Blood and sweat stains are among the most common everyday stains, and both share one golden rule: use cold water, never hot. Hot water makes protein coagulate, making the stain harder to remove.
How to remove blood stains
- Rinse immediately with cold water: most fresh blood stains come out with just a cold water rinse. Never use hot water.
- Salt water soak: soak in cold salt water for 30 minutes, then scrub.
- Hydrogen peroxide: for stubborn stains, test on a hidden area first, then apply a small amount — it will bubble, rinse afterward.
- Dried blood stains: soak first in cold water to soften, then follow the steps above.
How to remove sweat stains
- White vinegar: soak the yellowed area (especially collar and underarms) with white vinegar and water, then wash.
- Baking soda: apply a baking soda paste to the sweaty area, leave then brush.
- Lemon juice: for a yellowed white collar, lemon juice and sunlight can help (suitable for light-colored garments).
Yellowed collars and underarms need early treatment — once long-oxidized, they become much harder to remove.