[Essential Items for Job Hunting ID Photos] How to Remove Shirt Stains: Sebum Stain Edition

September 8, 2026 September 8, 2026

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When it comes to job hunting ID photos, the most important point is a clean and presentable look.

Since ID photos capture your upper body, the collar stands out in particular. Even small stains on a white collar can catch the eye. If you plan to wear a shirt you already own for your ID photo shoot, make sure to check whether there are any stains on the collar.

This time, we will introduce methods to prevent collar stains on your dress shirt, as well as how to wash it if the collar does get dirty!

Watch Out for Sebum Stains on Shirts Worn for ID Photos!

Yellowing and darkening tend to occur on the inside of the collar. The cause of both is sebum.

Yellowing is caused by the accumulation of sebum stains, while darkening happens when dust and dirt adhere to the sebum.

The collar is an area that rubs against the skin of your neck and shoulders. Because of this, sebum easily penetrates deep into the fabric fibers, often turning into stubborn stains.

In addition, sweat and hair styling products are also causes that make stains even more stubborn.

For job seekers who wear long-sleeved shirts even in the hot summer and use styling products to keep their hair in place, these stains are difficult to avoid.

When exposed to UV rays and air, these stains oxidize and darken, so be sure to deal with them early!

How to Remove Stains from Shirts Worn for ID Photos ①: Dish Soap

Sebum is, literally, fat.

In other words, since sebum stains are oil stains, they can be removed with dish soap!

＜What to prepare＞

・Dish soap

・Lukewarm water

・Washbasin

・An unused toothbrush

Soak the areas of concern, such as the collar and cuffs, in lukewarm water to get them wet.
Apply dish soap to the dirty areas and tap gently with a toothbrush to work the soap well into the fabric.
Rinse once the stain floats up.
Wash as usual in the washing machine.

This method can also be used when you accidentally spill food or drinks on your shirt.

How to Remove Stains from Shirts Worn for ID Photos ②: Oxygen Bleach

The method using oxygen bleach is easy and takes only 30 minutes of soaking.

＜What to prepare＞

・Oxygen bleach

・Lukewarm water

・Washbasin

Dissolve oxygen bleach in lukewarm water.
Soak the shirt in the lukewarm water from step 1 for about 30 minutes.
Wash as usual in the washing machine.

Although it is a simple method, be careful with the soaking time. To prevent damage to the fabric, do not leave it soaked for more than 2 hours.

How to Remove Stains from Shirts Worn for ID Photos ③: Oxygen Bleach + Baking Soda

Please note that this method may cause colors or patterns to fade.

Even when using this method on a white shirt, always check the laundry care label beforehand.

＜What to prepare＞

・Oxygen bleach

・Baking soda

・An unused toothbrush

・Steam iron or hairdryer

Mix oxygen bleach and baking soda in a 2:1 ratio.If the bleach is in powder form, add an appropriate amount of lukewarm water to make a paste.
Spread the detergent mixture made in step 1 over the dirty areas, and tap gently with a toothbrush to let it soak into the fabric.
Apply steam from an iron to the fabric soaked with detergent.If you do not have a steam iron, hot air from a hairdryer works as well.
Rinse lightly with water once the stain floats up.
Wash as usual in the washing machine.

This is an effective method even for very stubborn stains. It takes a little extra effort, but please try it out when you have stains you really want to remove!

This time, we introduced methods for removing sebum stains from dress shirts!

All the methods introduced this time can be used on parts other than the collar, so they are recommended as preparation before days when you want to pay special attention to your personal grooming, such as ID photo shoots or important interviews.