Perspiration of the body is usually acid, so you can sometimes restore
colors changed by a perspiration stain by treating with an alkali.
Dampen the stain with water and hold it over the fumes from an open
ammonia water bottle. (See Acids, p. 10.) Old stains may be alkaline;
then try vinegar. (See Alkalies, p. 11.) However, colors changed by
perspiration cannot always be restored, particularly if the stain is an
old one.
To remove perspiration odors, sponge the stained part with warm water to
which a few drops of vinegar have been added, sprinkle powdered pepsin
over the stain, work it well into the cloth, and let stand 1 to 2 hours,
keeping the spot moist. Then brush off the powder and rinse well.
Yellowish perspiration stains on white material can be removed by:
Soap and water.—If the material is washable, bleach in the sun after
washing in soap and water.
Bleaches.—For a stubborn stain, try a bleach.
_Hydrogen peroxide._—Sponge with hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of 1
teaspoon sodium perborate to 1 pint peroxide. Rinse with water.
_Sodium hydrosulfite._—Quickly dip the stain into a sodium hydrosulfite
solution (2 teaspoons sodium hydrosulfite to 1 pint water). Rinse
immediately. First test the colorfastness of the cloth to this bleach.