This happens. Treat with a spot cleaner and tooth brush but you're basically delaying the inevitable.

And also, I always wear an undershirt but the collar of the shirt is too high to be protected from an undershirt.

 

This happens. Treat with a spot cleaner and tooth brush but you're basically delaying the inevitable.

And also, I always wear an undershirt but the collar of the shirt is too high to be protected from an undershirt.

ah ok. so to be expected. i am guessing it is just sweat/oil?

looks nasty. and i shower at LEAST 1x/week. :biggrin:

 

...and i shower at LEAST 1x/week. :biggrin:

Well I should hope so.

Make sure the back of your neck is free of hair beneath the collar.
Scrub neck hard EVERY morning with rough cloth. Apply talc after.
Midday, rub neck with hand sanitizer (it's gelled alcohol).
Do what SG says prior to laundry.
Change your User Name if you don't do all of the above.

 

^ By the way, the same rules applies to a man's nether regions and the managing of underwear stains!

 

I recommend wearing undershirts anyway. Though, unless they are turtleneck undershirts, it won't help the ring around the collar issue.

 

It's inevitable for some people. Also easily dealt with.

I would disagree with SG and skip the toothbrush--that kind of scrubbing can't be good for cloth in the long term. Instead, give the collar a good spray with OxiClean stain remover and rub into the cloth, as per the directions. Let it sit for five minutes or so. Then put into washing machine that contains a hot--as hot as the fabric can stand--solution of OxiClean granules and water. Let the shirt soak in this for a good two hours. and four would be better. Then launder as usual with detergent. If that doesn't work, go nuclear with the thrifter's tried-and-true stain removing trick that will remove most any stain except ink. Soak the shirt for a couple hours in a solution of vinegar and hot water. Then soak overnight in a super-concentrated solution of OxiClean and hot water, then launder. You can do more than one shirt at at time, but make sure that they are the same color. Also, this latter trick will dull mother of pearl buttons (something to do with the vinegar, I suspect), so be aware. But I prefer dull buttons to ring around the collar.

Here's the official recipe: https://putthison.com/post/441812762/cleaningshirts

Again, this will take out most any stain you are likely to come across--I've rescued many, many shirts with unspeakable yellow stains in the armpits and neck. I find that I end up doing this once a year or so for shirts that are in heavy rotation. In between, the spray-on OxiClean stain remover coupled with a hot soak in OxiClean solution keeps things looking fresh.

 

I think 32RR is practicing to be the next Billy Mays!

 

I think 32RR is practicing to be the next Billy Mays!

I don't mean to be a shill for OxiClean, but gosh darn it, the stuff really does work. You can use whatever brand of vinegar you like.

 

^ By the way, the same rules applies to a man's nether regions and the managing of underwear stains!

I don't think midday use of an alcohol solution would be advisable. Morning application of a product called Fresh Balls (yup, you read that correctly) is the best solution I've found. That and dark colored underwear. Ultimately, though, that one is more of a comfort issue as I don't really care how underwear looks in the same way as my shirt collars.

 

I don't think midday use of an alcohol solution would be advisable. Morning application of a product called Fresh Balls (yup, you read that correctly) is the best solution I've found. That and dark colored underwear. Ultimately, though, that one is more of a comfort issue as I don't really care how underwear looks in the same way as my shirt collars.

Ahh, you must be married then?

 

I don't think midday use of an alcohol solution would be advisable...

A generous midday use of an alcohol solution definitely works for me. My solution is generally two parts whiskey and one part water, applied internally. You can change that ratio to fit your needs - e.g. if the stains are particularly strong, I advise increasing the whiskey portion until you no longer see the stains.

 

Ahh, you must be married then?

A generous midday use of an alcohol solution definitely works for me. My solution is generally two parts whiskey and one part water, applied internally. You can change that ratio to fit your needs - e.g. if the stains are particularly strong, I advise increasing the whiskey portion until you no longer see the stains.

Touche x2

 

I just spray with a pre-treatment spray or stain stick like the oxy-clean mentioned. I also pre-treat the sleeve edges on my french cuff shirts. They can collect dirt during the day even in the office.

 

I use Dr. Beckman's collar and cuff treatment. The most important thing is to take the shirt off when you get home and treat it right away. Spray the collar, let the solution work in for a few minutes, and wash it. If you don't have a full load do it in the sink. Handwashing with cold water is fine, if it's done on a regular basis in a timely manner then you're fairly safe. I have a lot of contrast (white) collared shirts and never wear an undershirt, and daily care keeps 'em LookinSharp