How to Get Stains Off of White Shirts Without Using Bleach

How to Get Stains Off of White Shirts Without Using Bleach
Written By
S.R. Becker
S.R. Becker
Published: May 31, 2013
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Whether your stains are from sweat or spills, a little elbow grease is your best friend when it comes to removing them without bleach.

  1. Wet the stain with water and pour a drop of liquid laundry detergent onto it. Scrub the detergent into the stain with a toothbrush and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before washing the shirt.

  2. Wet a toothbrush, dip it into a box of baking soda and scrub the stain with the paste. Allow the baking soda to work for 15 minutes before washing.

  3. Pour lemon juice or white vinegar directly onto coffee, tea or grass stains. Saturate the fabric around the stain and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before washing.

  4. Scrub yellowed sweat stains on armpits and necks with plain table salt. Make a paste with water, rub the salt into the stain with your fingertips and wait 15 minutes before washing. Salt also works well on red wine and blood stains.

  5. Add a scoop of powdered oxygen cleanser or 1 cup of white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or borax to the washing machine water.

  6. Line-dry white clothes in bright sunlight for extra bleaching power.

  7. Things You Will Need

    • Laundry detergent
    • Toothbrush
    • Baking soda
    • White vinegar
    • Lemon juice
    • Salt
    • Hydrogen peroxide
    • Borax
    • Oxygen cleanser

Photo Credits

Andrew Olney/Photodisc/Getty Images

Andrew Olney/Photodisc/Getty Images

S.R. Becker

S.R. Becker is a certified yoga teacher based in Queens, N.Y. She has a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and has worked as a writer and editor for more than 15 years. Becker often writes for "Yoga in Astoria," a newsletter about…

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