The FreshStart Laundry Blog

Sweat stains and yellow underarm discoloration on white shirts are caused by a combination of perspiration, body oils, and ingredients found in antiperspirants. To get sweat stains out of white shirts without bleach, pretreat the affected area with liquid laundry detergent or a baking soda paste, wash according to the care label, and avoid drying until the stain is completely gone. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of restoring your white shirts.

Sunscreen stains can leave behind greasy marks, yellow discoloration, or orange stains on clothing. To remove sunscreen stains from clothes, treat the stain as soon as possible with liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, rinse thoroughly, and wash according to the garment's care label. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of preventing permanent staining.

If your towels smell like chlorine even after washing, the problem is usually chlorine residue trapped in the fibers. To get chlorine smell out of towels, wash them promptly after use, avoid using too much detergent, and periodically use white vinegar to help break down buildup. Proper washing and drying can eliminate odors, restore absorbency, and extend the life of your towels.

To get lipstick out of clothes, first scrape away excess lipstick, then apply a grease-cutting dish soap or liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes before rinsing and washing according to the garment's care label. Avoid putting the item in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. These same techniques can help remove lipstick from sheets, comforters, pillowcases, and many upholstery fabrics.

Wondering if you can wash pillows in the washing machine? Learn which pillows can be washed, how often they should be cleaned, and the best way to keep them fresh and sanitary.