Yellow stains on clothes after storage can be a big problem, especially when you’re in the hurry to get dressed for work or school. When yellow stains appear on clothes they can be difficult to remove, but with the right tools, you can get rid of them.
If you have yellow stains on your clothes after storing them, then this article is for you. We’re going to take a look at what causes yellow stains on clothes and how to get rid of them.
Why Do Clothes Get Yellow Stains When Stored?
If you are storing your clothes for a long time and they get yellowed, There are several reasons why this could happen, including:
Inadequate Amount of Detergent
An inadequate amount of detergent can leave behind a yellow stain on fabrics. The best way to prevent this is to use an adequate amount of detergent in the wash cycle. An adequate amount is one tablespoon per load or 1/8 teaspoon per load if using a fabric softener.
Inadequate Rinsing
Another reason for yellow stains in clothing is due to not rinsing well enough after washing a garment. Use cold water when rinsing off any detergent or bleach residue from your clothing and make sure that there are no traces of soap left on your garments before putting them away.
Oxidation
Oxidation is another cause of yellowing. When fabric becomes old, it loses its color and becomes duller in appearance. This can happen when it’s left in a damp place or if it’s exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Too Much Bleach
White clothes turning yellow in the closet were treated with some type of chemical treatment such as too much bleach or chlorine bleach, bleaching powder, or liquid laundry detergent. The longer you store your clothing with bleach, the more likely this will happen and lead to discoloration problems which may be difficult to fix without professional help.
Improper Washing
You should wash all your clothing properly. When you improperly wash your clothes, they come out of the washing machine with a lot of iron deposits. These deposits can cause yellow stains on your clothes if you don’t take them off before you dry them.
Poor storage
Storing your dirty laundry separately from clean clothes can also lead to yellow stains on clothing because some materials absorb other colors differently than others do. For example: if you store white shirts with black or yellow pants, they’ll eventually become slightly yellowish.
Home Remedies to Get Yellow Stains Out of Clothes That Have Been Stored
Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide
This is one of the most popular stain removal methods.
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide in a bowl. Use an old toothbrush to rub the mixture onto the stain or fabric. Leave it on for 30 minutes then wash off with cold water as usual.
Toothpaste
The active ingredient in toothpaste, peroxidase, breaks down stains by breaking down protein molecules into smaller ones that can be filtered out by your washing machine.
Try using a paste made from baking soda mixed with toothpaste. Dip your stained garment in the mixture, rubbing it into the stain until it is gone. Rinse out your garment and launder as usual.
Lemon Juice
Squeeze lemon juice directly onto the stained area of the fabric until no more juice comes out. Then rub it gently into the fabric until it disappears.
Use a clean sponge or paper towels to gently blot up any excess liquid remaining on your laundry as needed (you can also try using rubbing alcohol instead of lemon juice).
Repeat this process several times over several days until there
Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
Combine equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl, then add hydrogen peroxide. Use a sponge or cloth to apply the solution to the yellowed area of the clothing. Allow it to sit for about five minutes, then rinse away with cold water. Repeat as needed until the stain is gone.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
Prepare a hydrogen peroxide solution by mixing 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1-quart warm water. Apply this mixture to the stain until it disappears. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing.
Vinegar and Water
Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1/2 cup of water in a spray bottle to remove the yellow stain. Spray it directly onto the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. The vinegar will evaporate, leaving behind a light yellow residue that can be wiped away with a damp cloth or sponge.
Vinegar and Salt
Vinegar and salt are the easiest way to get rid of any kind of stain. Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/4 cup water in a bowl, then add a handful of salt. Dip the stained item in this solution and wash as usual. Vinegar has natural bleaching properties, so you may have to repeat this step a couple of times.
Baking Soda and Hot Water
Baking soda is another great stain remover that works well for yellowed clothes. Put one cup of baking soda into a spray bottle and fill it with hot water. Spray the mixture onto your yellowed items, then rinse them in cold water to remove any excess baking soda residue.
Products That Remove Yellow Stains on Clothes After Storage
Bleach
Bleach, too, can help you remove yellow stains from clothes. If the yellow stains are on white items, you can use any type of bleach to remove them.
Simply add 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach to 1 gallon of water and soak your stained items in the mixture for 20 minutes. Afterward, wash as usual.
RIT Color Remover
RIT Color Remover can take dirty yellow stains out of clothing that has been stored away in a closet or basement. To use it, mix 1/2 cup RIT Color Remover with one-gallon warm water and soak your stained item for 15 minutes. Afterward, wash as usual.
RIT White Wash
If you want to get rid of stubborn yellow stains from fabrics such as white jeans or work shirts, try using RIT White Wash instead. This solution is an effective alternative to bleach because it won’t bleach out the color in your clothes like bleach would do.
For best results, apply RIT White Wash directly onto the stain using a brush or sponge then wash after a few minutes.
How to Prevent Clothes from Getting Yellow Stains in storage?
The best way to prevent this problem is by storing your clothes in dry places. However, if you don’t have the option of doing so, here are some tips:
- Wash your clothes before storing them for long periods. This will help remove any dirt and bacteria from your garments so that they don’t get stained and dirty as soon as you put them on your shelves.
- Don’t overload your shelves with too many garments at once. If you have too many things stored on one shelf, it will be hard for you to find what you need when you need it.
- If possible, make sure that all items are folded properly before putting them away so that they don’t become wrinkled or creased when they are put away in their proper place after being cleaned and dried properly.
- Store your clothing in plastic bins or containers with airtight lids. This will help prevent moisture from evaporating and getting trapped between the layers of clothing.
