# Stained White T-Shirt

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stained-white-t-shirt/633217>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 31, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stained-white-t-shirt/633217 "2012-08-31T02:26:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stained-white-t-shirt/633217/1 "2012-08-31T02:26:12Z")

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I have a white t-shirt that I have persistently washed, but there are still several stains on the front of it. I do not know what caused the stains.

How can I get rid of the stains? Bleach? Vinegar? Detergent? Hand scrubbing?

I need an answer quickly.

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stained-white-t-shirt/633217/2 "2012-08-31T02:36:48Z")

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Start with an oxygen bleach like [OxiClean](http://www.oxiclean.com/Index.aspx?gclid=CNWu7_rqkLICFUQTNAodxXEAaw), or and enzyme stain remover, like [Nature’s Miracle](http://www.petco.com/product/2437/Natures-Miracle-Stain-And-Odor-Remover.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductListTopRated_Dog_1-_-Nature%27s%20Miracle%20Stain%20%26%20Odor%20Remover-2437).

If you use chlorine bleach, follow the directions and dilute it accordingly, or you will burn a hole in the shirt. Chlorine bleach is hard on fabrics in any case.

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**Author:** ![Rampant\_Coypu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/439d5e/32.png) [@Rampant\_Coypu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rampant_Coypu)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stained-white-t-shirt/633217/3 "2012-08-31T02:52:58Z")

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Vinegar acts as a mordant for dyes. I would recommend against it. Natures Miracle and other enzyme cleaners are a good choice.

How about just throwing away the old shirt and buying a new one? Enzyme cleaners are more expensive than t-shirts.

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**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stained-white-t-shirt/633217/4 "2012-08-31T03:12:40Z")

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Oh, sometimes it’s hard to throw away a t-shirt. You can even get attached to a plain white one under the right circumstances. I have some gray long sleeve running tees that I’ll wear until they fall apart.