Sweat · Linen
Sweat Stains on Linen — How to Get Them Out
Sweat stains on linen respond well to enzyme soap and baking soda because linen is sturdy enough to handle scrubbing and soaking without damage. Fresh sweat lifts easily, but yellowed underarm stains need a soak to break down the oils and salts. Linen dries fast, so you can treat and rewash the same day.
- Time30 min
- DifficultyEasy
- MaterialLinen
Watch out
TipLinen can handle vigorous scrubbing and hot washes, but always treat sweat stains with cold water first to avoid setting the protein.
WarningYellowed sweat stains that have been heat-set in the dryer are much harder to remove. Treat fresh stains promptly.
Do this
Rinse with cold water
Hold the stained area under cold running water from the coldest tap setting (under 70 °F) for about 30 seconds. This flushes out fresh salts and prevents the protein in sweat from setting.
Never use hot water on sweat—it cooks the protein and locks in yellowing.
Apply enzyme soap and scrub
Rub 1 tablespoon of enzyme stain soap directly into the damp stain. Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to work it in along the fabric grain for about one minute.
Soak in baking soda solution
Fill a basin with 1 quart of lukewarm water (comfortable on your hands, about 85–100 °F) and stir in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Submerge the linen and let it soak for 15 minutes to lift oils and odor.
Linen loves a good soak—it won't felt or stretch like wool or silk.
Rinse and check
Rinse thoroughly under cold water. If yellowing remains, pour 1/4 cup of white vinegar over the stain, wait two minutes, then rinse again.
Wash as usual
Launder the linen in the washing machine on a normal cycle with your regular detergent. Check that the stain is gone before you tumble-dry, because heat will set any leftover residue.
Common questions
Can I use hot water to wash linen after treating the sweat stain?+
Yes, once you've pretreated and rinsed out the stain with cold water, linen can go into a hot wash. Just check that the stain is completely gone before you dry it, because heat will lock in any remaining yellowing.
What if the sweat stain is old and yellow?+
Soak the linen overnight in a basin with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 quart of lukewarm water. In the morning, scrub with enzyme soap, rinse, and wash. Repeat if needed—linen is tough enough to handle multiple treatments.
Will vinegar damage linen?+
No, white vinegar is safe for linen and helps neutralize alkaline residue from baking soda. Rinse well after using vinegar so the fabric doesn't smell sour.
Can I skip the enzyme soap and just use regular detergent?+
Regular detergent won't break down the oils and proteins in sweat as effectively. Enzyme stain soap or a liquid laundry detergent with enzymes works much better on body-oil stains.
Same stain, other materials
SweatCotton
Sweat Stains on Cotton — How to Get Them Out
Sweat stains on cotton respond well to enzyme soap and baking soda, which break down the proteins and oils that cause yellowing. Cotton is durable enough to handle scrubbing and hot water, so you can treat both fresh and set-in stains aggressively. The key is to work on the stain before it oxidizes and turns yellow, but even old underarm stains can be lifted with the right combination of products.
SweatCotton
Sweat Stains on Cotton Shirts — Get Them Out
Sweat stains on cotton shirts respond best to enzyme treatment followed by a baking-soda paste, because the yellowing comes from a mix of body oils, proteins, and aluminum in antiperspirant. Cotton is durable enough to handle scrubbing and peroxide, so you can attack both fresh and set-in underarm stains without worrying about damaging the weave.
SweatMattress
Sweat Stains on a Mattress — How to Get Them Out
Sweat stains on a mattress respond well to a paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap, which lifts the discoloration and neutralizes odor without soaking the foam or springs. Because you can't throw a mattress in the washer, you'll work on the surface and let it air-dry completely before making the bed again.
SweatPolyester
Sweat Stains on Polyester — How to Get Them Out
Sweat stains on polyester respond well to enzyme soap and baking soda because polyester traps body oils and deodorant residue that turn yellow over time. Unlike natural fibers, polyester won't shrink or felt, so you can scrub and soak more aggressively. The key is breaking down the protein and oil buildup before washing.
SweatPolyester
Sweat Stains on Polyester — How to Get Them Out
Sweat stains on polyester shirts respond well to enzyme soap and white vinegar because polyester holds onto body oils and deodorant residue that trap odor and discoloration. Unlike natural fibers, polyester won't shrink or felt, so you can scrub more confidently—but it does need cooler water to prevent setting the stain permanently.
More stains on linen
BloodLinen
Blood on Linen — How to Get It Out
Blood stains come out of linen easily if you act fast and keep the water cold—hot water will cook the protein and lock the stain into the fibers permanently. Linen is durable and can handle vigorous treatment, but you must start with cold water and work the stain from the back so you push it out rather than deeper into the weave.
BloodLinen
Blood on Linen — How to Get It Out
Blood stains on a linen shirt come out cleanly if you act quickly and use cold water—never hot, which sets the protein permanently. Linen is strong and absorbent, so the stain may look dramatic at first, but the fiber responds well to enzyme treatment and patient rinsing. Follow these steps to lift the stain without damaging the weave.
BlueberryLinen
Blueberry Stain on Linen — How to Get It Out
Blueberry stains on linen come out with cold water, enzyme soap, and patience—linen's sturdy fibers tolerate scrubbing, but the berry's anthocyanin pigment needs enzyme action and sometimes sunlight to fade completely. Fresh stains lift faster than dried ones, so start as soon as you can.
ChocolateLinen
Chocolate on Linen — How to Get It Out
Chocolate stains on linen come out cleanly if you scrape off the solids first, treat with enzyme soap in cold water, and wash promptly. Linen is sturdy and can handle firm brushing, but chocolate contains protein and fat, so you must use cold water at the start to avoid setting the stain. Once pretreated, linen tolerates hot washes that help lift any remaining cocoa or grease.
CoffeeLinen
Coffee on Linen — How to Get It Out
Coffee stains on linen respond well to cold water and enzyme treatment because linen's strong fibers can handle vigorous scrubbing and hot washing once the tannins are broken down. The key is to rinse immediately with cold water to prevent the stain from setting, then use enzyme soap to digest any milk or cream residue and help lift the tannins before laundering at the hottest temperature linen allows.