How to Get Stains Out of a White T-Shirt – The Ultimate Guide

By ShirtSpace | Feb 11, 2023 |  Updated May 25, 2023

Let's face it, sometimes life happens, and you get a stain on your favorite white shirt. Whether it's a coffee spill, tomato sauce smudge, or an unfortunate red wine accident – don't worry! There are some easy and simple steps to take to get rid of any stains on your white clothing. In this blog, we'll cover exactly how to get a stain out of a white shirt and other white clothing.

hero image source: stopabox

How Do You Get a Stain Out of a White Shirt?

If you are wondering how to get a stain out of a white shirt, good options include bleach, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or rubbing alcohol and baking soda. The type of stain determines what type of method you should use. 

How To Get Stains Out of White Shirts

Wondering how to get stains out of a white shirt? It's easier than you think to remove tough coffee, red wine, and other stains from your favorite white clothing items. A prominent stain on a white shirt may look daunting and seem like a lost cause, but you’re actually in a better place than if you were to stain a pastel or light-colored shirt. This is thanks to our useful friend: bleach.

Always make sure to always start by rinsing off the area with cold water, then try using either dishwashing detergent and hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach, depending on what type of stain you're dealing with.

How to Get Coffee Out of a White Shirt 

Image source: stopabox

Coffee spills can be particularly tricky because they are often greasy and contain sugar. The first step is to rinse off the area with cold water as soon as possible. This will help remove some of the liquid and make the stain easier to manage. Next, you can use a combination of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide on the affected area. 

Use an old toothbrush or small brush to scrub out the stain until it starts to fade away. If this doesn't work, you can try using rubbing alcohol or baking soda paste; both should help lift away any remaining residue. Once you have removed as much of the stain as possible, throw your shirt in the washing machine with cold water and let it air dry afterward.  

How to Get Red Stain Out of White Shirt 

Additionally, red stains, such as wine, can be incredibly difficult to remove from whites—but fear not! Start by rinsing off the affected area with cold water again, then blot up excess moisture with paper towels or cloth napkins. Next, prepare a paste using equal parts baking soda, dishwashing liquid, and hydrogen peroxide. Then apply it directly onto the stained area; let sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing clean with cold water again.

Image source: ThamKC

If there is still some residue remaining after this process, you could try treating your shirt with oxygen bleach (such as OxiClean). The chemicals in oxygen bleach work wonders when removing tough stains, while also being gentle enough not to damage fabrics like cotton or linen in the process. After applying oxygen bleach, simply toss your shirt in the washing machine and let it air dry afterward.                          

How To Get Stains Out Of White Clothing In General 

Wondering how to get a stain out of white shirts or your favorite white pants? The same steps apply to most white clothing items. Always start off by lightly dabbing up excess moisture from spilled drinks or food items with paper towels before attempting anything else; never rub or scrub at fabrics, since this will only drive any staining deeper into them instead of removing them away entirely! 

Image source: AtlasComposer

When dealing with tougher stains, you may need something more powerful than just soap & water; try using either hydrogen peroxide or even oxygen bleach for tougher spots that won't come out otherwise! If that doesn't do the trick, you may need to try vinegar or lemon juice – just be sure to test any of these solutions in inconspicuous areas first. 

Now That You’re a Stain-Removal Pro

Want to learn more about white t-shits and stain removal? Check out these blogs that we think you might enjoy: 

• Best White T-Shirts to Celebrate International White T-Shirt Day

• How to Get Makeup Out of Clothes

• Guide to Laundry Care Symbols

• How to Remove Any Type of Stain From Your T-Shirt

Let us know any tips, tricks, or grandma’s hacks that we might have missed in the comments below!