SWEAT STAINS AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM Sweat stains Remove that yellow tinge from your favourite white shirt by using a solution of white wine vinegar and water (two cups of water to four tablespoons of vinegar). Apply directly to the stain before you put your garment in the washing machine. It will also remove odour and any crusty build-up. If that doesn't work, try using a paste of baking soda directly on the stain and work in with an old toothbrush before washing. Do not bleach your sweat stains. The chlorine in household bleach will react with the proteins in the perspiration and make the stain worse.