Back to bright white
With these tips, you can keep a bright white and restore T-shirts to their original look, even on the hottest days, while keeping underarm marks at bay.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
