Before You Begin

There are a few rules you should follow to remove stains from white clothes:

• Don’t wait. Act quickly to treat the stains.
• Blot or lift, don’t rub. Lift away as much of the stain maker as possible instead of rubbing the stain deeper into the fibers.
• Don’t make the stain larger. Always work from the outside of the stained area toward the center of the stain to prevent it from spreading.
• Don’t forget to check the stained area after washing and before you toss the clothes in the dryer. Heat will set the stain, making it more difficult or impossible to remove.

What to Consider When Removing Stains From White Shirts

Removing stains from white shirts follows the same rules as removing stains from colored clothes. Consider the type of fabric and the components of the stain. Always read the shirt’s care label and follow those guidelines. If you are a laundry novice and the label says “dry clean only”, lift away any stain solids from the fabric with a dull knife, blot the stain with some dry white paper towels, and head to a professional cleaner.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• 1 Washing machine, sink, or large plastic tub for hand-washing
• 1 Dryer, outdoor clothesline, or drying rack
• 1 Soft-bristled nylon scrub brush

Materials

• 1 container Enzyme-based heavy-duty laundry detergent
• 1 bottle Enzyme-based laundry stain remover
• 1 bottle Dishwashing liquid with degreaser
• 1 container Oxygen-based bleach powder
• 1 roll Paper towels
• 1 box Baking soda
• 1 bottle Hydrogen peroxide
• 1 box Cornstarch or talcum powder

Instructions

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Here are the top 6 most common stains on white shirts and how to remove them.

1. Oil or Grease

   • Blot oily stains with a white paper napkin or lift away greasy solids with a dull knife or credit card.
   • Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch or talcum powder to absorb as much oil as possible.
   • Place a small dab of a heavy-duty enzyme-based laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid that contains a degreaser, or an enzyme-based stain remover on the stain and work it in with your fingers or a soft-bristled nylon brush like an old toothbrush.
   • Let the stain remover work for at least 15 minutes.
   • Wash the white shirt as normal.
   • Check the stained area before adding the garment to the dryer. If the stain is still present, repeat the steps.

   

2. Red Wine

   • Blot the wine spill immediately with a dry white paper towel.
   • Dilute the tannins that cause the stain by holding the stained area under a faucet of cold water or dabbing it with a wet paper towel.
   • Make a paste of powdered oxygen-based bleach and a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for at least an hour.
   • Wash the white shirt as usual.
   • If the stain remains, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and warm water following the package directions. Submerge the entire shirt and let it soak for four to eight hours and then wash as usual.

   

3. Blood

   • Blot the stain with a dry paper towel.
   • Hold the stained area under a faucet of cold water to flush out the blood. Do not use hot water which will “cook” the proteins in the blood making them harder to remove.
   • Place a small dab of a heavy-duty enzyme-based laundry detergent or an enzyme-based stain remover on the stain and work it in with your fingers or a soft-bristled nylon brush like an old toothbrush.
   • Let the stain remover work for at least 15 minutes.
   • Wash the white shirt as usual.
   • Check the stained area before adding the garment to the dryer. If the stain is still present, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and warm water following the package directions. Submerge the entire shirt and let it soak for four to eight hours and then wash as usual.

   

4. Makeup

   • Lift away solids with a dull knife or credit card or blow away powdered makeup. Avoid rubbing since it pushes the makeup deeper into the fibers.
   • Place a small dab of a heavy-duty enzyme-based laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid with a degreaser, or an enzyme-based stain remover on the stain and work it in with your fingers or a soft-bristled nylon brush like an old toothbrush.
   • Let the stain remover work for at least 15 minutes.
   • Wash the white shirt as usual.
   • Check the stained area before adding the garment to the dryer. If the stain is still present, repeat the steps.

   

5. Tomato Sauce

   • Lift away solids with a dull knife or credit card and blot the stain with a dry white paper towel.
   • Place a small dab of a heavy-duty enzyme-based laundry detergent or an enzyme-based stain remover on the stain and work it in with your fingers or a soft-bristled nylon brush — an old toothbrush works great.
   • Let the stain remover work for at least 15 minutes.
   • Wash the white shirt as usual.
   • Check the stained area before adding the garment to the dryer. If the stain is still present, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and warm water following the package directions. Submerge the entire shirt and let it soak for four to eight hours and then wash as usual.

   

6. Underarm Stain

   • Mix one part baking soda, one part hydrogen peroxide, and one part water. A quarter cup of each for this mixture is enough to clean one shirt.
   • Rub the mixture thoroughly into the stained area with a soft-bristled nylon brush or an old toothbrush. Allow the item to sit with the solution for up to 30 minutes.
   • Wash the shirt as usual with heavy-duty laundry detergent in the warmest water setting that is safe for the fabric.

   

Additional Tips for Removing Stains From White Shirts

• Act as quickly as possible.
• Never put a stained shirt in a hot dryer.
• If you don’t have time to treat the stain right away, fill a sink with cool water and one tablespoon of heavy-duty laundry detergent. Submerge the shirt and let it soak until you have time to properly treat the stain and wash the shirt.
• Use oxygen-based bleach to whiten shirts that have yellowed or look dingy.