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Breaking a sweat is nothing to be ashamed of, but most of us would rather not wear the evidence. If you’re wondering how to remove sweat stains, laundry experts have given us the products and tricks they use to keep things fresh. The good news is that most sweat stains can be removed with a little elbow grease and a few laundry stain-removal products that you can probably find in the store. We tapped Carolyn Forte, Director of the Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute to tell us the methods she uses on these tough laundry stains, plus some things to avoid (the dryer is a no-no until you’re sure the stain is gone). Here’s how to remove sweat stains from your favorite clothes. How to Remove Sweat Stains: ColorsStart by checking the tag on your piece of clothing. Dry-clean only stuff should go straight to the pros. If it’s safe to tackle at home, first sponge the area with white vinegar, especially if you see white salt lines or the fabric feels stiff. Then pretreat with an enzyme prewash stain remover like Carbona Stain Devils or rub liquid enzyme detergent like GH Seal Star Tide into the stain. Wash it right away using the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric.After the cycle, air dry the shirts to ensure the marks have disappeared. Putting them in the dryer before removing the stain completely can set it for good.For extra stubborn marks, you may also want to add Clorox 2 Stain Remover and Color Booster to the wash cycle. It’s especially made for colored clothes and other items not safe to chlorine bleach. For additional stain-fighting power, you can also soak the clothes in a detergent and water solution, as shown below: Fill a small tub with about 1 gallon of warm water.Add 2-3 Tbsp of liquid detergent and mix. Let soak for 30 minutes to an hour before washing. How to Remove Sweat Stains: Whites You’ll want to follow a similar method for making your white shirts look white again. Sponge the sweat stains with white vinegar before pretreating with an enzyme prewash stain remover like Carbona or liquid enzyme detergent like Tide. Then wash on the hottest cycle that’s safe for the fabric, adding regular Clorox Bleach for especially stubborn marks. Soaking the tees in a detergent and water solution before washing can also help remove yellowing areas. Air dry until you’re sure they’re gone, as the heat of the dryer can make those pit stains permanent.How to Remove Sweat Stains: Hats If your favorite baseball cap is starting to look a little worse for wear, don’t throw it in the washing machine just yet. It’s best to hand wash (if it’s safe, according to the label) and then scrub the stained area with a soft brush (like an old toothbrush or dish brush) before rinsing. Once the stain is gone, blot the hat with a towel, re-shape, and air dry. The Best Products to Remove Sweat StainsCarbona Stain Devils #9 Rust & PerspirationClorox 2 for Colors – Stain Remover and Color BrightenerTide Original HECredit: Walmart Clorox Disinfecting BleachCaroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She’s a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl. Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter. More
There’s no denying that the kitchen sponge — a true workhorse in the kitchen — can get a bit yucky. We tapped germ experts for info on how to clean a sponge effectively and banish bacteria. There are plenty of sponge-cleaning tricks you may have seen on social media or picked up from your grandma. The Good Housekeeping Institute teamed up with with EMSL Analytical Testing Lab in New Jersey to put several popular methods to the test. And the ultimate winner? Soaking your sponge in a bleach solution. But if you don’t have bleach on hand, there are a few other methods that are almost as effective. Here’s everything to know about the most effective ways to clean your sponges.The Best Way to Clean a SpongeBelow, you’ll find the best step-by-step method for cleaning a sponge. But no matter how diligent you are about cleaning, your kitchen sponges won’t last forever. You need to clean them weekly, and toss shabby ones every two to three weeks, depending on use.Mix 3/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water.Soak the sponge in the mixture for five minutes, then rinse – and that’s it!In testing, the bleach solution killed 99.9% of the three bacteria strains from the test sponges (scrub and regular cellulose), which is the benchmark based on the EPA’s requirement for sanitization of non-food-contact surfaces.3 Alternative Ways to Clean a SpongeEven though bleach is the most effective bacteria killer, in a bind, these methods are your next best option. They’re listed in order from most to least effective, so choose wisely.Microwave: The microwave was one of the next most effective ways to clean a sponge, zapping 99.9% of germs. Do this by saturating the sponge in water (we used 1/4 cup for scrub sponges and 1/2 cup for cellulose), putting the sponge in the microwave, then heating it on high for one minute (scrub) or two minutes (cellulose).Dishwasher: The dishwasher also killed 99.9% of germs. To use, add your sponge to a regular dishwasher load, using the “heated dry” setting.Vinegar: This method eliminated 99.6% of bacteria. All you have to do is soak your sponge in full-strength vinegar for five minutes, then rinse.Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter. More
