Problem with Staining - YouLookFab Forum

I have this wonderful white Eileen Fisher 100% organic linen tank top. (I spent a fortune on it.)

I took it on vacation with us and noticed that after a couple of days wear it had funny brown stains in the area under my breasts. I am short waisted--and I had sat in a booth and it was possible that my breasts had skimmed the table top of the booth.

I washed it as soon as we got home (I'd tried before, but it hadn't worked) and dried it in the sun and everything seemed OK.

The next time I wore it, though, the same thing happened.

I wear a beige bra. Could it be the colour in the bra is somehow discolouring the fabric?

I only wear the EF when it is really hot.

Is this a perspiration stain? Would a new bra help?
Thanks.

ETA: I just rinsed it out (it's been soaking for about 24 hours) and though the stain has faded, it wouldn't say it is gone. It has also now appeared on the top portion of the shoulders, where my bra strap would be.

It is hand wash or dry clean only. Dry cleaning is highly impractical for me.

Can I use bleach?

Is it ruined?

I have it on the line in the sun right now, but I don't know if the sun can bleach it away.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I have never had a bra discolor a top. I guess it is possible; I watch to see what others might think.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Sterling. Honestly, I have no idea what's going on. I am just sick about it, though.

don't bleach it Alana, bleach does funny things to white cotton and linen and you'll be left with a yellow stain; is it from a body lotion you are wearing maybe, or your perfume? do you know the tricks for stretching it (gently) over something and pouring boiling water over it with a little dish soap? there are better remedies on-line that you can use without resorting to bleach (which will also damage the linen fibres ); good luck, but I'm sure you'll get it out

lyn*

Hmm, that's kind of weird ... I've never had this happen before (but I hardly ever wear white) ... I hope it's not the colour of your bra, but I suppose that would make sense. I'd leave the garment stain-side up and see what the sun can do.

Boourns.

lisap--I don't know any tricks, at all!
Thanks, lyn* Fingers crossed the sun will do it. But I really can't have this happening every single time I wear it--unless, ofcourse, I can figure out a way to deal with it.

mild white soap, vinegar and hot water - I use Martha Stewart and Julia West Home for "home keeping" tricks. NO BLEACH

Seriously, it sounds like oil from your body - just the usual - which can oxidize with sun exposure, heat etc and create these types of stains; body lotion, perfume, makeup etc - can all cause similar stains on fabric when exposed to sun and heat.

lisap--mild white soap--like ivory?
I am so afraid that what I am seeing is the original stain "popping" back up every time I wear it since I was stupid and didn'ttry to wash whatever it was out right away. (To be fair, I just may not have noticed. Living out of a suitcase in a tent and moving every few days is a singular experience.)

frannieb

I don't know what is causing the stains. I do know without a doubt if it is a white shirt if you put it out in the sun on a sunny day it will be good as new.

Random - I cloth diapered my baby girl and on sunny days in the summer I would put her diapers out and let me tell ya the sun did amazing things.

yep - can be a mild dish soap, a bar of ivory or dove, or even a bit of clear shampoo - you don't need much!

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