With jeans, under a blazer, or worn open over a tank top, the white shirt is that essential piece that saves you when you don’t know what to wear. Until, just before you head out, you spot that mark on the collar that had passed unnoticed when you tucked it away.
If after wearing it the rest of the shirt is clean, it is recommended to hand-wash only the collar, cuffs, and underarms, where sweat and greasiness tend to accumulate. This way you can tend to those areas before the stains become more visible and reserve a full wash for when necessary.
How to clean the collar and cuffs of a white shirt
Step 1. Check the care label. If the shirt can be washed with water, dampen the areas you want to clean.
Step 2. Apply a neutral white soap bar. Run it along the inside of the collar, the edge of the cuffs, and the underarms where you see the marks. Gently rub with your fingers, without tugging on the fabric.
Step 3. You can also use sodium percarbonate, which is sold in hardware stores. Baking soda could also work. If you use sodium percarbonate, dissolve it according to the product instructions and only if the shirt’s label allows chlorine-free bleaches. If you wash the shirt in a washing machine, you can add a teaspoon of this powder along with the soap.
Step 4. Rinse and hang it on a hanger. Remove the soap residue with water and, while the shirt is still damp, adjust the collar and fasten the top button. That gesture helps it keep its shape as it dries and can save you some ironing.
How to wash the white shirt in the washing machine
When you wash it, choose a delicate program up to 30 °C and the lowest spin, always according to what the label indicates.
For drying, put it back on a hanger. Take advantage that the fabric is still damp to smooth the button placket with your hands and adjust the cuffs. These are the details that show most when you wear it under a blazer or with the sleeves rolled up.
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