Who hasn’t had a headache when seeing yellow stains on shirts, white shirts or bed sheets that don’t go away completely even after washing? Yellow stains on collars, armpits or on white fabrics over time not only make clothes look unsightly but also make clothes look old and unclean. The cause of yellow stains on white clothes can come from sweat, dirt, deodorants, or improper washing and drying. However, don’t rush to throw away yellowed white clothes; there are actually many simple and effective ways to deal with these stubborn stains right at home. Below, Green Laundry has compiled tips for dealing with yellow stains on white clothes, divided into groups according to ingredients and effectiveness, to help readers easily choose and apply them immediately.
1. Use Baking Soda To Remove Yellow Stains
Baking soda is a chemical compound commonly known in Vietnam as baking soda or baking powder. It is a white solid, slightly salty, usually in the form of a fine powder, alkaline and widely used in baking, beauty, medicine, and as a detergent.
How to do:
- Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 liter of warm water.
- Soak the stained white clothes in the solution for 30-60 minutes.
- Use a soft brush to gently scrub the stained area.
- Wash as usual and dry in a cool place, away from strong sunlight.
Tip:
If the stain is stubborn, mix baking soda with a little water to form a thick mixture, apply directly to the stain and leave for about 15 minutes before washing. This method not only helps to fade yellow stains but also deodorizes sweat, keeping white clothes clean, bright and lightly fragrant like new.

2. Use White Vinegar
White vinegar is an extremely easy-to-find ingredient that can soften fabric fibers and brighten white clothes very effectively. This is a simple method that almost every household can apply.
How to do it:
- Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:2 ratio.
- Soak yellowed clothes or bedding in the mixture for about 30-60 minutes.
- Then wash again with regular detergent or laundry detergent.
Small note:
- Do not use vinegar with water that is too hot, because high temperatures can weaken the fabric fibers.
- For yellow stains on the collar or armpits of shirts, you can apply white vinegar directly to the stained area, leave it for about 10 minutes, then wash it clean.
- White vinegar not only helps remove yellow stains but also softens the fabric fibers, keeping white clothes soft, bright, clean and comfortable like the first wash.

3. Use Fresh Lemon, A Mild Bleaching Agent, And Natural Deodorizer
Fresh lemons contain natural citric acid, which can break down the molecules that cause yellow stains on fabric fibers, helping to gently clean and brighten white clothes. This is an extremely effective tip that is still safe for your hands and fabric.
How to do it:
- Cut a few slices of fresh lemon, put them in a pot of water and bring to a boil.
- Soak the yellowed clothes or bedding in warm lemon water for about 1 hour.
- Rinse with cold water and dry in a cool place.
Small tip:
If the stain only appears in a small area (such as the collar or armpit), you can squeeze lemon juice directly onto the stain, sprinkle a little salt, and then rub gently with your hands or a soft brush. The acid in the lemon combined with salt will quickly remove yellow stains without using strong chemicals.

4. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is commonly used in medicine to disinfect wounds, but few people know that it is also a mild natural bleach, very effective in removing yellow stains on old white clothes.
How to do:
- Mix hydrogen peroxide with water in a ratio of 1:3.
- Soak white clothes in the solution for about 30 minutes.
- Then rinse with normal water and dry in a cool, airy place.
Note:
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide too often, because long-term use can weaken and harden the fabric fibers.
- Only apply to completely white fabrics; avoid using it with patterned or colored items because it can easily cause color fading.
→ This is an extremely effective solution for white clothes that have turned yellow over time, helping them to return to their bright, clean state without using strong bleach.

5. Use Toothpaste
Few people expect that toothpaste, a familiar item in every household, can become an effective ingredient in cleaning light yellow stains on white clothes. Thanks to its ultra-fine cleaning particles and mild detergent, toothpaste helps remove dirt and sweat that have accumulated over time while still maintaining the softness and durability of the fabric fibers.
How to do it:
- Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to the stained area of the fabric.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub for about 5 minutes.
- Then rinse with warm water, wring lightly and dry in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.
- This method is especially useful for stains on collars, sleeves, or scarf necks.
Although not as strong as baking soda, toothpaste is a safe, easy-to-use solution, extremely suitable when you need to quickly handle newly appeared stains.

6. Baking Soda + White Vinegar Combination – Recipe For Heavy Stains
This is a method for stubborn yellow stains that cannot be removed with conventional methods. The combination of baking soda and white vinegar creates a natural fizzing reaction, helping to break down stubborn dirt and stains on fabric fibers.
How to do it:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to create a slightly effervescent mixture.
- Apply directly to the yellow stain, leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Use a soft brush to scrub gently, then rinse with water as usual.
Note:
- Should not be applied to thin, easily scratched fabrics or items with colored patterns.
- Test on a small corner first to ensure material safety.
- This formula helps to quickly remove stubborn yellow stains, restoring white items to their natural, pure brightness, without using industrial bleach that is harmful to fabrics and hands.

7. Mistakes That Cause Yellow Stains To Return After Washing
Many people can handle yellow stains, but after only a few wears, the problem returns. The cause is not actually the detergent, but the habit of washing and drying clothes incorrectly.
Some common mistakes include:
- Not washing immediately after sweating or using deodorant: Sweat combined with aluminum in deodorant will create a chemical reaction, causing stubborn yellow stains in the armpit or collar area.
- Using too much detergent: Excess detergent that does not dissolve completely will stick to the fabric. When exposed to high temperatures, they oxidize and turn the fabric yellow.
- Drying in strong sunlight: Strong UV rays cause remaining dirt to oxidize faster, causing white fabrics to easily discolor and dry out.
- Ironing clothes that are not completely dry: Moisture combined with high temperatures “locks” remaining stains, making it more difficult to remove later.
- To keep white clothes bright and durable, in addition to proper treatment, you need to change your daily laundry habits to be more scientific.
8. How To Prevent Yellow Stains On White Clothes
To avoid yellow stains, you should pay attention from the washing to drying stage. Here are some simple tips to help prevent yellow stains from the beginning:
- Wash white clothes separately; do not wash with colored clothes to avoid color bleeding.
- Use neutral detergent; limit strong detergents that weaken the fabric and make it easy to turn yellow.
- Do not leave damp clothes in the washing machine for too long, because humidity is an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to cause stains.
- Use laundry bags or protective nets for delicate clothes to reduce friction, keep the fabric soft and durable.
- Dry in a place with shade and light wind; avoid harsh sunlight to avoid oxidation or fading of the fabric.
With proper washing habits, white clothes will always be bright, clean, and durable, and no longer have to worry about annoying yellow stains. Yellow stains are the reason why white clothes quickly lose their pristine appearance. But with the right tips, you can completely clean at home without using harsh chemicals. From baking soda, white vinegar, fresh lemon, and hydrogen peroxide to toothpaste or salt, all are natural ingredients, easy to find, safe and extremely effective.
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