Removing perspiration stains and odors from the underarm area, and body oil from the collar of a white shirt

Who wants a dingy yellow tint under the arm of a shirt? Not only does it take away from the over all look you are trying to achieve but the stain can damage the fabric and it can attract more dirt and odor. It is always best to attack a problem as soon as you can. Throwing a shirt in the dirty laundry and having it sit for a few days before it is laundered is the first problem. Attack it right away. The first thing I would do as soon as you get home is make up a paste of baking soda and warm water (4-5 Tbsp of baking soda to @ a 1/4 cup of water, add more baking soda or water to get a paste consistency that you can smear on the clothing) and apply to the area needing addressed. Let it sit for about 30 min and then rinse. If that doesn't remove it all the first time you can try this process a few more times or even add some vinegar to the mix. You can pour straight vinegar over the area as well but I would try the baking soda paste first. If the first 2 steps didn't work I would then move to an ammonia and water solution (about 1-2 Tbsp to 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water) . Remember you aren't putting these in the washing machine to wash yet, you are pre-treating the stain first. Once the stain is gone you can then launder the item UNLESS you need to remove the smell, then you need to take some additional steps.
***I have also used hydrogen peroxide on stains before (be careful if you are using these methods on colors). The sun shine is also a very good stain remover. While letting things sit with the baking soda mix you can set them out in the sun and let the sun do it's bleaching action, once again be careful when dealing with colors, some colors will fade in the sun.

Now if you need to get the smell out, use some salt and water and make a gritting "paste", let this sit for about 30 minutes. Open the shirt up, over a sink, so you can pour the boiling water over the pit area. You don't want to pour it on the shirt wadded up and transfer the smell from one area to another. If you still have an odor, mix up 6 Tbsp of salt with about a gallon of water and let the item soak over night.

Removing body oil from the collar: try some shampoo-it works wonders since it is designed to get rid of oils. Work it in with a toothbrush so you are removing the dead skin cells from the weaved fibers. A cleaner that is a de-greaser is what you need to get these types of stains out. Remember the good ole' sun is an excellent source as well and doesn't cost a dime to use it. Apply some of the baking soda paste worked in with a toothbrush and then pour boiling water over the collar. A few things others have tried and suggested- Murphy's Oil soap and Fels-Naptha.

Remember some items, like linen, silk or wool should not be treated by an individual. There are some garments that can only be treated by a professional dry cleaner. Whenever you take these items in be sure to address the issues of underarm stain and odor as well and remember the quicker you get those items dropped off the better your chances are at removing the stains and odors.

It is well worth your time to do these simple steps-clothing is expensive and keeping it nice will help keep your budget out of the RED.

Well I am thinking about trying a project with my kids and making soap. You may see a post about that coming soon.

If you have any stain questions let me know and I will try to address them.

Any ideas on the soap making? Have you tried it before?