This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, we may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Supplies used may be given to us free of charge, all projects and opinions are my own.
Are you struggling with those pesky collar stains that don’t come out with just regular washing? We’ve figured out how to remove ring around the collar in just a few simple steps. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of ring around the collar today! – Updated 05/2021
How to Remove Ring Around the Collar
The time has come to air our dirty laundry, are you ready?
Lately I’ve been fighting a never ending battle – how to remove ring around the collar. With a few shirts that were to the point of throwing away I started experimenting.
What is Ring Around the Collar?
It’s easy to think that ring around the collar happens because of bad hygiene. For instance, not cleaning your neck well enough or wearing a shirt one too many times.
I’m sure sometimes that is the case but not always. Ring around the collar happens when sweat and oils mix in a bad way. No matter how clean you are or how much neck scrubbing you do, you may not be immune to ring around the collar.
Regardless of why you have it, when ring around the collar happens you need to know how to get the stains out.
Let’s get those stains out!
Do you have a favorite stain remover? Is it just not doing the job anymore? If your regular stain removing solution has stopped working give our 3 step method a try!
We’ve all had shirts over the years that no amount of spray n wash can save. Here’s the thing about ring around the collar. Once you have it, you have it, unless you completely remove it. You need to get all of the ring around collar stains out or it will continue to get worse. The key here is completely removing the stains.
After a lot of trial and error and a LOT of experimenting I have found the perfect combination to remove ring around the collar and remove it completely!
How do you remove Ring Around the Collar?
To remove ring around the collar and get it completely out you’re going to need 3 things:
Okay, let’s get these stains out! Follow the steps below to remove ring around the collar and other pesky stains.
Step 1 – We’re going to start with Dawn Dish Soap. Apply directly to the stains. The collar is where we will will be focusing but take the time to check the sleeves, cuffs, and armpits too.
Step 2 – Rub Dawn dish soap into the stains really well. Don’t be skimpy with the soap. After you’ve scrubbed the stains, soak the shirt for at least an hour in water the temperature appropriate for the fabric and color of the shirt. Make sure there is enough water to submerge the shirt and check regularly to keep stains in the water.
Don’t skip the soaking!
Step 3 – After soaking drain the dirty water. Set the shirt to the side, do not rinse the shirt. Add clean water to your sink, again the appropriate temperature for your shirt.
Add 1/4 cup of OxiClean into the water and make sure it dissolves (if you’re using a larger sink/tub or doing more shirts add more OxiClean).
Place your shirt back into the water and agitate to make sure the OxiClean hasn’t settled to the bottom of the sink. Next, let soak for at least another hour.
Step 4 – Drain the water again and squeeze excess water out of the shirt. Don’t rinse the shirt. You want the Dawn and OxiClean in the shirt when you wash.
Once you’ve removed the excess water spray the stains with Zout. If you can’t find Zout you can use another stain remover. Depending on the stain remover you use you’ll want to wash your shirt right away or let the stain remover sit.
With Zout, we recommend washing quickly. If you use Spray n Wash you can let it sit for a little while if you need.
NO MORE STAINS!
Step 5 – Wash shirts as you normally would in your washing machine. I like to use the hottest water appropriate for the color and fabric of my shirt. I also like to add an extra rinse to help remove the different cleaning products.
Look at how great these shirts look! With teenage boys in the house, I know I’ll be using these steps to remove ring around the collar regularly. Isn’t it funny how we can think something, like “the ONLY way you’d have ring around the collar is if you’re not clean” until you have it in your house and you KNOW the person AND the shirt were just cleaned!?
The trick to remove ring around the collar starts with the Dawn dish soap. Dawn is great for removing grease and oil, that’s why it’s a dish washing favorite. Starting with Dawn helps break down the oils in the stain allowing the other stain removers to do their job.
Following Dawn with OxiClean and Zout loosens the stains and will remove it entirely. Don’t skip the soaking, its a very important step. Taking the time to let the shirts soak allows the different soaps the time they need to work.
