How to Fix Bacon Neck: 6 Tactics to Revive Saggy, Wrinkled Shirt Collars

Nothing ruins the crisp look of a collared shirt faster than the dreaded “bacon neck.” Those annoying wrinkles and folds that appear after washing can make even the nicest shirts look sloppy.

Luckily, there are several easy ways to smooth and restore limp, wrinkly shirt collars With the right techniques, you can revive saggy bacon neck and keep your collars looking sharp

In this article, we’ll cover 6 simple fixes to rescue rumpled shirt collars, so you can always put your best neck forward.

What Causes Bacon Neck?

Before diving into solutions, let’s look at what causes bacon neck in the first place.

There are two main culprits:

Heat – The intense heat of dryers weakens the fibers in shirt collars, allowing creases to form

Agitation – Collars get jostled and twisted during washing, leaving wrinkles and folds.

Cotton and cotton-blend shirts are especially vulnerable since they wrinkle easily. But any shirt collar can develop bacon neck after enough cycles through the washer and dryer.

Now let’s look at how to remedy the situation.

Ironing

Ironing is the traditional go-to for de-wrinkling shirts. The heat helps relax fibers so collars smooth out flat.

How to iron out bacon neck:

• Allow shirt to air dry slightly after washing. Ironing very wet fabric can damage fibers.

• Lay collar flat and iron inside first, then outside.

• Use moderate heat for cotton/blends. Take care not to scorch delicate synthetics like polyester.

• Apply steady downward pressure as you iron to flatten creases.

• Be patient. It can take multiple passes over stubborn wrinkles.

• Finish by ironing entire shirt for a crisp overall look.

With practice, ironing can banish bacon neck for a neat appearance. Just be sure to use the right settings for each fabric.

Dry Cleaning

Most dry cleaners offer “shirt service” for $1-2 per shirt. Their commercial equipment uses chemical solvents and heat to remove wrinkles and reshape collars.

Benefits of dry cleaning for bacon neck:

• No work required—drop off and pick up pressed shirts.

• Strong solvents remove tough creases and wrinkles.

• Starch or sizing helps stiffen collars so they hold their shape.

• Professional equipment gets a crisp, “like new” finish.

Just keep in mind that frequent dry cleaning can shorten garment life. Save it for occasional deep cleaning rather than regular bacon neck duty.

Snug Neck Devices

Recently, snug-fitting plastic neck devices have emerged as an alternative for fixing rumpled collars overnight.

Brands like SnapCollar use gentle compression to smooth wrinkles. The concept is similar to orthodontic retainers.

How collar straighteners work:

• Collar is inserted into plastic device while shirt is wet.

• Device applies light pressure as collar dries overnight.

• In the morning, the collar has straightened out.

• Devices are reusable and work on all types of collars.

• Great for travel since there’s no ironing required.

For a quick morning fix without the hassle of ironing, collar straighteners are worth a try.

Shower Steaming

Some people swear by shower steaming to relax wrinkles in shirts. The idea is that the hot, humid air releases fiber tension.

To steam away bacon neck in the shower:

• Hang or lay the wrinkled shirt in the bathroom before showering.

• Run a very hot shower until the room gets steamy.

• Leave shirt in bathroom during entire shower for maximum steam exposure.

• Remove shirt and smooth collar while still warm.

• Refine with touch-up ironing if needed.

While not a perfect solution, shower steaming helps reduce wrinkles and can refresh shirts between washes.

Roll Collar Over Cylinder

For a quick fix in a pinch, tightly rolling the collar around a cylindrical object can help straighten out kinks.

How to roll out bacon neck:

• Lay shirt flat and button top button to secure collar points.

• Start rolling collar evenly around a cylindrical object like a glass or towel rod.

• Apply firm, even pressure as you roll.

• Leave rolled 5-10 minutes for creases to relax.

• Unroll and smooth flat.

This works best on very wrinkled collars. For minor bacon neck, ironing is more effective.

Reshape While Damp

After washing shirts, you can manually reshape collars before drying for a smoother finish.

Tips for reshaping wet collars:

• Don’t overpack washer so collars have room to move freely.

• Remove shirts promptly after washing.

• Gently pull and smooth collars into proper shape.

• Roll up shirt with collar smoothed flat against itself.

• Let air dry rolled up before wearing or drying.

Reshaping damp collars helps them dry wrinkle-free. Combine with ironing or steaming for extra crispness.

Bonus Tips for Preventing Bacon Neck

Fixing wrinkled collars is a chore. Here are some tips to avoid bacon neck in the first place:

• Wash shirts inside-out so collars aren’t exposed.

• Use gentle cycles and low heat for drying.

• Allow shirts to air dry before finishing in dryer.

• Use fabric softener or conditioner to soften fibers.

• If ironing, starch collars before washing to help them hold shape.

• Hang dress shirts on wide, padded hangers to support collar.

With some care when laundering and storing, you can avoid the dreaded bacon neck entirely. But when it does inevitably strike, turn to these fixes to restore your collars to their rightful crispness.

Say goodbye to saggy, rumpled bacon neck and revive your shirt collars! With the right techniques and a little diligence, it’s easy to keep your collars looking their best.

Summary of Bacon Neck Fixes:

• Iron properly for your fabric
• Use dry cleaning occasionally for deep smoothing
• Try snug collar straightening devices
• Steam shirts in the bathroom
• Roll tightly over a cylinder while damp
• Reshape wet collars after washing
• Prevent with proper laundry and storage habits

With this arsenal of collar-saving tips, you can slay bacon neck and fix rumpled shirts in no time. No more walking around looking like an untucked breakfast slice! Just pick the method that works best for your situation.

Now go forth and fight the wrinkles until every collar in your closet looks crisp enough to serve with eggs and toast. You’ve got this!