A must have tool for your laundry room is a good supply of old toothbrushes. A toothbrush is the perfect tool for cleaning food stains off of your children’s clothing but especially for ring around the collar.

I have added collar cleaning to my laundry routine and it was so much easier than I expected. As a result of ring around the collar my husband had begun taking his shirts to the dry cleaners since the ring is especially evident in his white shirts.

I refused to be beat by he professionals, so I took to experimenting.

Spot Cleaning
#1~ Spray Shout or another stain remover on the collar.

Homemade Stain Remover
1/3 cup Dawn Dishsoap
1/3 cup Ammonia
3 Tbsp. Baking Soda
1 cup Water
Mix all ingredients together
Label and store in an empty spray bottle


#2~Immediately begin scrubbing the collar of the shirt with a toothbrush.
I usually begin this task after I have loaded the washer. While the water fills the tub I clean the collars. Each collar should clean up fairly easy. If not move on to step #3.

#3~ Add laundry detergent to collar and scrub.

I just dip the toothbrush into the cap full of detergent I plan to use for my wash load. If you are cleaning a white shirt and the stain won’t budge move on to step #4.

#4~ Add bleach to collar and scrub.

I just dip the toothbrush into the bleach and scrub. Be careful not to get bleach on the tag of the shirt.
Each collar takes about 30-60 seconds to clean. This technique can be used on any stain, not just ring around the collar.

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