I found a simple pre-wash treatment that helped remove yellow stains from my white clothes in just one wash07:24, 06 Jul 2026I love wearing white in summer. White T-shirts and tops go with everything from jeans and shorts to skirts, and can even be worn under dresses on cooler evenings.‌But white clothing tends to get discoloured. I often find yellow marks around the collar, under the armpits, and along the sleeves by the end of the day.‌I'll be honest — I'm not very careful when putting on lotions, sun cream, deodorant and perfume, and I often do it while already wearing white clothes.‌I'm also a bit lazy when it comes to washing whites. I'd rather just throw them in the machine than spend time scrubbing or mixing up stain removers.So when I spotted yet another yellow mark on my white top and my husband's T-shirt, I decided to try a brightening product to get rid of the stains for good.‌I chose Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White, which cost £3.98 at my local Sainsbury's, and I was really pleased with the results.The chlorine and bleach-free whitener and stain remover claims to make clothes 'up to three shades whiter'.‌How to pre-treat white garmentsThere are three ways to use Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White: in the wash, as a pre-treatment, or as a soak.I usually add a scoop to my white wash, but I've found the best way to tackle stained clothes is to soak them in the kitchen sink with half a scoop of the powder for a few hours. I filled the sink with warm water (no hotter than 40°C) and added half a scoop of the powder before putting the clothes in.‌The instructions say to use half a scoop for two litres of water and one scoop for four litres. As I was only soaking two small items, I half-filled the sink.Leave the clothes to soak for up to six hours, stirring them every now and then. I find this really easy — I just leave them soaking while I get on with other things around the house.‌How to wash white garmentsAfter three to four hours, I took the clothes out of the sink and put them in the washing machine.I added my usual detergent and conditioner, threw in some other white items, and added a scoop of Vanish Oxi Action to the washing machine drawer.‌The clothes were washed at 30°C for an hour, then left to dry fully on a drying rack.The resultsThe stains around the collar of my top were completely gone, as were the marks on my husband's T-shirt. The clothes also looked noticeably whiter and brighter, especially compared to older white items that hadn't been treated.Article continues belowSadly, the staining under the armpits was still there and will likely need a stronger stain remover to shift. Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White is available at Asda for £3, Amazon for £6.50 and Sainsbury's for £3.98.