A white T-shirt is the item that gives everything away: even the tiniest stain shows up immediately. The good news is that most common stains can be easily removed if you use the right method—and act quickly.
Rule Number 1: Act quickly, and never rub
As soon as a stain appears, blot it with a clean cloth (without rubbing, which would cause the stain to penetrate deeper into the fibers) and treat it before the next wash cycle. A fresh stain almost always comes out; a stain that has dried or been put through the dryer becomes much harder to remove, because the heat sets the dye in the fiber.
Grease or sauce stain
Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stain (that's exactly what it's designed to do: break down grease), let it sit for 10 minutes, then wash as usual in the washing machine.
Bloodstain
Use cold water immediately—never hot: heat cooks the protein in the blood and causes it to set permanently in the fabric. Soak the area in cold water, rub it gently with a little soap, then wash it in the washing machine.
Wine, coffee, or tea stain
Blot away the excess, then rinse immediately with cold water, letting the water flow against the stain (from the back of the fabric toward the front, to push the stain away rather than work it in). A little soap before machine washing will finish the job.
Grass stain
Applying 70° alcohol or white vinegar directly to the stain, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then rinsing it off will remove the stain in most cases.
Pen or ink stain
Gently dab (do not rub) with a cotton ball soaked in 90° alcohol, working from the outside of the stain toward the center to avoid spreading it. Rinse, then wash as usual.
Yellowing under the arms
It’s not really a single stain, but rather a buildup of deodorant and sweat residue over time. A paste made from baking soda and a little water, applied to the area before washing, helps lighten it. For a T-shirt that’s already quite yellowed, soaking it in lukewarm water with sodium percarbonate added before machine washing often yields better results than a standard wash alone.
What's Best to Avoid
Bleach may seem like the obvious solution for white clothes, but it weakens the cotton fibers over time and can cause certain areas to look duller than the rest of the fabric. It’s better to use the methods described above, which are gentler but just as effective on a fresh stain.
These tips work for any cotton T-shirt, including Marlon Light, our lightweight, breathable cotton T-shirt—designed specifically to be worn (and washed) very often.
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