Over the years, many people put old framed photos into bins, drawers, or furniture when they no longer want them displayed.”They know they’re done with that frame, yet never remove the pictures,” Trunz says. “This takes up a lot of space. Remove photos from frames you’re no longer using and place them inside a folder until you can organize them into albums. She adds, “Another idea is to load them onto a digital frame, which allows you to enjoy your photos without taking up space.”RELATED: You’re Probably Making These Organizing Mistakes, According to Pros More
1Try a Woven FabricRaquel Langworthy2Let the Light InDavid PattersonWake up to the morning sunlight with curtains that allow some of the light in. Kate Hartman wraps them around for a cozy sanctuary at night that transforms into a bright bedroom by daylight.Photo by: David Patterson. Stylist: Tawney WaldoAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below3Go BoldDustin Halleck4Blend It InEmily Minton Redfield PhotographyAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below5Embrace PatternsLinda Pordon PhotographyHave some fun matching throw pillows to your window shades like this look from Allison Handler Design. Feel free to experiment with other patterns through your wallpaper and rug choices for added contrast.Photo by: Linda Pordon6Create a Moody AtmosphereEric LuceroThe dark walls and table in this moody dining room by Inside Stories is contrasted by the light, sheer drapery. Incorporate standout lighting for a dramatic yet inviting space guests will love to dine in. Photo by: Eric LuceroAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below7Keep It SimpleGavin Cater8Opt for Panel CurtainsBecome LegendaryFloor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors are known for letting in gorgeous natural light, but that’s not always ideal—especially in the bedroom. House of One incorporates stylish panel curtains to keep the light out in the early mornings. Photo by: Become LegendaryAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below9Mount a Gold RodRaquel LangworthyGold accents are always in style. Incorporate a gold curtain rod with cafe curtain-style drapery for a timeless design. Danielle Rose Design Co. even adds touches of gold throughout the space to bring the look together.Photo by: Raquel Langworthy10Highlight PracticalityLinda Pordon PhotographyAllison Handler Design lets the overhead lighting steal the show in this otherwise all-neutral design. With simple pull-down blinds that blend in well with the rest of the interior, all eyes go to the real star of the space—the six-head pendant light fixture.Photo by: Linda PordonAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below11Focus on Color SchemeRebecca AlpinHCO Interiors incorporates greens, blues, and yellows—all colors seen throughout the space—in this window treatment that ties the design together. Photo by: Rebecca Alpin12Keep It CleanGavin CaterEmbrace your inner minimalist with clean, all-white window shades like Arterberry Cooke does here. With blinds that still let some of the light shine through, you can get privacy without all the darkness. Photo by: Gavin CaterAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below13Match the WallpaperELLEN RENEEConsidered widely as a calming color, why not incorporate baby blue shades right above the tub? Marian Louise Design matches the blinds to the adorable birds featured in the wallpaper for a serene bathroom design.Photo by: Ellen Renee14Get Cozy With PlaidArris PhotographyAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below15Mix PatternsDustin HalleckPhillip Harrison Interiors isn’t afraid to mix colors, patterns, and materials for this aesthetically pleasing nook. From the mosaic floors to the horizontally striped walls to the teal cushions and colorful blinds, it’s almost impossible to experience boredom while snacking at this table.Photo by: Dustin Forest Halleck 16Experiment With a Coastal FlairVenjhamin ReyesOpen the sliding doors and let the salty air and sounds of the waves in all day long. When it’s time for some well-deserved shuteye, close the blinds for a calm, coastal-style retreat. House of One keeps it cool with blues and whites throughout the space.Photo by: Venjhamin ReyesRELATED: 20 Inspiring Bedroom Curtain IdeasAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below17Get the Best of Both WorldsRayon RichardsIf you’re dining area bleeds into your living room, you’ll need windows that let in tons of natural light throughout the space. However, you’ll also want privacy—especially if your family tends to gather there. Aha Interiors incorporates curtains that give you the flexibility to decide for the best of both worlds. Photo by: Rayon Richards18Mix and Match TexturesRaquel LangworthyMix woven blinds with curtains for variety like Allison Handler Design here. While the windows right near the chairs have pull-down shades, there are curtains right next door. Mix and match textures and fabrics for added visual interest.Photo by: Raquel LangworthyAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below19Don’t Overthink ItRaquel Langworthy20Stick to One TextureCharlotte LeaMatch the blinds to the trio of hanging pendants. Choose different styles of tiles for the flooring and part of the wall like Kristyn Harvey Interiors does here for a design you can admire from the tub.Photo by: Charlotte LeaLaura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates. Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowReaders Also ReadAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More
