How to get sun cream stains out of clothes? Expert tips

Whether you’re enjoying a day at the beach or simply out for a walk, sun cream is a must for protecting your skin.

Unfortunately, it can also leave stubborn marks on clothing, a problem recently raised by a user in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips group who struggled to remove stains from cotton tops.

Despite soaking the tops in Napisan, washing at 40C with Vanish White Oxi Action, and drying them in the sun, the user said the stains remained and asked: “Is there anything else I can do before I have to bin them?”

Pre-treating sun cream stains on clothes is important before washing them (Image: Getty Images)

A number of clothing and cleaning experts have shared their best tips for getting sun cream stains out of clothes.

How to get sun cream stains out of clothes

Catherine Green, a sustainable cleaning expert at smol, said: “While slapping on the SPF is absolutely essential, the oils and minerals can leave behind nightmare yellow stains on our clothes that are a real pain to shift.

“Annoyingly, they often don’t show up until they’ve been through the wash because chemical UV filters (especially avobenzone) react with minerals like iron or calcium in your tap water.

“But don’t panic, getting rid of this unwanted summer staple is actually pretty straightforward.”

Ms Green advised acting quickly by taking off the garment, rinsing the stain under cold water, and gently massaging a small amount of washing up liquid into the area.

She said: “Soak the stained area in a mixture of one cup of distilled white vinegar to two litres of cold water, for 20 minutes, before putting it in the wash.

“The vinegar will naturally help break down those stubborn minerals and oils.

“I definitely wouldn’t recommend the tumble dryer, as the high heat can permanently trap any residual stains right into the clothing fibres.”

Noor de Swart, founder and CEO of Super Label Store, suggested a different approach for white cotton items.

She said: “If it’s a white cotton top and the yellow mark is still there, you can try a paste of baking soda and water.

“Leave it sitting on the area for around half an hour and then rinse it out.

“It might take another try if the stain has already been there for a while.

“I’d be a bit more careful with coloured clothes, because some of the things people use at home for stains can also take colour out.

“Lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide are good examples of that, so test it somewhere hidden first rather than finding out on the front of the shirt.”

It is recommended to avoid tumble drying sun cream stained clothes (Image: Getty Images)

Chloe Blanchfield, product marketing manager at Hisense, recommended pre-treating the stain before washing and said to use a gentle cycle.

She said: “When putting suncream-stained items in the washing machine, you should ensure you wash on a gentle cycle, using a low temperature at around 30°C and add a mild detergent to prevent aggravating the stain.

“Make sure to avoid a hot water cycle as this can set the stain, and consider adding a stain remover to the cycle for even more targeted removal.”

Rosie Webbon, swimwear buyer at Pour Moi, offered advice for stains on swimming costumes.

She said: “Keep everything cool – rinse, soak and wash in cool or lukewarm water.

“Hot water breaks down elastane over time, so your swimwear will lose its shape and stretch much faster if washed warm.

“Be gentle when treating the stain – swap the toothbrush scrub for fingers or a soft cloth.”

Discussing an approach for white clothes, Nicola Barker, Head of Buying at Suit Direct, said: “If you have some yellow staining on your whites from suncream, avoid bleach or whitening powders which can worsen the stains and cause pink and red stains to develop.”

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She continued: “After using these pre-treatments, pop your whites in a cool or warm cycle using your regular detergent, avoiding whitening powders.

“Instead of tumble drying, air dry your clothes in an area with good sunlight exposure – the UV rays will act as a natural bleaching agent and help fade any remaining yellow marks.”

Gail Downie, head of garment technology at M&S, advised air drying after washing and warned against using heat until you’re sure the stain is gone.

She said: “Whilst this technique can help lift suncream stains, I would be cautious with delicate fabrics.

“Be warned, some substances can lighten or damage some fabrics.”

“Make sure to test on a discreet small area first or alternatively, use more conventional laundry products which are tested on a breadth of materials.”

Have you faced issues getting sun cream stains out of clothes? Let us know in the comments.