Stains on the collar are a very common problem, a result of the accumulation of sweat and sebum. If you follow the right steps, you can easily get rid of these stains. It is best to prevent them from forming, but by following the steps below you will be able to recover most shirts, even the dirtiest ones. Read the article to find out more.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Remove Stains
Step 1. Remove the grease stains
The first thing to do is to remove the grease film, to reach the underlying stain. There are so many ways to do this: choose based on your preferences and the tools you have at your disposal. Do the following tests.
- Soak the shirt in dish soap. Cover the collar stain with common dish soap. Let it soak for about an hour (or a little longer), then rinse it off. It is preferable to wet the shirt first, so the detergent works better.
- Use a degreasing product, such as those used to remove grease in the kitchen. Spray it on your shirt, let it soak for five minutes, then rinse. Be careful not to use a product that is too aggressive, so as not to irritate the skin.
- Use shampoo for oily hair. Follow the same procedure as described above: this type of shampoo can give amazing results.
- Add some fat. If none of the above methods work, some people add some fat to the collar. In theory, the new fat molecules should bind with the old ones, promoting their elimination. Use products like lanolin-based hand cleanser, which you can find in supermarkets or automotive stores.
Step 2. Use a stain remover
After the grease is removed, you should find the actual stain. Without fat, it is much easier to remove. Again there are different approaches.
- Use Bio Shout Viavà. This is a common and simple stain remover available in many stores. Spray it on the stain, let it sit, then wash the shirt as normal.
- Use Little White Man. Here is another common cleaner. If you don't have it, you can make it yourself by mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This product must be applied on the stain but you have to rub the collar with a hem of the shirt for it to have an effect.
Step 3. Act on the stain
While this shouldn't be your first option, working directly on the stain produces the best results. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the stained area after spraying it with a degreaser or stain remover. If you don't do it too often (see prevention measures), your shirt shouldn't get damaged.
Step 4. Wash your shirt
After using the degreaser and stain remover, you can wash your shirt normally. Don't dry it, though, if you haven't done everything you can to remove the stain first. The tumble dryer is great for doing this.
Step 5. Take her to a professional stain remover
If you haven't been able to remove the stains in any way, take the shirt to a laundry room. They will certainly know how to clean it and you won't pay much for a single shirt.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Future Problems
Step 1. Don't let the stain set
If you want it to be easier to remove stains in the future, do what you can to keep them from getting deep into the fabric. As soon as you notice that a stain is forming, take action immediately. Do not put the shirt in the dryer until you have removed as much of the stain as possible first. In general, do everything you can to treat stains before they get too dark.
Step 2. Change your personal hygiene habits
The stains on the collar are the result of the sebum and sweat that have mixed together, so to prevent stains from forming, you may want to change your personal hygiene. Shower more often, use a non-breathable deodorant on your neck, put some talcum powder on your neck to better absorb sweat and grease.
Step 3. Change shampoo
Some shampoos associate poorly with skin chemistry. If you can't prevent stains in other ways, try changing the brand and type of shampoo.
Step 4. Use white shirts
Orient yourself towards all-white shirts, rather than colored ones. On white shirts, stains are noticeable earlier, but are easier to treat. You only have to worry about removing the grease, after which a little bleach is enough to remove the rest, including the stain.
Step 5. Make adhesive sweat strips
These are adhesive strips that are placed on the collar to prevent the formation of stains. You can buy them or, if you are capable or know someone who knows how to make them, you can create them by hand. Add a velcro strip, button, hook or other add-on for collars that are most prone to stains, which can be removed and washed when needed.
Advice
- Remember not to put the stained shirt directly into the dryer: the stain would penetrate deeper into the fabric, setting, and would be difficult to remove. First start with a manual stain remover and only then use the dryer.
- Use sparkling water on the collar: the fizz helps to remove the stain.
