A home test comparing two stain removal methods found a clear winner. Baking soda, mixed with dish soap into a paste, removed armpit stains from t-shirts completely. The Astonish Oxy Active spray barely made a difference.
The test was carried out on several stained tops, including two white t-shirts and one grey one. The stains were caused by fake tan, sweat and deodorant. The marks were almost black, making them a tough challenge.
The two methods tested
The Astonish Oxy Active spray cost about £1.50 from Savers. The instructions said to spray it on the affected area, leave it for five minutes, then wash as normal. The product contained an oxygen bleaching agent and had no strong smell.
The baking soda method involved mixing the powder with a little dish soap to form a paste. This was spread over the stain and gently scrubbed with an old toothbrush. Hydrogen peroxide could be added for extra strength, but the test kept it simple with just the two ingredients.
The results
After washing and drying the clothes, the long-sleeve white top treated with the spray still showed a visible mark. The short-sleeve top, treated with baking soda under one armpit and spray under the other, showed no mark on the baking soda side.
The grey t-shirt, which had almost black stains despite many washes, came out looking like new after the baking soda treatment. There was no trace of the marks left.
Practical considerations
The baking soda method is messier and more hands-on than the spray, requiring more effort. It could take a while if treating many t-shirts at once, but for a couple of tops it is worth the effort. The advice is to try this method before replacing stained white t-shirts.
