Remains of the summer: yellow T-shirt stains
31.8.2026
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Pictures: Darina Schweizer
Sunscreen and sweat have immortalised the summer on my white tees. I’m declaring war on the yellow stains with chemicals called Fleckenteufel (dirt devil) and Vanish and one desperate idea.
Summer’s almost over. But the last traces are still clinging to the edges of my T-shirts: sunscreen, body oil, sweat. The ugly yellow marks really stand out, especially on white fabrics. This isn’t how I pictured summer nostalgia.
Washing the T-shirts did nothing. In fact, washing makes sunscreen stains worse, it seems. This is because the UV filter avobenzone may react with iron compounds in the water and cause yellowish to orange discolouration. That’s why laundry experts recommend treating this type of stain before popping the item in the washing machine.
I tried that and used curd soap, which my workmate Michael raves about. I also tried washing-up liquid. Neither worked.
«You need Fleckenteufel,» Galaxus procurement manager Andrea Rotzer suggests. She’s in charge of laundry detergents, cleaning and pet supplies and a fan of Dr. Beckmann’s little miracle bottles. One version claims to be effective at removing dirt, grass and – lucky me – even skin care products:
Dirt devil «Fleckenteufel» hits and misses
I spread out the first T-shirt and sprinkle the clear liquid on both sides of the neckline, making sure it’s thoroughly soaked, just as the instructions say. Then I let it sit for ten minutes. I do the same with the remaining three tees and put them in the washing machine at 30 degrees using liquid detergent. According to many washing guides, I should definitely avoid using detergent and washing the item at high temperatures (linked guide in German). Apparently, this even adds to the stains’ stubbornness.
About 1.5 hours later, I take the shirts out of the washing machine and am disappointed. I try to convince myself that the necklines are whiter, but the truth is, they’re not.
I decide to give the detergent another go, and drench the shirts in «Fleckenteufel» for a second time. That’s also the end of the tiny bottle. Hopefully, another wash will sort out those yellow stains once and for all.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. The necklines are at most a shade less yellow.
Chemical warfare
Time to try the next «miracle» cure. This time, it’s one with a little more oomph: Vanish Gold Advance to instantly whiten your whites. My eco-conscious heart aches. At least it doesn’t contain chlorine. I decide to give it a shot.
I fill a bucket with four litres of water and pour a spoonful of Vanish into it. A warning catches my eye: use only with plastic gloves. Sounds promising, right?
I slip on some plastic gloves and use the wooden handle of my plunger (it happens to be within reach) to mix it. Once the powder’s dissolved, I dip my four stained shirts into it.
They marinate for four to six hours. Every now and then, I give them a stir, making sure «they don’t stick to the pot», I think to myself, chuckling at my daft joke. Looks like the fumes have gone to my head.
But six hours in, the only thing that’s crystal clear is that the stains are still there. All. Still. There.
The last cocktail of desperation
Sometimes I overdo. That way I can be sure I won’t blame myself for not trying hard enough. So when it comes to the shirts, I finally bring out the big guns.
My end boss of choice? Multi-Stain White by Vanish.
What I do next might actually be a cake-layering method used in the pastry industry. What it really is, is a mad idea that came to me late at night. I spray a coat of Vanish on the neckline. Then I sprinkle Vanish powder on top. Then I spray again. Finally, to top it all off, I add an extra layer of powder. Oh, and a little spray, as the icing on the cake. After all, more is more. Ta-dah:
I won’t settle for four hours of marinating. Not even for six hours, as recommended. Nope, eight is the bare minimum for me. I really am a rebel. Driven by blind impulse, I toss the shirts into the washing machine one last time.
A glimmer of hope
What do you reckon? Was my last desperate move effective? I have to admit: it kind of was. The stains have faded significantly. At least they don’t catch your eye immediately. But I’m still miles away from a bright white shirt. «Fleckenteufel» and Vanish Gold Advance failed. Using it in combination with the Multi-Stain White spray yielded reasonably satisfactory results.
Should I try baking soda, oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach after all, as recommended here (page in German)? Maybe you have a killer hack? Other than dyeing the shirts black or burning them, that is.
Laundry detergent + Fabric care
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Washo Active oxygen
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Laundry detergent + Fabric care
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CHF5.05 per piece for 4 units CHF11.22/1kg
Sonett Bleach
Powder
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love everything with four legs or roots – especially my rescue cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. I’m happiest following the scent of stories about police dogs and cat groomers – or cultivating thoughtful tales in garden flea markets and Japanese gardens.
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