A stained collar is a telltale sign that you don’t care of yourself properly. Read here to learn how to get stains out of collar and cuffs and avoid getting them in the first place.
For any well-dressed man, the dress shirt is an essential item. A dress shirt is an absolute must for every business meeting, social event, or formal engagement. But if your collar has a ring around it, even the nicest, most costly, high-end dress shirt would seem dirty and neglected.
You may know the significance of avoiding stains at the sleeve cuff or under the arms, but you may overlook an unsightly ring around the collar.
A stain on your sleeve or beneath your arms is easier to conceal than one on your collar. If the ring around your collar is stained yellow or brown, not even the sharpest suit and tie will disguise it. To avoid appearing filthy and unkempt, you should always try to maintain your collar’s spotless appearance, or at the very least, take the time to learn how to get stains out of collars and cuffs.
What are the Causes of Collar and Cuffs Stains
A variety of factors might cause stains around your dress shirt collar or cuffs and knowing what they are can help you avoid them.
Sweat
Sweat is one of the most common sources of stains. Sweat can quickly accumulate and seep through your shirt, especially in warmer months or when under pressure. The back of the neck is an area of the body where sweating mostly happens, and it is common for this to sweat stain or discolor your collar.
Oils and skin cells
Much like sweat, skin oils and dead skin cells can also accumulate around your collar and cause discoloration.
Skin and hair products
Skin and hair products might sometimes end up in your shirt collar and cuffs. This might happen while getting dressed, after applying the product, or while your hair is touching your collar. Sprays, gels, cremes, oils, and balms can get into your collar and cuffs, causing them to be stained.
Jewelry
Although jewelry might not pose significant harm to your collar and cuffs, oxidation can happen and the result is a stain on your garments.
Perfumes or Colognes
When sprayed over the collar and cuffs, perfumes and colognes can be absorbed into the fabric of your shirt. The stain might not be seen at first, but it will accumulate, creating significant discoloration and stains over time.
Cosmetics
Most women enjoy wearing makeup because it accentuates their positive features and makes them feel more attractive. However, makeup can also get on our clothing, and rubbing it off may leave clothes with dull or discolored patches.
Food
Everyone has stained their clothes with food at some point in their lives. However, if you accidentally rub or spill food on your collar or cuffs, it will leave stains which can be stubborn and difficult to remove.
How to Remove Collar and Cuffs Stains
1. Treat it directly.
It is best to use spot treatments for collar stain removal instead of a standard wash cycle. Spot treating a stain involves laying the clothing flat and applying detergent to the stained or discolored collar or cuff. Allow it to sit for at least a few minutes before tossing it in the wash.
2. Utilize stain removers.
It would be best if you tried using a cuff and collar stain remover to help break through difficult or old stains. Numerous brands available on the market can be tailored to your unique requirements. Always read and follow the product’s directions to the letter. Clothes should be pre-soaked in stain remover for approximately 20 minutes and then placed in a washing machine for effective collar stain removal.
3. Use dishwashing detergent.
Make a paste using dish soap in a powder form and a little water. Scrub the stained collar with a small amount of the mixture using an old, clean toothbrush. Give it a good 20-minute soak, then thoroughly rinse it. When there is no longer any trace of dish soap, it is time to throw the shirt in the washing machine.
4. Soak in white vinegar.
You can use white vinegar to soak the collar and cuffs before washing to remove stubborn stains. Depending on how old the stain is, you might need to soak it for fifteen minutes to an hour. After that, wash the shirt as you normally would. Remember only to use white vinegar when trying to prevent a stain from setting in permanently.
5. Treat with baking soda.
If you are wondering how to remove collar stains, one effective way is by making a paste with four tablespoons baking soda and 1/4 cup warm water. For a few minutes, soak the soiled portion of the collar in warm water. Distribute the baking soda paste over the stain. To remove stains, scrub the collar with a toothbrush or rub the fabric together. Wait 30 minutes before washing the affected area. After rinsing, wash the clothing in the washing machine.
6. Apply hydrogen peroxide.
You can use hydrogen peroxide as a cuff and collar stain remover by directly applying it to the stain to get rid of it. The clothing can be scrubbed with an old toothbrush or laundry brush to remove the stain. For about an hour, submerge the fabric in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. You can then wash the shirt in the washing machine as usual.
7. Seek the help of a professional.
If you don’t have the time to try all the stain removal procedures listed above, it would be best to bring your stained clothes to the nearest professional and reliable dry cleaner in your area.
Ways to Prevent Collar and Cuff Stains
- Be clean – Nothing beats good personal hygiene when it comes to maintaining clean clothing. Make sure you’re removing all the hair and skin products every night. You must wash your body, take off your makeup, and pat yourself dry.
- Exfoliate – It is recommended that you exfoliate at least once per month to help keep your dead skin cells from accumulating in your collar. You can use a loofah or a washcloth for this, but ensure you scrub your neck and shoulders thoroughly.
- Lessen product use – The less product you use, the fewer chances you have of getting it on your shirt. If you use less lotion, moisturizer, cosmetics, perfume, and hair products, you can significantly reduce the number of stains on your collar and cuffs.
- Wipe Your Neck – Periodically wiping your neck will prevent sweat stains from soaking into your collar. You can do this with paper towels, tissues, or a regular towel.
- Wear an Undershirt – Undershirts can aid in absorbing skin cells, oils, and perspiration before they become sweat stains. Although it will not protect your undershirt, this is an excellent technique to preserve the appearance of your dress shirt.
Conclusion
How much money you spend on your wardrobe does not make a difference. What is important is how you present yourself and how well you care for your clothes. Do not allow collar and cuff stains to mar your appearance. If you follow the tips and techniques mentioned above such as using cuff and collar stain remover, baking soda, white vinegar, and other ready-to-use home products, you will be able to get rid of these stains in no time.
Stay Stain-Free With Kelly’s Dry Cleaners.
Are you ready to win back your confidence and wear stain-free dress shirts? You can do this by learning how to get stains out of collars and cuffs, utilizing some of the viable tips and techniques presented in this article. However, if your time doesn’t permit such procedures, you can opt to seek the services of Kelly’s Dry Cleaners, one of the top Farmington dry cleaners, to remedy your stain problems immediately. With their team of experts, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that they’ll treat your clothes with utmost care. Visit us now and be stain-free!
