Guide to Removing Stains From White Clothes

From grass and coffee stains to tomato sauce spatters, stains on white clothes can be frustratingly difficult to remove. The good news is that if you treat the stains immediately with the right cleaning products, you can help keep your favourite white clothes looking fresh and practically new. 

This guide explores the steps to removing stains from white clothes and will introduce you to helpful tips and tricks.

Typically, a variety of stains can be removed from white laundry with the following products: 

• Enzyme-based detergent

• Stain removers

• Oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach

• Baking soda

• Vinegar

• Hydrogen peroxide 

• Grease-fighting dish soap

That said, it can be dangerous to use vinegar along with hydrogen peroxide or bleach. Before cleaning, always review each garment’s laundry care tag for fabric-specific instructions. And don’t forget to consult your appliance’s owner's manual prior to using non-detergent substances.

Some common household items, like oxygen bleach, enzyme-based detergents and stain removers, are capable of removing stains from white clothing. Enzymatic detergents work by boosting chemical reactions to break down stains and dirt. Another stain-fighting option for white and coloured fabrics is oxygen bleach. For especially tough stains and sturdy fabrics, consider using chlorine bleach, as long as your garment’s care tag indicates that it’s safe.

Some steps that may be helpful to remove stains from white clothing include:

• Scraping off excess food

• Blotting the fabric (instead of scrubbing)

• Soaking and pretreating 

Sometimes, even the most stubborn stains can be removed with the help of a few everyday household products, including:

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Vinegar

• Baking soda 

Be careful not to mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar, and always avoid mixing other household products to avoid producing an unwanted chemical reaction. 

Keep reading to learn how to get various stains out of white clothing.

Yellow stains can be the by-product of hard water, dyes in food, sweat and chlorine bleach. The chemical compounds in body oils and skincare products, including deodorants, perfumes and makeup, can also create stains in your underarms or around your collar.  

Which cleaning technique to use to help restore white clothes often depends on the cause of the stain. 

1. Whitening solutions: This type of solution is designed to remove colours that may have bled into your clothes and, ultimately, brighten the look of the fabric. They are often deployed as a presoak or included with your regular wash cycle. Always follow the instructions on the packaging when using whitening solutions.

2. Baking soda: Baking soda can be added directly to a wash bin or turned into a paste by mixing ½ cup of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Then, apply this paste to armpit stains on shirts. Never add baking soda to your machine’s dispenser, as it can cause a clog to form. Additionally, baking soda can be used as a presoak mixed with water. You will need to soak the garment in it for an hour. 

3. Oxygen-based bleach: This product has a different molecular structure that usually allows it to break down sweat and certain other organic stains. Using oxygen-based bleach may take longer, as you have to let clothes soak in a solution of oxygen bleach before washing. Always consult the package directions and your garment’s care tag. Remember, some fabrics like suede, wool and silk are not compatible with oxygen bleach.

4. Distilled white vinegar: Vinegar is often a good option to remove gum stains or to get white clothes white again. Generally, it is used for pretreating white clothes and to neutralize odours. To use distilled white vinegar, mix vinegar with hot water, add it to the tub or sink and then soak your white clothes in it for anywhere from an hour to overnight. Always rinse your garments thoroughly before washing them with detergent on the warmest water setting per the care tag. Vinegar should not be added to your washing machine.

Always consult your garment tag before using any stain-fighting product. 

Dried stains—especially from dark foods, blood, ink, or mud—might make you feel like there’s nothing you can do except throw your clothes away. Luckily, getting stains out of white clothes that have been dried is doable, even if loosening the stain may take a bit more effort

Follow these steps to deal with dried stains on white clothing:

1. ​​Prep your sink or tub: Following the temperature guidelines on your garment’s care tag, fill your sink or tub with water, add an enzyme detergent and then let it dissolve.

2. Let it soak: Give the garment a few hours to soak before washing. 

3. Dry it out: After the garment has been soaked and washed, let it air dry. If the stain proves to be especially stubborn and persists, soak and wash it again. Continue this process and air dry until the stain is gone. Then it’s safe to put it in the dryer, as the heat from the dryer won’t be able to set the stain in the fabric. 

Hand washing or taking your stained clothes to a dry cleaners are good options for delicate fabrics. Always refer to the care tag for instructions.

Certain stains are brown or dark as a result of absorption, consistency, thickness, or how they reacted chemically with the fabric. This might seem dire, but don’t worry, as there are some ways to help remove these stains from white clothes. 

Follow these steps to remove dark or brown stains from white clothing:

1. Flush the stain with water: Start treating dark or brown stains by flushing the stain from inside the garment with cold water.

2. Spot treat it: Spot-treat the area with an enzyme detergent. Next, soak it in a tub or sink in a mix of cold water and detergent. Make sure it’s submerged for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes. If you’re dealing with blood stains, leave the detergent on the stain to leverage extra stain-fighting power.  

3. Wash it: Once the stained garment has soaked for the required time, wash it with oxygen bleach, in the hottest water setting allowed according to your garment’s tag. For white clothes smeared with blood stains, wash them in cold water to prevent the stain from setting. Keep in mind, bleach should not be used in certain washing machines, so always confirm with your owner’s manual before proceeding.

Foods can become more prone to staining thanks to dyes, grease, acidity and proteins. This is why certain foods and sauces, like tomato sauce, can leave a red or pink stain. Luckily, with a touch of dish soap and a bit of patience, you can enjoy a pepperoni pizza or a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs without worrying that it will get on your shirt.

Follow these steps to remove tomato stains from white clothes:

1. Prep the garment: Remove any stain residue with a spoon or dull knife, blot the area with a clean cloth and then rinse the stain from inside the garment using cold water.

2. Add soap and soak: Use liquid dish soap on the stain, gently massaging it into the fabric and then let it rest for 10 minutes.

3. Rinse and dry: Rinse your garment and air-dry it. Next, inspect it to see if the stain has disappeared. If it’s still present, repeat the previous steps and rinse out all the dish soap before machine washing it with the water setting recommended on the tag. 

4. Check it: Ensure the stain has been completely removed before drying the garment. This is important as the dryer can set the stain.

These tips can help you remove stains from white garments and ensure your family has their favourite white clothing ready for when they want to wear it.

• Act fast: A stain becomes more difficult to remove the longer it sits. Always treat stains on white clothes right away to help give yourself the best chance to prevent them from setting.

• Check the temp: You should pretreat stains using the correct water temperature, as this will help prevent them from setting or spreading. Higher water temperatures can cause certain stains to mingle more deeply with the fibres, making it more challenging to remove completely. Certain stains, like chocolate, wash well in warm water. 

• Test it: Find a hidden location of the garment and apply stain removers to see how the treatment might affect the fabric. This will help avoid damaging the entire garment.

• Double-check: Refer to your garment’s laundry care label before starting any stain-removing treatment.

Whether you’re shopping for a top load or front load model, Whirlpool brand offers a full suite of washing machines to help make laundry day a breeze. Explore features on select models like the Automatic Presoak Option, which helps tackle stains without a trip to the sink, or the 360 Wash Agitator that delivers multiple wash motions to help loosen soils, providing a deep and thorough clean in different water levels.