Removing Mystery Stain from White Shirt. Any suggestions?

[Shangas]

Hey guys,

Perhaps someone can advise me here.

While in Europe on holiday a few months back, I took the opportunity to buy a number of new shirts. Barrel-cuff, french-cuff etc etc...

Last night, I was ironing one of my white shirts, when I noticed a small, light, yellowish stain on one of the sleeves, just down from the left shoulder.

This shirt is brand-new. It's less than six months old! I don't want to have to throw it out! The stain is quite small and very light, but it's there, nonetheless.

Can anyone suggest stain-removal strategies for getting rid of it? I was considering soaking the shirt in bleach. Or perhaps using the stain-remover "Amodex" (which I have bottles of in my room).

Someone please help me! How can I save my shirt??

 

[nice hat dude!]

1st off hopefully you haven't put it in the dryer as this will set a stain almost permanently,I heard that a baking soda and water paste may help,usually bleach on whites tend to yellow,could also try lemon juice now these are from my mother in law as I really have no experience with them.Wife says Oxi Clean works sometimes too,good luck.

 

[Shangas]

The shirt went through the washer, then it was simply hung-dry. I never use a tumble-dryer or anything. I only noticed it when I was ironing it. I hope this doesn't damage the chances for removing it. I simply don't know HOW it got there. I can't even begin to guess what it is.

A lot of online guides recommend vinegar as a stain-remover. What kind of vinegar should I be using, if any at all?

 

[nice hat dude!]

The shirt went through the washer, then it was simply hung-dry. I never use a tumble-dryer or anything. I only noticed it when I was ironing it. I hope this doesn't damage the chances for removing it. I simply don't know HOW it got there. I can't even begin to guess what it is.

A lot of online guides recommend vinegar as a stain-remover. What kind of vinegar should I be using, if any at all?

If you choose vinegar just plain white is what to use,the only recommendation I would have is that like bleach it tends to break down the fabric due to the acid content,possibly dilute with water

 

[dakotanorth]

Got a picture? That would help us.
Here's a list of treatments I've used. Not together necessarily- it's just a list.
Fel's Naptha
Whink Wash-Away.
Dove soap
Dawn dish soap.
Bleach pen.
Lye soap.
You need to get a "best guess" as to what the stain is- that will help you determine how to fix it.

 

[fashion frank]

Have you tried shout stain remover , you just spray it on ,let it sit for awhile and then wash the shirt .
Other than that the suggestion to use oxi clean is spot on ( no pun intended) .

All the Best ,Fashion Frank

 

[m0nk]

I used to run a dry cleaning operation, so I can agree with many here. However, bleach will typically only yellow synthetic fabrics, and not all at that. Here's what I would do, take an empty dropper bottle, put about 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water in it. Find a part of the shirt (possibly the tail seam or button seam at the botton) and put a small drop on it to see if it yellows. If it does, then at least it's somewhere that no one will see. If it doesn't, then use this on your spot before the next wash.

Ironing may have set the stain as heat will do it, which is why it's recommended not to dry your clothes if you see a stain. Hoep that helps.

 

[Shangas]

The shirt isn't synthetic, it's cotton. I'll try and get a photograph of the stain sometime today.

 

[John in Covina]

It depends on what it was mostly. Sugars and carbs will create a brownish stain when "cooked" by heat such as the drycleaners press or the iron. Once set I don'tknow that there is much to get it out without going nuclear.

 

[nice hat dude!]

It depends on what it was mostly. Sugars and carbs will create a brownish stain when "cooked" by heat such as the drycleaners press or the iron. Once set I don'tknow that there is much to get it out without going nuclear.

He could always cut the sleeves off and start a new trend(haha)

 

[Elmonteman]

My experience with Oxi Clean has been very good. But you have to dissolve it in a basin of some type and then let the "afflicted" area of the shirt soak in the solution
for a couple of days. The more troublesome the stain the longer the soak. Then wash in cold water to see if the stain is gone. If not, soak a few more days.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

20 mule team borax is exactly the same thing as oxy clean, but cheaper! I would try getting the stain area wet, use a normal bar of soap on it, lightly rub it for a few minutes and rinse and see what it is doing, is the stain gone or there? Next I would try some spray spot remover that you would normally use on a carpet, it works for whites and colored clothing as long as you use not very hot water to wash/rinse with. Then try the bar of soap. IF you use a tooth brush on the area, do not brush it, TAP it with the brush for a while, after soaping it up. If you take your time and do not rub the stain like crazy, you will hopefully get it out and not make a wear mark where you have scrubbed/cleaned it.

Let us know what worked! lol!

 

[Talbot]

Shangas,

Give babywipes a try. They are a specialist wet wipe containing glycerin, alcohol and such. They are non invasive as the name suggests. Use the non scented variety as they do not have any oils in them that leave a residue.

I find them very handy for removing stains on suits, ties and shirts. I keep a small packet in my office for such occasions.

Good luck!

 

[Shangas]

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll reexamine the stain and see what I can use to shift it. Hopefully with luck...

 

[Edward]

If you have the Vanish brand down there, I've always found that good. I also find pre-steeping white shirts helps with general dirt and stains (especially now that I have a modern, enviro-friendly washing machine which doesn't have a wash hotter than 60C).

The other alternative we've not explored yet is..... dying. If it's a noticeable enough stain that it really bothers you and it doesn't fade after some treatment / a few washes, you could always just dye it a darker colour to cover over the stain. I've done it myself in the past with white shirts that have gotten just a little greyed round the neck and cuffs but which are still perfectly serviceable - I recommend Dylon brand dye if you can get it down there.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

In the US, "Vanish" is a brand of highly caustic toilet bowl cleaner. So, depending on which is sold where you live, look both ways before crossing the street.

 

[Edward]

In the US, "Vanish" is a brand of highly caustic toilet bowl cleaner. So, depending on which is sold where you live, look both ways before crossing the street.

lol Oops.... I didn't know that! Over here it's a brand name for a range of products (powder to go in the washing machine along with your regular powder, soap-sticks and spray ons for pre-wash treatment) that are designed to shift tough stain from clothing. Caveat emptor, indeed!

 

[Shangas]

Yes, we have Vanish laundry detergents etc, down here.

 

[nice hat dude!]

Yes, we have Vanish laundry detergents etc, down here.

Hey Shangas how did you make out with that stain?

 

[johnnycanuck]

Four kids later and everything they wear is 100% cotton. Oxy-clean! Costco now has a liquid version in a spray bottle . But soaking it in water and a little bit of powder will work just as well. Many a outfit was saved from the garbage, in my house, thanks to Oxy-clean.
Johnny
P.S. it also works on the yellow pit stains on undershirts.