I used to think of collared shirts as being a bit like a fresh haircut. They look sharp and neat when they’re brand new, but they start looking more “lived-in” after just one or two washes.
But after a recent discovery, I now realize that I simply lacked the know-how to preserve that crisp, brand new look of a collared shirt. This hack has already been paying huge dividends in terms of the appearances of the collared shirts in our house, so I couldn’t wait to pass it on to all of you in this post!
With the help of the one simple hack you’ll learn in this post, you’ll be able to retain that crisp look of a new collared shirt for a lot longer. You (or your spouse or kids, for that matter) will look more put together, feel more confident, and save money because you’ll be taking better care of those shirts!
The Simple Secret That Will Save Your Collared Shirts
Making one simple adjustment your laundry routine can extend the lifespan of a collared shirt dramatically. And all you have to do is unbutton all the buttons and flip the collar up before putting it in the wash!
Why Flip Up The Collar Before Washing?
Performing this one simple step before laundering a collared shirt can have several different benefits, including:
1. Less Stretching In The Wash
With the collar unbuttoned, the collar tips and button holes won’t get stretched out in the wash. Less collar stretching means snug buttons, a collar that lies flat, and crisper, cleaner edges all the way around.
2. Less Wear On The Buttons
A buttoned button gets pulled and stretched a lot during an average wash cycle, weakening the stitching that keeps the buttons in place. Just by unbuttoning your shirt before washing it, you can protect the buttons so that they last longer.
3. More Thorough Cleaning
With the collar unfastened and flipped up, both sides of the collar will get a more thorough cleaning during the wash cycle. This helps to eliminate sweat and body oil buildup that can affect the shirt’s collar and even lead to permanent stains!
Related: This Is The Best Way To Remove One Of The Toughest Shirt Stains
BONUS: Flip The Collar Before Hanging, Too
It’s not just how you wash a collared shirt that can make a big difference. The way you hang shirts in your closet can have an impact too!
Related: This Is The Most Important Decision To Make In Your Closet
To keep shirt collars looking nice and prevent them from being flattened, creased, or misshapen by the other items in your closet, hang the shirt with the collar flipped up and the top button fastened.
The collar will stay nice and straight while the shirt is hanging in your closet, and you’ll find it much easier to create a nice crease when you put it on to wear it. (In a hurry? Use your hair straightener to quickly “iron” the collar!)
Do you use any tips or tricks to keep your collared shirts looking nice?
More Ideas You'll Love
I wore Wrangle denim work shirts for decades while working. Wore them so much, in fact, that I’d literally wear right through the back edges of the collars. My wife became quite proficient at removing the collars with a stitch ripper, turning them around, and sewing them back on as the rest of the shirts would still have plenty of wear left in them.I still have some of them, since they don’t wear out as quickly now that I’m retired. Also, some of them don’t exactly fit like they did before I retired.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is interesting. I only wear the button up Polo type for my work. My Dad is the main one who wears this type of shirt in our house. The ones in the picture I’ve had to wear at times for certain jobs. When I’m off work I generally won’t even touch the button-up ones. Brings back memories of period of time I would rather not be reminded of.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The Squire no longer needs to wear a shirt and tie to the office, but I learned from Mum to run a line of shampoo around the collars before I wash shirts. Shampoo is designed for hair oil and it really does cure “ring around the collar”.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your mum is brilliant!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I spray the opened collar with Shout, that removes oil and dirt that accumulate on the collar. I use a steam iron to iron them and button the collar after I finish ironing them and hang them back on their hangers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.PS
In my area we are permitted to dry our clothes outside, I still, at 84, enjoy how easy it is to iron a shirt or blouse that has been hung out to dry. The same with my husband’s slacks or my jeans. Yes, I still wear jeans and, out of habit I iron them.
My mother had us doing our own laundry when we were teens, that included ironing….don’tmean to be a PITA but I quickly noticed it was harder to iron the buttoned down collars as opposed to those without buttons…so I’ve been unbuttoning and flipping up the collar for most of my adult life….but flipping the collar up in the closet? BRILLIANT!!!!…..I’ve been only ironing a few at a time and making space between them…not so great when you’ve got not so much closet space!…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My husband can’t stand to see a collar with unbuttoned buttons. I, on the other hand, think buttoning those tiny buttons is a major waste of time. He noticed all on his own that his shirt collars always needed ironing and mine didn’t. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just an FYI from a former owner of a dry cleaning company….. if a collar begins to show wear and tear, some can be reversed! I have reversed many collars over the years! Keep in mind, not all are able to do that, as some that hold collar stays have those pockets on the rear side. Blessings on your weekend!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How interesting! Thanks for the tip!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One important thing in hanging a collared shirt is to make sure you put it on a hanger that has a “neck”. All the wire hangers that come from the dry cleaner used to have these. This allows you to button the neck band and lets the shoulders hang smoothly.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I cant remember where I learned this, but, I also give my husbands dress shirts a good “snap” when I take them out of the washer before putting them in the dryer. I remove them from the dryer before they are completely dry to help minimize wrinkles.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do the same…I also smooth out jeans, before putting them in the dryer…not that I ever iron jeans, and the wrinkles would likey fall out while wearing….but I like to minimize them beforehand.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have always unbuttoned the collar before washing a button down shirt, and leave it unbuttoned until ready to wear.. Fortunately my hubby doesn’t favor button down collars so he doesn’t have many. I find that drying shirt on low heat keeps from getting a lot of wrinkles. Don’ t over load washer or dryer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My mother-in-law must have taught my husband to unbutton his collars before putting them in the wash, as he has always done this. We turn up the collars of his polos so they don’t develop creases in odd places on the hanger, but I iron his button-down shirts anyway so ironing the collar is no big deal.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I iron shirts wet, straight out of the washing machine & finish drying on a hanger. The finish is crisper especially with hard to iron fabrics & it’s made the task of ironing easier. Use the delicate spin cycle so as to leave extra water in the fabric.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You are a saint! I don’t even know where my iron is!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How interesting – I can’t wait to give it a try!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.