# What's this whitey/yellowy stuff on the underarms of my shirts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 17, 2004, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569 "2004-07-17T11:28:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Schnauzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@Schnauzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnauzer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/1 "2004-07-17T11:28:14Z")
I presume it’s something to do with my deodorant and/or perspiration. What is it? Can it be removed (ordinary washing doesn’t)? Can I prevent it? This isn’t a new problem, it’s just seemed to be worse lately. I’ve used the same type of underarm roll-on deodorant for years, and I’m not aware that I’m perspiring any more than I used to. It’s got to the point where I’m afraid to wear new shirts for fear of ruining them. Call me Scruffy… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/2 "2004-07-17T13:06:38Z")
Those are sweat stains. If it’s a white shirt, bleach is likely to help. Otherwise we’ll have to wait for someone to come along who has greater knowledge of fabrics. As to why you’re experiencing it now and didn’t notice in the past, you got me. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/3 "2004-07-17T13:10:06Z")
Both the sweat marks, stains, **and** the smell is caused by bacteria. Try using an antibacterial soap during your showers. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/4 "2004-07-17T13:32:40Z")
Try a borax-and-vinegar paste. Let it sit a while and rinse. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/5 "2004-07-17T13:46:36Z")
If the OP is thinking about what I’m thinking about, it’s more than just sweat stains. I’ve had T-shirts get stiff in the armpits, almost like polyester fibers that have fused. But, I’ve had this happen to T-shirts that are 100% cotton. Also, if the T-shirt is white, the stiff parts a off-white. This doesn’t come out in the wash and doesn’t have any kind of odor that I can detect. I assume this has something to do with deodorant but have never had anyone confirm or deny it. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/6 "2004-07-17T14:09:15Z")
[lipfuscin](http://www.maximonline.com/stupid_fun/articles/article_3788.html) ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/7 "2004-07-17T14:17:30Z")
I’ve had the same problem my whole life. Always wear an undershirt and pre-treat before you wash. Once you put clothes in the dryer with stains on them, they become much more difficult to remove. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/8 "2004-07-17T15:56:36Z")
Uh huh. And where does that article leave GIRLS who have the problem? Anyway: my experience is that bleach does not work. Cheryl Mendelson says to use a laundry pre-treater. Me, I just relegate white shirts to undershirt-only status when they begin to turn. ---
**Author:** ![Cherry2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cherry2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry2000)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/9 "2004-07-17T16:00:32Z")
My boyfriend has had success treating the stains with a slightly diluted solution of Simple Green before washing. Seems to work best on shirts that haven’t gotten _too_ bad yet. You might need to repeat the process a few times. Of course YMMV, and I would try the Simple Green on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t have any ill effects on the fabric. ---
**Author:** ![Certainly\_If\_You\_Please](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Certainly\_If\_You\_Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Certainly_If_You_Please)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/10 "2004-07-17T16:08:25Z")
I had the same problem all my life. When I stopped using a roll-on deoderant, however, and switched to a spray-on deoderant, the problem stopped. Been doing this for 3 years now…no longer have the yellow stain problem. ---
**Author:** ![Certainly\_If\_You\_Please](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Certainly\_If\_You\_Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Certainly_If_You_Please)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-whitey-yellowy-stuff-on-the-underarms-of-my-shirts/255569/11 "2004-07-17T16:12:29Z")
Oh, one other thing that I’ve changed: I keep my under-arm hair trimmed (yes, I’m a guy). I assume that because less moisture accumulates down there, less water gets on my t-shirts. It also seems to take longer for my under-arms to emit odors.