Yellow Stain on White - get it out

I have several items of clothing that are white and when I take them out of the closet after a period of long rest they have yellow stains on the shoulders and down the sleeve where the item is creased.
I have in the past after dry cleaning just pitched the item, but now I have several that I really don't want to dispose of and would like to get the stain out.
I don't know what causes it and need to know if anyone has had the same problem and has a surefire cure.
I have talked to some people at work who say a combo of white vinegar and water helps, but doesn't do the job completely.
On one particular item I tried clorox and that wasn't even sufficient.
Help with ideas greatly appreciated.

You may have to repeat the vinegar process more than once. Apply white vinegar, rinse with water and then laundry it again.

If all else fails, go and get some Oxy-Clean at the store; expensive but works pretty good.



Yellow Stains
Yellowing may appear on fabric due to the oxidation of soil and oil. It may occur when insufficient detergent is used; wash water temperature is too low; too much detergent is added and not rinsed out; or synthetics are washed in liquid dish detergent and cold water.
Wash clothing in a permanent-press cycle with hot water, cool-down rinse and 1 c. of water conditioner. If necessary, repeat using correct amount of detergent, oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach if safe for fabric.


Here is something else that you may try:
Mix 1 cup bleach and 1/2 cup dish water detergant. DO NOT add water to this mixture. Wash by hand with this solution.







This message was edited Wednesday, Mar 26th 8:49 AM

Thanks for the info coco, the strange thing is that this jacket has been dry cleaned and the only time I tried washing it was to get the stain out. So I am not sure still why the yellowing occured (it couldn't have been from the water temp). The same goes for the other items I mentioned, they were all dry clean items that I had never laundered myself.
I'll get some of that oxy clean today and if that doesn't work will try the clorox and soap
Thanks for helping me save a special jacket!

This message was edited Wednesday, Mar 26th 8:54 AM

My sister has several blouses and tops with the yellow stains. She says its from spraying cologne on it and it does not come out. Might the oxyclean help in this instance? Regular bleach does not do a thing for it.

Mom always uses lemon juice and then puts the article in the sun.She's been very successful with old quilts and linnens.

The process must be like when you put the stuff on your hair and go outside.Anyway,I've seen this work...It may bear trying.

The first thing that came to my mind was La France bluing detergent. I used to use it to brighten white items I didn't want to bleach. Unfortunately this name brand isn't available anymore, but you can ask your local grocery store if they stock some kind of laundry bluing. Laundry bluing has been used to whiten old wedding gowns, so I feel you could use it safely on your white blouses.

Using bleach in your laundry; believe it or not; will turn clothing yellow and that is why I only use vinegar with laundry detergant when doing laundry. Course can't use bleach anyway being we have a septic system; not a good thing.

You'd think that by adding bleach would make the whites more white, when actually and eventually they turn a yellow color over time.

Haighr I'm thinking it's from just being in the closet. My clothes get a yellowish stain right where the hanger is and down the sleeves. I think it's best to cover the jacket or blouse before putting it in the closet. I cover clothes with a white garbage bag or old pillow case, with a small hole cut for the hanger. I've had really good luck with Oxy-Clean- just make sure you use hot water to dissolve it.

CoCo - can I "quote" you? LOL We have well water - the water is very very very hard. We have rental house that obtains water from the same well. A couple has lived in this house for 10 years and on an annual basis the woman whines and whines about how bad the water is and how it turns the clothes colors. The house has a filter system and a water softener. If both are maintained, the water is fine. She said the clothes still turn colors. We told her that based on the recommendation of the water softener people that they should not use bleach because it turns the clothes "dingier". I know she doesn't believe me and now we're having problems with the septic system and I believe it is because she uses bleach. Groan!!!! Anyway, I have found vinegar is the best additive to use for washing.

Whatever caused it THANKS it is gone. I soaked the jacket in pure white vinegar for two hours. Most of it came out. Then I soaked it in the Oxy Clean and voila, looks like NEW!!!
You guys know everything, thanks again a HEAP!

Be my guest there Nebraska _Jewell. Using bleach is one of the worst things that you can use if you have a septic system;along with that antibacterial soap; laundry detergant with bleach as well.
You're right; vinegar is one of the best products that you can use. I use it for everything, dusting furniture, cleaning the floors, the laundry, windows and mirrors; that is really the only cleaning agent that I buy. For dusting, I just add the clear vinegar in a spray bottle with alittle lemon juice and that is my furniture polish for dusting everything and anything; counter tops, doing the bathrooms; etc., etc., etc.
I just don't spend my money for all those other cleaning
products when you can do so much more with vinegar and it's cheaper as well. Sorry, got carried away here on the vinegar subject; and no, I'm not a spokes person for Heins. lol.

So glad that the yellow came out for you haighr.

Coco, I had never thought to use it as a wipe up kind of thing - like 409... I do have some in a spray bottle an use it on the sink knobs and on windows and mirror.

Haigr, I am so happy to hear your stain came out. it is amazing...I use about a quarter cup in the laundry.

I wish we could find gallons of vinegar cheaper than they are at the grocery. I'll have to check Sam's Club.

At Sam's Club, you can get 2 gals. to a box but don't know how much it is; as my hubby brings it home with him when he gets off work, but that is where I always buy my vinegar and on the box itself it gives some quick tips for the use of vinegar which is also very helpfuf.

Tips and suggestions here for uses of vinegar.
http://frugalliving.about.com/library/blvinegar.htm

This message was edited Friday, Mar 28th 5:28 PM

coco, thanks for the link = good tips there....

Thanks CoCo, I printed 22 pages.