If you have stingy stains I hope you’ll try our steps to remove ring around the collar. We can’t wait to hear how it works for you! Happy laundering!
Looking for more help in the laundry room? Check out these other posts.
Top 5 Laundry Room Tips
How to clean towels
Laundry Today or Naked Tomorrow missing sock sign
Use Vinegar as Fabric Softener
- The Best Vinegar Paintbrush Cleaner Method - May 6, 2023
- 10 Fun and Easy St. Patrick’s Day Games - March 1, 2023
- Valentine’s Day Felt Wreath DIY - January 20, 2023
I am always happy to get stain tips – I have no luck with getting stains out and I’ve been known to just throw clothes away when it’s a particularly tough stain. That’s the main reason I never wear white – I could never manage to keep it clean. I’m going to try this on some of my son’s Scout uniforms – couldn’t hurt and they are just icky around the collar!
Just curious, do you soak it in cold, warm, or hot?
I have always soaked in the hottest water the shirt will allow, if its a white shirt as hot as the tap will go. Thanks for stopping by!
Can u use this on colored shirts ?
Do you apply dawn and soak in water, or let the shirt soak in dawn alone?
Yes we do, we have updated our post to make that more clear. Thank you 🙂
This totally worked for me!!!! 7 of my husbands shirt look brand new! Thank you!!
Does this work for old, set-in stains that’s been through a dryer?
You can try it. We haven’t tried it on a stain that has gone through the dryer yet. If you’re not wearing the item anyway give it a shot!
Can I use this method for any stains?
We have used it on a variety of stains, just make sure you’re fabric can stand up to the process. We recommend testing a small area that wouldn’t be noticeable first.
[…] of our other tips and tricks! How to use baking soda and vinegar to bring new life to old towels How to remove ring around the collar « December has struck againRiverton Housewives Round Up # 95 […]
When you apply the dawn soap in the beginning, do you soak the shirt for an hour with water or do you just let the dawn soak into the shirt without water. You have a picture of the shirt in the sink without water, but then it says to drain the old water so I’m not sure.
Yes we do. Thanks for catching that, we updated the post 🙂
Would this work on a white linen jacket?
I would recommend being careful with the fabric and only use the temperature water it recommends unless the stain is bad enough you wouldn’t wear it and so you’re willing to try anything then give it a shot!
Does it mater which oxiclean you use powder or liquid?
We haven’t tried the Oxyclean liquid so we would recommend the powder.
[…] Looking for more laundry room tips? Check out these posts. Get out out tough ring around the collar stains. […]
how to remove yellowing on a polyester jacket?
Which oxiclean do you use? Regular or white revive?
I don’t think white revive existed when we did this. Just regular powdered OxyClean is what we used 🙂
I’ve done this using generic unscented and undyed liquid dish soap (I don’t use dyed or scented products), unscented Oxi, and a generic unscented stain stick. I also hand washed the shirt afterwards and it came out looking great. Highly recommend even if your washing machine is on the fritz, as mine was when I did it. Use the same process on the underarms on white shirts to remove sweat and anti-perspirant build-up.
That is awesome. We’re so glad it worked for you!
Thank you so much! I have several shirts that are 13 years old and cost a fortune to order tall and long arms. Some had bad rings at the collars. Well, I found this page and tried your process with the recommended cleaners exactly as directed. It worked!! I found all the cleaners at Walmart for under $10.- and saved a dozen shirts that cost $125.- each to custom order. They look like new. Thanks again.
We are SO happy to hear this! We love being able to save old items, especially when they’re expensive!
I used this to clean my old Renaissance Faire chemise (white top women wear under a corset stay) which was almost entirely yellowed.
I had to do it twice, and the second time I accidentally left it soaking in Dawn and water for 2 days but except for some very slight yellowing in the armpits it’s white again.
I’m so glad this worked for you! Thanks for sharing 🙂