# laundry question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 11, 2002, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426 "2002-06-11T12:40:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Joe\_Mahma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Joe\_Mahma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Mahma)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426/1 "2002-06-11T12:40:12Z")

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There is grayish discoloration in the armpits of some of my t-shirts (the older ones, I suppose) that defy attempts at removal. The t-shirts are otherwise in good shape and I don’t want to throw them away. Has anyone else dealt with this successfully?

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426/2 "2002-06-11T12:47:40Z")

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I searched and found these previous threads that might help:

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=78046](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=78046)  
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69983](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69983)

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**Author:** ![DarkVorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc348/32.png) [@DarkVorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkVorona)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426/3 "2002-06-12T11:47:49Z")

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I’d have that when I used to wear white – try plain vinegar. Let the stains soak in vinegar and then wash. Gives amazing results!

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**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426/4 "2002-06-13T03:57:43Z")

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I’d also suggest you consider changing your deodorant. :o

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**Author:** ![VDarlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e56c9b/32.png) [@VDarlin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VDarlin)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-question/113426/5 "2002-06-13T04:08:12Z")

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Another great trick for whites is to use dishwasher crystals. It sounds weird, I know, but it **works**! Put the whites in the washer, with your normal soap, and a half a cup of dishwasher crystals, fill, and let soak for a few hours, then run the load as normal. The “spotless” ingredient in diswashing crystals is a whitener.

I’ve gotten some really old BBQ sauce, and blood stains out of whites that way.

~V