There are certain things that are just extra difficult to clean when it comes to laundry. One of those involves T-shirts and is referred to as ring-around-the-collar. It is a stain created usually by the sweat of the neck coming into contact with the collar area of the T-shirt. Unfortunately, sweat stains most T-shirt fabrics, leaving an oily, organic stain that is difficult to clean. However there is still hope. You can get it clean and there are even a couple of different ways to do so.

Method #1
Use an old toothbrush to apply degreaser to the collar area of the T-shirt. Gently rub in the degreaser. Put the T-shirts in cool water in the washer with oxygenated detergent afterwards. After the shirts agitate a little to ensure that they are covered with water, turn off the washer and let the shirts sit overnight in it. In the morning restart the washer and let the cycle finish.  Check to be sure the stain is completely gone, if not repeat the process. Dry as usual.

Method #2
Purchase a lanolin-based hand cleaner in a hardware store or department store. This is the type of cleaners that mechanics use to clean oil and grease from their hands. Apply it to the collar of the T-shirt and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the shirts as usual. If the stain is not completely gone, reapply lanolin cleaner and rub gently, then rewash the T-shirt.

Method #3
For white T-shirts, make a paste using dishwasher detergent and hot water. Then apply to the collar and let it soak for a while. Wash as usual. This is not for use on colored T-shirts as it will bleach them.

Method #4
It is important to properly pre-treat ring around the collar before laundering your T-shirts. In a spray bottle mix together 2 parts household ammonia, 2 parts water and one part mild liquid detergent. Spray the mixture on the affected collar and gently rub it in using a towel or a soft brush. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wash as usual. If a yellow mark is left you will need to remove it with bleach. This is another method that works best on white T-shirts.

Method #5
Pre-treat the collar of the T-shirt with shampoo, a grease-fighting dish detergent, lemon juice or white vinegar. Gently rub it into the stain, let sit for a while and then wash in the warmest temperature recommended for the shirt.

Before you do any of these methods do a spot check on a hidden part of the shirt to make sure the treatment method is safe for the fabric.

Another way to deal with really bad ring around the collar is to use the T-shirt for cleaning purposes and buy some new ones. Get brand new custom-made T-shirts in any design you wish and remember to pre-treat the collar with a laundry pre-treatment before washing to avoid bad cases of ring around the collar.

Get a new custom-made T-shirt today and eliminate any ring-around-the-collar worries, at least for a while.