Sweat Stains - How to Prevent and Treat
Sweat stains are a common concern for individuals with hyperhidrosis, but you can manage them with proper prevention and treatment techniques.
Understanding Sweat Stains
Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive eccrine sweat, which is a clear, odorless sweat. Sweat does contain salts and proteins, which can cause discoloration of clothing, but the mixture of sweat with (1) bacteria and (2) deodorants (or low quality antiperspirants) is the primary cause of sweat stains.
Preventing Sweat Stains
It may not be possible to completely eliminate the risk of sweat stains on your favorite article of clothing, but there are several strategies to minimize that risk.
- Choose the right antiperspirant - antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed by the skin and stop sweating in the sweat duct (unlike deodorants, which are designed to stay on top of the skin and absorb sweat as it is produced), but not all antiperspirants are created equal so be sure to choose a high quality antiperspirant like the ones offered by Undefined Health
- Apply antiperspirants at night - I cannot say this enough (see one of my first blog posts on this topic here): antiperspirants should be applied at night to dry skin, which (1) helps them work better and (2) relevant to this post, reduces the risk of sweat stains because they are absorbed before you put on your favorite article of clothing
- Wear breathable fabrics - breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics such as cotton or performance materials can keep sweat away from the skin and reduce the risk of stains
- Barriers - sweat sweat absorbing pads or undershirts as a barrier between your skin and the clothing that you are trying to protect
- Avoid excessive deodorant use - deodorants are the leading cause of sweat stains so do not over-apply
- Wash clothes - promptly wash your clothes after each wear; washing the clothes will prevent deep-set stains and remove deodorant residue
Removing Sweat Stains
If sweat stains have already developed, here are some techniques to treat them:
- Baking Soda - create a paste by mixing baking soda with water; apply and let sit for 30 minutes before washing as usual
- White Vinegar - mix equal parts white vinegar and water; apply and let sit for 30 minutes before washing as usual
- Hydrogen Peroxide - mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water and let sit for 30 minutes before washing as usual
- Lemon Juice & Sunshine - squeeze a lemon on the sweat stains and let dry in direct sunlight
- Enzymatic Stain Remover - commercial enzyme-based stain removers can help remove sweat stains; apply as directed