Download Article
Download Article
Stains around the collar are a common problem, the result of a buildup of sweat and natural oils. You can combat these stains easily if you know the right tricks to use. The main key is prevention, but you can reclaim most shirts, no matter how stained. Just get started with Step 1 below to learn how!
Steps
-
Remove the grease. The first thing you want to do is to remove the grease, so that you can reach the stain underneath. There are a number of ways to do this and which you choose should be based on preference and what is available to you. Try: [1] X Research source
- Soaking the shirt in dish detergent. Cover the collar stain in regular liquid dish soap, like Dawn. Let it soak for an hour (or more) and then rinse it out. The shirt will probably need to be wet first, to really help the soap soak in.
- Using Fast Orange or similar degreasers. Use products like Fast Orange, which are designed to cut through kitchen grease. Spray them on, allow them to soak for 5 minutes, and then rinse them away. Be careful of very harsh products though, as these can irritate the skin.
- Using shampoo for greasy hair. Using shampoo designed for greasy hair in a similar process as described above for Dawn can yield surprising results.
- Adding to the grease. If none of the other methods work, some people swear by adding more grease to the shirt collar. In theory, the new fat molecules bond to the old ones and help drawn them out. Use products like lanolin hand cleaners, which can be found at drug stores or car shops.
-
Use a stain remover. After you've gotten the grease out, you should be left with the actual stain. It should be much easier to remove with the grease gone. Again, there are a few different approaches. [2] X Research source
- Use Shout. This is a common, basic, stain removal product available at many stores. Spray it on, let it set, and wash the shirt as normal.
- Use Oxyclean. This is another common cleaning product. If you don't have Oxyclean, you can make your own: it's basically just baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixed together. Oxyclean will need to be placed on the stain and may need to be worked around to get the lifting effect. Just rub the shirt against itself.
Advertisement -
Agitate the stain. Though it certainly shouldn't be your first option, you will likely get better results if you agitate the stain. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub at the stain while it is covered in the degreaser or stain-remover. As long as you don't do this too often (rely on preventative measures), your shirt should be fine and remain unharmed. [3] X Research source
-
Wash the shirt. After you've used the degreaser and stain-remover, you can wash the shirt as normal. Do not dry the shirt, however, until you've done as much as you can to remove the stain. A dryer is a great way to set-in stains.
-
Take it to a professional. If you're not having any luck, try taking the shirt to a professional dry cleaner. They may have better ways of removing the stain, and a single shirt rarely costs very much money at all.
Advertisement
-
Don't let the stain set. If you want to make the stain easier to remove in the future, do what you can to make sure it doesn't set. As soon as you notice a stain forming, treat it. Don't put the shirt in a dryer if you notice the stain hasn't been removed as much as possible. In general, do whatever you can to treat the stains before they become too dark. [4] X Research source
-
Change your hygiene routine. The collar stain is the result of grease and sweat mixing together in a bad way, so one way to prevent the stains from forming is to make some adjustments to your hygiene routine. Shower more often, use roll-on antiperspirant on your neck, or use baby powder on your neck to help absorb the grease and sweat. [5] X Research source
-
Switch shampoos. Some shampoos may mix badly with your unique body chemistry. If nothing you do seems to help prevent the stains, try switching to a different brand and style of shampoo.
-
Use white shirts. Lean towards using white shirts, instead of colored shirts. The stains may be more noticeable more quickly, but they're easier to treat. As long as you have a white shirt, all you have to worry about removing is some of the grease. After that, bleach can be used to remove the rest, as well as the stain.
-
Make sweat strips. It is possible to purchase sweat strips, which are stickers that go on your collar to help prevent stains. You can make your own too, if you're crafty or know someone who is. Add a snap-in, button-in, or Velcro strip to the collars of the worst offenders. These can be removed and washed as needed.
Advertisement
Video
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionCan I use an oil-based cleaner to remove these stains?Ocean Van is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Long Beach, California. He is the owner and operator of Coco Laundry, a full-service Laundromat and Wash & Fold service. Coco Laundry is a family-owned laundry service that offers top-rated wash, dry, fold, and convenient pickup/delivery options. He and his experienced team of laundry professionals offer commercial and residential laundry services, plus a self-serve laundry operation.To remove collar ring stains using an oil-based cleaner, first check the clothing label for fabric compatibility. Choose a suitable oil-based cleaner, such as dish soap or baby oil. Spot-test a small area on the fabric first. Then apply the cleaner directly to the stain, gently rubbing it in, and let it sit for 15–30 minutes. Pre-treat stubborn stains if necessary, then wash the garment following care instructions. Check for complete stain removal before machine-drying, and air-dry if needed to prevent setting the stain further.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
-
Thanks
- Remember to never dry a set-in stain in the dryer. The dryer will embed the stain into the fabric and removal can be impossible. Always start with the hand cleaner first, and use the dryer last.Thanks
- Use soda water on the collar. The effervescence will help remove the stain.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Expert Interview
References
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a24888/remove-collar-stains/
- ↑ http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=2173
- ↑ https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/clean-ring-around-the-collar/
- ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-clean-shirt-collars
- ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/advice/a41064/ring-around-the-shirt-collar/
- ↑ https://www.mollymaid.com/practically-spotless/2016/july/stain-treatment-101-hot-or-cold-water-/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To remove stubborn ring around the collar, dampen the area with water, cover the collar stain with liquid dish soap, and let it soak for an hour before rinsing it out. Next, apply a stain removal product to the collar and use an old toothbrush to scrub the stain. Then, toss your shirt into the washing machine and run it through a regular cycle as you normally would to eliminate the stain! For tips on preventing collar stains, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 654,220 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "This how-to was awesome! I used a water and Dawn mixture to saturate the collar and washed immediately in hot water and an oxi detergent! I think the stain would have come out regardless of the oxi detergent. Thank you to whomever created this tutorial." ..." more
Advertisement
100%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"This how-to was awesome! I used a water and Dawn mixture to saturate the collar and washed immediately in hot water and an oxi detergent! I think the stain would have come out regardless of the oxi detergent. Thank you to whomever created this tutorial."
..."
more
"All of this was helpful, especially the agents to use and the order of use. Also liked the preventative steps, as I just thought that this stain was inevitable. Thank you for the information. I wish I had looked this up before."
..."
more
"I haven't tried this yet, will take some preparation and supply gathering. But I like how easily this laid out the steps, which makes follow-through far easier."
..."
more
"I now know what the first step is in removing ring around the collar and what to do next. Thanks."
"Nifty Ideas to get stains off collars that I had never thought about. Will try!"
