Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Removing stains
• Part 2 of 2: Preventing future stain problems
• Tips

Collar stains are a common problem, the result of the accumulation of sweat and natural fats. You can overcome these blemishes easily if you know the correct methods to deal with them. Prevention is the main key, but you can get most stains off shirts, no matter how dirty they are. Get started with the first step below to find out how!

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Removing stains

1. 1 Remove fat. The first step is to remove the grease so that you can get to the stains underneath. There are several ways to do this, and you should be based on what is preferable for you and what is more accessible to you. Try:
   • Soak your shirt in dish soap. Cover the collar of your shirt with dishwashing liquid as thoroughly as the bottom of the dish. Let it soak for an hour (or more) and then wash it off. The shirt will likely need to be soaked to help the product absorb well.
   • Use Fast Orange or a similar degreaser. Use products like Fast Orange, which are specially formulated to penetrate cooking grease. Apply them to the collar for 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb, and then rinse. Be careful with harsh chemicals as they can irritate your skin.
   • Use a shampoo for oily hair. Use the shampoo for oily hair in the same way as described above for degreasing products, this can lead to amazing results.
   • Add fat. If none of the above methods worked, then more fat should be added to the shirt collar, some people swear it helps. In theory, the molecules of the new fat help to pull out the old ones. Use products such as liquid lanolin soap, which can be found at drugstores or auto dealerships.
2. 2 Use a stain remover. After you have removed the grease, you need to get rid of the stains. It should be much easier than removing fat. Again, there are several different approaches.
   • Use Shout. This is a generic, basic stain remover available at many stores. Spray it onto the collar, let it soak, and then wash the shirt as usual.
   • Use Oxyclean. This is another stain remover. If you don't have Oxyclean, you can use your own: it's basically regular baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixed together. Oxyclean must be placed on and possibly around the stain for a more effective result. Just rub the fabric of your shirt against it.
3. 3 Brush up the stains. While this is certainly not a good option, you will get better results if you rub the stain. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the stain while it is covered with stain remover or degreaser. Unless you do this often (relying on preventive measures), your shirt should be beautiful and unharmed.
4. 4 Wash your shirt. After using your degreaser and stain remover, you can wash your shirt as usual. Don't dry your shirt until you've done your best to remove the stain. A dryer is a great way to root stains.
5. 5 Entrust it to professionals. If you are unable to get rid of the stain, take your shirt to a professional dry cleaner. They may have better ways to remove stains, and it won't be expensive to clean one shirt.

Part 2 of 2: Preventing future stain problems

1. 1 Don't let the stain soak. If you want to make the stain easier to remove in the future, make sure you make sure it won't stay. As soon as you notice that a stain is forming, consider it. Do not put the shirt in the tumble dryer if you notice that the stain has not been removed as much as possible. Do whatever it takes to get rid of the stains before they get too dark.
2. 2 Change your usual hygiene routine. Collar stains are the result of grease and sweat that blend together, so preventing stain formation is a matter of making some changes to your usual hygiene. Shower more often, use an antiperspirant roll-on around your neck, or use baby powder to help absorb fat and sweat.
3. 3 Change shampoos. Some shampoos may not mix well with your body chemistry. If nothing seems to help prevent stains, try switching to a different brand and shampoo formulation.
4. 4 Wear white shirts. Tend to use white shirts instead of colored ones. Stains on them may appear faster, but they are easier to get rid of. As long as you are wearing white shirts, all you have to worry about in stains is removing fat. You can then use bleach to remove any remaining stains.
5. 5 Make sweat strips. You can buy special strips that are glued to the collar to make it easier to prevent stains. You can make them yourself if you figure out how to make them, or you know who can. Add a zip, button or Velcro strip to your worst collars. They can be removed and washed as needed.

Tips

• Remember not to tumble dry items in the tumble dryer. The stains will bite into the fabric and may become impossible to remove. Always start with liquid soap and use drying last.
• Use soda water on your collar stains. The bubbles will help remove the stain.