Sweat: the unmentionable issue that causes very noticeable stains.

You've seen them – those mysterious yellow stains under the arms of your white t-shirts, the gray shadow around the collar. What are those stains? And why do they show up even though you're doing your laundry regularly with quality laundry detergent?

The fact is, even though you may think your laundry is clean, washing with laundry detergent alone can leave behind invisible dirt embedded deep in fibers, as well as the cause of the yellow stain – body soil.

What's body soil?

Body soil is made up of the by-products your body gives off every day, like sweat and oil. Body soil is natural and healthy but it's not good for your clothes. Unless it's removed, it can build up over time, causing yellowing and dinginess, wearing down fabrics, and providing a haven for bacteria and dust mites.

Body soil is transferred from your body to items you are wearing or that you come in contact with. Think about how much stuff this includes: all your clothing is directly in the line of fire, like undergarments, socks, shirts and blouses, even pants and jeans. Plus, don't forget about bedding, like sheets and pillowcases. And then the towels and washcloths that you scrub it off with – giving it a whole new place to live.

How to break body soil down

The best way to get rid of body soil stains in your white shirts: using laundry detergent and bleach like Clorox® Regular-Bleach together in every load. Bleach reacts with and breaks down body soil components into smaller, water-soluble particles, making them easier for laundry detergent to remove. These smaller particles are easier to keep suspended in your washing machine water, helping to prevent body soil from landing back on your now clean clothes. Once you start adding bleach to your laundry, you'll be surprised at how much cleaner your clothes are. So surprised, in fact, that you may want to share your new secret the next time you see those familiar stains on your friends' clothes.