Removing yellow stains from summer whites

White clothing is everyone's favourite in summer, not only because it's cool and doesn't trap the heat, but also because it's essential for putting together the perfect outfits for open-air walks or trips to the beach during your holidays.

That said, if you've worn white in summer you'll also know it tends to get grubby very quickly, especially under the arms, thanks to the heavy sweating that comes with the hot hours and the deodorants that leave yellow stains on the fabric.

If you want to know how to rescue those summer clothes you love so much and that make you feel comfortable, keep reading, because here we'll share the best tricks to leave them as good as new using products found in any home and, better still, ones you can use at a self-service launderette or at home.

In the south-west of Tenerife lies the municipality of Adeje, an area known for its lovely beaches, its steady, warm climate all year round, its friendly locals and its spaces set up for every kind of visitor.

So if you're on holiday in Adeje you'll want to think about every detail to enjoy a pleasant, hassle-free stay. Among the things to bear in mind is choosing a good self-service launderette so you can keep your summer clothes clean and ready to wear, like Lavandería Azul, which stands out for being right in the town centre and offering the best conditions for your washing.

Having a self-service launderette in Adeje during your summer days, open every day, means you can save time and money, and it also gives you everything you need to look after your clothes and manage the care that best suits your personal preferences and needs.

So if you spot an unpleasant yellow stain under the arms of your white clothing, you can sort it out by following a few tips that you can apply at the launderette or at home.

The most effective ways to remove yellow stains

Getting rid of unsightly yellow stains from white or light-coloured clothing isn't all that hard, and it can give your garments a much longer life.

You can do it in several ways: either using small amounts of bleach or using other products you'll find just about anywhere. Below, we'll explain step by step how to clean your clothes like a real expert.

Although bleach, or chlorine, is very harsh on textile fibres, when used in the right measure the results will be excellent. The steps to follow are these:

• Dilute 5 ml of bleach in a container with 2 cups of water.
• Submerge the stained part of the fabric and leave it to soak for at least an hour.
• Then rinse the bleach out of the garment with plenty of water and wash it as normal.
• You can also add a little bleach to the wash cycle in the machine and extend the soaking time.

This method is foolproof and won't damage the fabric. To use this technique, here's what to do:

• Make a paste with the juice of one lemon and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda.
• Dampen the stained part of the garment.
• Apply the paste over the stain, work it in for a while and leave it to sit for an hour.
• To finish, pop it in the washing machine and that's it — it'll come out beautifully white.

A little-known but very effective trick for removing stains is using talcum powder. Just follow these instructions:

• Sprinkle plenty of talc over the stain.
• Hold a steam iron over the talc-covered fabric, taking care not to touch the fabric — only the steam should reach the talc. Do this twice, for three or four seconds each time.
• Then shake out the garment and wash it in your machine on your preferred cycle.

This technique can be used in a few ways. If you want the quick method:

• Put 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide in the washing machine, select a cold wash and let the load soak for half an hour.

You can also do it more thoroughly for better results:

• Mix 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide with enough water in a container.
• Submerge the stained garment and leave it to sit in the water for two hours in the sunlight.
• Then wring out the garment and leave it to dry in the sun.

This technique is one of the simplest and most effective. Just place an effervescent aspirin tablet in the washing machine alongside the clothes and start the wash cycle. The chemical reaction between the water, the soap, the acetylsalicylic acid and the bicarbonate in these tablets will lift away any yellowish stain.

Tips to stop yellow stains appearing on white clothing

Although it's hard to stop stains forming under the arms and spoiling your clothes, there are ways to prevent it, for example:

• Use deodorants that don't contain aluminium compounds, since these react with sweat to produce stains.
• Every time you apply deodorant, wait for it to dry completely before putting on your shirt or dress.
• Use natural deodorants, which are kinder to your clothes and to your health.
• As soon as you notice a stain appearing, use one of the methods we've explained.
• Avoid using the tumble dryer on garments prone to underarm staining, as the heat tends to set these marks. Likewise, don't use hot water when washing them. It's better to dry this kind of clothing with the sun and the wind.