It can be very embarrassing to have sweat stains on your dress shirt or t-shirt. As I sweat a lot myself, I wanted to find out how I can prevent sweating through my shirt and which are the best materials to help you sweat less.
Undershirts are very helpful for sweating because they prevent sweat from the underarms from being transferred to the shirt. The best quality undershirts are made from comfortable and breathable materials such as premium cotton and have padded underarm areas to absorb more sweat.
Let’s continue with which materials are best to prevent sweating and how you can avoid sweating through your shirt.
What material helps you sweat less?
Sweat stains can also be prevented by wearing materials that breathe well and ensuring you don’t start sweating for longer. The undershirt helps to reduce sweating as it absorbs a lot of sweat, so the skin stays dry and sweat is not transferred to outer clothing.
The best sweat-wicking materials that help us sweat less are:
- Polyester
- Rayon
- Cotton/lycra blend
- Nylon
These materials are mainly found in sportswear, where we need materials that breathe well and wick away sweat because we sweat a lot when we are active.
But there is one flaw with these materials. Polyester, rayon, cotton/lycra blend, and nylon are synthetic materials (except cotton) that breathe well but do not absorb sweat. As a result, synthetic materials repel sweat, causing us to sweat even more.
Polyester: Polyester is durable and waterproof but does not absorb sweat. It ensures that we start to sweat later, but our sweating is accelerated once we begin to sweat because sweat is not absorbed into the material.
Rayon: Rayon is a lightweight material that retains heat well, but because it is a synthetic material, it does not absorb sweat and is therefore not suitable for people who sweat a lot.
Cotton/lycra blend: Cotton absorbs sweat well, but when combined with lycra, its absorbency is reduced, and breathability is increased. A mix of cotton and lycra is good for sportswear because it absorbs sweat and makes you sweat less.
Nylon: Nylon is often found in sportswear. Like other synthetic materials, it is breathable but does not absorb any sweat and is therefore not suitable for people who sweat a lot.
Read my comprehensive comparison between polyester and cotton undershirts, where I reveal which is the best material for your undershirt.
Be careful when buying clothes made of synthetic fabrics, as some are coated with chemicals that wash out after washing, so they no longer wick away sweat after a few washes.
Undershirts are not made of synthetic materials because they do not absorb much sweat. Therefore, natural materials are most often used, which absorb a lot of sweat and prevent it from being transferred to the outer clothing (T-shirts and dress shirts).
How can I stop sweating through my shirts?
By wearing an undershirt made of absorbent materials, you can stop sweating through your shirt. For extra protection, choose undershirts with extra padding under the armpits, where you sweat the most. Cotton, bamboo, linen, and merino wool are the most absorbent and natural materials.
These materials soak up all the sweat, so it doesn’t transfer to your outer clothing and damage your dress shirt or T-shirt. The materials of the undershirt play a significant role in keeping you warm in summer and cold in winter.
Cotton: Cotton is a natural material that breathes well and absorbs moisture. It absorbs a lot of moisture and does not let sweat build up on the skin. The only disadvantage is that if you use deodorant, yellow spots can form in the area where sweat accumulates. Use deodorants made from natural materials instead of those you buy in the supermarket.
Bamboo: Bamboo is a light and natural absorbent material that breathes well. It is very popular for its resistance to odors and bacteria that can accumulate in areas where you sweat a lot.
Linen: Linen is a popular material, especially in the summer months, because it is very breathable and absorbs a lot of sweat. Its most significant disadvantage is that it wrinkles quickly and is more difficult to iron. It can therefore be problematic if you want to wear linen clothes every day.
Merino wool: Contrary to popular belief, wool is a material that breathes exceptionally well and absorbs a lot of sweat. It is therefore suitable for wearing in warm and cold weather. Merino wool, in particular, performs well, absorbing up to 30% of sweat per weight.
Most quality T-shirts and undershirts are made from natural materials that wick sweat well and are suitable for wearing in cold and warm weather. So it will not be challenging to find the right one. However, if you sweat a lot, it is better to choose undershirts lined under the armpits to prevent sweat from transferring to the shirt.
The undershirt should be replaced after a certain period of time (on average 6-12 months), or sooner if the undershirt wears out or develops holes.
Is It Embarrassing To Have Pit Stains?
It’s embarrassing to have pit stains visible on your clothes, especially if they turn yellow or white. To prevent pit stains from showing, wear an undershirt underneath your dress shirt or T-shirt, and don’t use antiperspirant that contains aluminum.
Antiperspirants containing aluminum cause yellow stains on clothes and are also harmful to your skin. Antiperspirants clog the pores so sweat is trapped in the body, which is not healthy for your skin. The build-up of sweat in the body can lead to sebaceous glands and acnes. It can also lead to increased sweating on other parts of the body. I advise you to use natural antiperspirants as much as possible and wear an undershirt under your clothes to prevent increased sweating and acne.
How Do You Get Yellow Stains Out Of The Undershirt?
Yellow sweat stains are unpleasant and make the clothes they form entirely useless. You won’t get rid of them by simply washing undershirt in the washing machine, you need to use a stain remover applied to the stains before washing. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can remove yellow stains from your undershirt.
Natural way to get yellow stains out of the undershirt
To remove yellow stains from your undershirt, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and pour them into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture over where the yellow stain has formed and leave it to work for 1-2 hours. After the time has passed, wash the undershirt in cold water. If the stains are still visible, try this a few more times.
Unnatural way to get yellow stains out of the undershirt
Use a stain remover you can buy in the supermarket. A product that has proved to be reliable is the Deo-go stain remover. You can buy your own on Amazon. Or use any other stain remover.
How to avoid yellow stains on your undershirt?
Yellow stains are not caused by sweat but are caused when antiperspirant comes into contact with sweat.
Antiperspirants contain aluminum, which protects your skin from perspiration, but when it comes into contact with sweat, it turns yellow and leaves yellow or white stains on your clothes.
To prevent stains on your clothes, use an antiperspirant or choose one that doesn’t contain aluminum, which is also much better for your skin’s health.