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Ring around the collar

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#2 · (Edited)
Had a bad case of this on the collar and cuffs of an older white OCBD, so I followed the dry-cleaner's trick of applying a thick paste of Dawn liquid detergent and allowing it to sit a while before washing.

Presto: no unsightly rings.

I don't know whether Dawn is the only brand that works -- presumably not - but I'm told many cleaners use it (surreptitiously, of course), and it happened to be the one we have at home.

Just a little Wednesday morning tip from:

-- your friendly neighborhood Egadfly.
 
#3 ·
Dawn dish washer liquid or regular dish soap? I might try that tip on an old shirt. I have also spot bleached white shirts in the past which works great but certainly harms the fabric in the long run.
 
#7 ·
Every evening when I take off my shirts, I spray the neckband with Shout and throw them in the hamper. I theory being that it works while any perspiration/dirt is still fresh and it is re-hydrated later when the shirts are washed.

This has worked for me for 10+ years with no apparent negative effects to the shirts.
 
#9 ·
Although I do bathe once in a while, does anyone have any suggestions to prevent "ring around the collar" from happening or to remove this without harsh chemicals that will harm the fabric of the shirt/collar?

I understand this occurs as a result of the oils from the neck and/or hair on the neck. Assuming one is well groomed, I have attempted to use powder (as per the suggestion of a tailor and cleaner) with little success, therefore I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or trade secrets. Thanks in advance.
 
#10 ·
Use Shout to pre-treat the collar and cuffs - spray on, rub in using the shirt itself to rub it in, and let it sit for 5 minutes.. Even if you shower at the beginning and end of each day, you will still get this. Even those with dry skin who shower twice a day will still get this, though it may not happen until the third wash or so (regular detergent, even Tide, doesn't get rid of it). If you give your shirts to a dry cleaner, just before you leave to take them there put the shout on, but BE CAREFUL with this, since I have found it will mess up certain dyes (french blue and olive from Nordstron for instance) if left on there this long.
 
#13 ·
marlinspike said:
Use Shout to pre-treat the collar and cuffs - spray on, rub in using the shirt itself to rub it in, and let it sit for 5 minutes..
Click to expand...
I did this very thing today to remove Those Dirty Rings from my non non-iron
Brooks OCBDs today, at the behest of the local laundry. After treating the collars and cuffs with Shout, I washed the shirts in warm water, 12-minute Regular cycle, with All laundry detergent and Clorox For Colors color-safe liquid bleach. The Rings and the dinginess have disappeared. And the white shirts actually look white - no more shades of grey or dirty cream!

I think everyone who wears shirts gets Rings. Remember the old Whisk laundry detergent commercials from a generation ago? A housewife was a failure and an embarassment to her family and community if she didn't use Whisk to eradicate "Ring Around The Collar" from her men's (i.e., husband's and sons') white shirts!
 
#14 ·
OXICLEAN

Put OxiClean in a spray bottle, spray, and work in with a CLEAN toothbrush (not one which has ever had toothpaste on it -- toothpaste bleaches).

Don't want to buy OxiClean? No problem. The active ingredients in OxiClean are: 1. Baking Soda and 2. Hydrogen Peroxide. Mix these two ingredients in a spray bottle, add a bit of water, and you are good to go.

Launder as usual after treating shirt with the solution.

More on OxiClean: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OxiClean
 
#17 ·
qwerty said:
Put OxiClean in a spray bottle, spray, and work in with a CLEAN toothbrush (not one which has ever had toothpaste on it -- toothpaste bleaches).

Don't want to buy OxiClean? No problem. The active ingredients in OxiClean are: 1. Baking Soda and 2. Hydrogen Peroxide. Mix these two ingredients in a spray bottle, add a bit of water, and you are good to go.

Launder as usual after treating shirt with the solution.

More on OxiClean: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OxiClean
Click to expand...
Agreed. I find that two parts Oxiclean and one part my valet's saliva does just the trick.
 
#18 ·
I am recently having big problems with the 'ring' on my Brooks non-iron shirts - one French blue and ther other a dark blue. I think it's even more noticeable on these shirts because there is a clear darkening around the collar - worse than i've seen on my shite shirts. I'll try shout today.
 
#19 ·
I use a shampoo for greasy hair. Wet the collar and cuffs in hot running water, and scrub in the shampoo with a nailbrush. Then just wash shirt on the highest temperature allowed. I have done this for a couple of years now and never have problems with collar rings.

If you already have a ring on the collar or cuffs, be careful not to iron directly on the ring, as it could 'set' it. Instead iron just around it, then if you treat with shampoo every week, it should eventually disappear.
 
#20 ·
I'd like to thank everyone for their helpful recommendations. My wife read through the recommendations, and tried what she believed to be the quickest and simplest solution first. Therefore, she tried using "Shout" and the results were great.

The collars and cuffs look great and it was very simple. If for some reason it doesn't work next time, I will certainly try some of the other excellent recommendations. Thanks again.
 
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