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White clothes are almost everyone's favourite. Pair them with anything and they’ll look elegant. 

Until they get stained.

Once they get stained, it's often assumed that they are of no use. 

But that’s not the case. White clothes can be restored to their original shine and texture. You just need to understand the right cleaning methods to remove stains from white clothes. 

Read on to learn how to take the right steps against stains.

Table of Contents 

How to Identify Stains on White Clothes

Cleaning Methods to Remove Stains from White Clothes

Mistaks to Avoid When Removing Stains from White Clothes

Keep Your White Clothes Looking Brighter for Life

How to Remove Stains from White Clothes: Conclusion

How to Identify Stains on White Clothes

Before removing a stain, it's important to identify the type of stain. Different stains need different cleaning methods. If you use the wrong method, the stain becomes harder to remove. 

Take a look at the stain. Some of the most common types of stains on white clothes are:

• Sweat or Yellow Stains: You’ll mostly see these around the underarms, collars, or neck area. They appear slowly over time but can be hard to clean.

• Grease or Oil Stains: These are light, shiny spots, caused by items like food, butter, or oil. They can be tough to spot at first.

• Ink Stains: Usually from pens leaking in your pocket or on sleeves. They’re dark and hard to remove.

• Coffee or Tea Stains: These are brown stains that occur if you spill tea or coffee. Blood Stains: Dark red or brown marks. It’s best to clean them quickly before they become permanent.

Knowing what you’re dealing with helps you clean it the right way, so don’t skip this step!

Cleaning Methods to Remove Stains from White Clothes

After identifying the stain type, select an appropriate cleaning method based on the stain type.

Below, we share the most accurate methods for each type of stain. 

Remove Sweat Stains from White Clothes

To remove sweat stains, you'll need two things: baking soda and lemon juice.

And here's the step-by-step process of removing sweat stains from white clothes

• Mix equal parts of lemon juice, baking soda, and water to form a smooth paste.

• Spread the lemon + baking soda paste right on the yellow stain.

• Use a toothbrush or sponge to rub it in. This helps remove the sweat and deodorant marks.

• Leave the paste on the cloth for at least 30 minutes.

• First, wash with cold water. Later, you can use hot water if needed.

This method works well on dull yellow areas around the neck and armpits

Remove Grease Stains from White Clothes

Grease stains are caused by food spills, curry, butter, and frying oil stains. To remove grease/oil stains, you'll need dishwashing liquid and the following process: 

• Use a tissue or paper towel to blot the excess oil from the fabric. Don’t rub it, it spreads the stain.

• Squeeze a few drops of dishwashing liquid directly on the greasy area.

• Use your fingers or a soft brush to rub the soap on the stain.

• Leave the dish soap on the stain for 15-30 minutes. (Longer time helps break down the grease better.)

• Put the cloth in the washing machine and wash it with warm water. After washing, check if the stain is gone before putting it in the dryer.

• If the stain still exists, repeat the process before drying. (Drying with a stain can make it harder to remove later.)

Remove Ink Stains from White Clothes

To remove ink stains, you'll need one of two things: Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. 

Here’s the step-by-step process to remove ink stains from white clothes

• Place a clean paper towel under the stained area.

• Dab rubbing alcohol (or gel sanitiser) on the ink stain using a cotton ball

• Continue dabbing and avoid rubbing until the ink starts to transfer to the paper towel.

• Rinse with cold water and then wash. 

Make sure to avoid heat until the ink is completely gone. 

Remove Coffee Stains from White Clothes

Here, you would need white vinegar and cold water. 

Here’s the step-by-step process for removing coffee stains from white clothes

• Put the stained part under cold water (from the back side). Do this for 10–15 minutes until the coffee fades.

• Put a few drops of detergent or dish soap on the stain. Rub gently.

• If it’s a new stain, leave for 3–5 minutes.

• If it’s old, soak it for 30 minutes and rub a little in between. Use vinegar paste if needed. 

• Mix detergent powder, vinegar, and water. Make a paste and gently rub with an old toothbrush. Then rinse it.

• Wash the cloth as usual. Don’t put it in the dryer unless the stain is fully gone.

Remove Blood Stains from White Clothes

Here, you'll need cold water, liquid soap or detergent, hydrogen peroxide (optional), and oxygen bleach (for old stains).

Here’s the step-by-step process for removing blood stains from white clothes 

• Rinse the stain with cold water to remove as much blood as you can.

• Rub liquid soap on the stain and gently scrub with your fingers.

• If the stain stays, pour a little hydrogen peroxide on it, let it bubble, then rinse.

• For old stains, soak the cloth in warm water with oxygen bleach for a few hours.

• Wash the cloth in cold water. Don’t dry until the stain is fully gone.

Bonus Tip: For delicate white clothing (like silk or wool), it’s better to visit a professional cleaner like Steam Masters

Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Stains from White Clothes

• Don’t rub too hard. It damages the cloth and makes the stain bigger. 

• Don’t use hot water on stains like blood, sweat, or milk; it sets the stain.

• Always test a small hidden part of the cloth first, before using any cleaner. This is to avoid harming the fabric.

Keep Your White Clothes Looking Brighter for Life

• Wash whites separately: Don’t mix with dark clothes.

• Use a whitening booster: Once a month (like a baking soda soak)

• Air-dry in sunlight: Natural UV rays help remove dullness

• Avoid overusing fabric softener: It can leave residue

How to Remove Stains from White Clothes: Conclusion

Keeping white clothes spotless can feel like a challenge, but with the right methods and a little patience, most stains can be removed effectively. 

From everyday spills to stubborn marks, using the appropriate cleaning techniques, like pretreating, using baking soda or vinegar, and choosing the right detergent. 

Remember, the sooner you act on a stain, the better are your chances of removing it. With these tips in hand, you can confidently keep your whites looking bright, fresh, and stain-free.