Luniva

How to remove stains from shirt collars and cuffs

Collars and cuffs sit against your skin all day, so they collect body oils, sweat and makeup. The grey ring around a collar is mostly oil, which is why a normal wash often leaves it behind. The fix is to treat each kind of mark with the right bottle before the shirt goes in the machine.

Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read · By the Luniva team

First, work out what the mark is

  • A grey or brown line along the collar fold, or dark cuff edges

    Body oils and grime. Use Pro Formula.

    See Pro Formula

  • Yellow patches on the collar or under the arms

    Sweat. Use Enzyme Powered.

    See Enzyme Powered

  • Beige or orange smudges inside the collar

    Foundation or concealer. Makeup is oily, so use Pro Formula.

    See Pro Formula

How to clean a grimy collar or cuff

Use the blue one: Pro Formula
  1. 1Cover the collar and cuffsSpray Pro Formula along the full collar and both cuffs until visibly wet. Don't rub.
  2. 2Wait 1–3 minutesLeave it to work. Don't let it dry on the fabric.
  3. 3Wash, then air-dry firstWash as normal, following the care label. Check before tumble drying: heat re-sets any residue you missed.

How to remove yellow sweat marks from a shirt

Use the pink one: Enzyme Powered

Old yellowing that has been washed and dried a few times may need a second treatment. Repeat the spray, wait and wash rather than leaving it on longer.

  1. 1Spray directlySpray Enzyme Powered onto the stain until it's wet through. Don't rub: it pushes the stain deeper.
  2. 2Wait 1–3 minutesLeave it to work. Don't let it dry on the fabric; if it starts to, mist it again.
  3. 3Wash as normalWash with your usual detergent, following the care label. Check the stain has gone before tumble drying.

White, coloured and dress shirts

Neither formula is a bleach, so the method is the same for white and coloured shirts. Test on a hidden area first, such as the inside of the hem.

Dress shirts with silk or wool in the blend need more care: don't use Pro Formula on silk or wool, and patch-test Enzyme Powered first. If the label says dry clean only, follow it.

Top tips

  • Treat collars and cuffs before the shirt goes in the wash, while the mark is still fresh.
  • Give one stain one bottle. If a collar has both sweat and grime, treat them as separate marks rather than layering sprays.
  • Skip the tumble dryer until the collar is clean: heat sets oily residue.

Questions

The grey line is mostly body oil mixed with everyday dirt. Oil doesn't come out easily in a normal wash, so it builds up a little each time. Treating the collar with Pro Formula before washing gives the wash a chance to carry it away.

Yes, on different marks. Treat different marks separately rather than layering products on the same spot. Work on one stain at a time, then wash the garment as normal.

Yes. Neither formula is a bleach, so they're for coloured washable fabrics as well as whites. As with any stain treatment, test on a hidden area first.

Stain guides for this

More stain advice