Keeping it Clean

In going through my many stashes of "things that need to be fixed" I came across a bag of clothes that need to be cleaned in some way with the majority needing stains, particularly underarm stains, removed. I found some great advice online but as always, Real Simple seems to have come through for me with their article on removing Perspiration Stains http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/stain-removal/removing-perspiration-stains-10000001533277/index.html

I began with an internet-mined method of 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide:1 part Baking Soda:1 part water applied to the stain and scrubbed around with a toothbrush. The scientist in me tried this method on only one side of a white cotton t-shirt, a blue cotton tank top and a white polyester button-down to see what would happen vs the comparison of the original stain. Checking in on them today, the treated side looks better than the original stain, but not what I would call "fixed".

So today I tried the OxyClean and boiling-hot water method, which seems to be working better than the 1:1:1 mix, judging by the wet shirts (stains always look lighter when you've darkened the shirt around them with water). I'll have to check back in once the shirts have dried.

Another interesting stain guide from Real Simple:
Stain Removal 101 http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/stain-removal/stain-removal-101-10000001541307/