How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From Clothes Without Ruining White or Delicate Fabrics
People who love to explore beaches and want to spend quality time with their family would never miss such an opportunity. Multiple activities like volleyball and swimming will give them a moment to remember. However, there’s a concern that worries people: sunscreen. The reaction with sweat and water will leave yellow marks, damaging your clothes. For a solution, you can seek assistance from an expert cleaner like Love2Laundry on how to remove sunscreen stains from clothes.
We’ll guide our customers on using the correct instructions, materials, and additional tips to remove sunscreen stains in the future. This way, you can maintain a durable cleaning routine for your delicate outfits.
For more details on sunscreen stain removal, continue reading the blog for your answer.
Why Sunscreen Stains Are Hard to Remove From Clothes
Sunscreen stains are persistent because many formulations contain oils, such as avobenzone. These ingredients are designed to stay on the skin, causing them to cling when transferred onto clothes and into fabric fibers. It would be tough to know how to remove sunscreen stains from clothes like this.
Moreover, white and light-colored clothes can combine with avobenzone, which can then combine with minerals in water, resulting in yellow-orange shades. Hence, opting for adequate enzymes for delicate fabrics can help absorb these oils better, making stains harder to lift without careful treatment.
What You Should Know Before Treating Sunscreen Stains
There are a few precautions you should take before attempting to remove a sunscreen stain. Overly aggressive action or wrong treatment could merely spread the stain, weaken fibers, or permanently set the mark in the fabric.
Check the Fabric Care Label First
Make sure to read the care label to see how the piece of clothing should be washed. Symbols that represent the type of water temperature, wash cycle, and drying instructions should be sought.
Certain kinds of clothes, such as silk, chiffon, or lace, need a bit more gentle handling and cold water with some mild detergent. Not following this can shrink, discolor, or cause damage to the fabric. If the fabric label reads “dry clean only,” use solvents or professional services rather than detergents.
Avoid Heat Until the Stain Is Fully Gone
Heat is one of the main enemies in removing sunscreen stains. Hot water, steam, or tumble dryers will bond the oily sunscreen ingredients to the fabric fibers, as if they were glued. Always use cold or cool water, and allow the stain to remove completely before using any heat.
Also Read – Want to know laundry tips for the hot Bahraini summer season? Check out our blog for details.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From Clothes Safely
Successful removal of sunscreen stains depends on acting quickly and using safe-for-fabric techniques. Follow these steps to lift stains without damaging clothes.
Step 1 – Act Quickly to Prevent Set-In Stains
Fresh stains are always easier to remove compared to dried or set-in stains. If left untreated, oils soak deeper into the fibers and begin reacting to heat or minerals. It’ll let you get the fresh sunscreen stains from getting dry and sticking to the fibers, damaging your clothes.
Step 2 – Gently Blot Excess Sunscreen
Using a clean paper towel or soft cloth, blot the stain. Do not rub, as this pushes the oily residue deeper into the fabric and spreads the stain to an even larger area. Blotting the sunscreen will let you remove excess, which’ll prevent the cleaning agent from penetrating deep into the fiber.
Step 3 – Rinse With Cold Water Only
Cold water pushes the sunscreen out rather than deeper into the fibers, helping loosen oil without setting the stain. Hot water in such a situation will spread the sunscreen into the fibers instead of removing it. So, remember to always rinse with cold water.
Step 4 – Pre-Treat With a Mild Stain Remover or Liquid Detergent
Put a small amount of gentle liquid detergent or mild stain remover directly onto the stain. Use those products that are safe for whites and delicate fabrics. Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals during this initial stage.
Step 5 – Soak Carefully for Stubborn or Yellow Stains
For very stubborn stains, soak the garment in cold or lukewarm water for 30 minutes to an hour. Care labels for delicate fabrics state whether soaking is allowed. Even the soaking time should be limited to prevent fiber damage.
Step 6 – Wash Using the Safest Setting for the Fabric
Wash the garment on the gentlest appropriate cycle using the recommended amount of detergent. Stick to cold water unless the care label clearly states otherwise. The reason is that the fabric-sustaining sunscreen is delicate, and if an unsuitable detergent is used, there will be significant damage. Check the outfit label to see which detergent type it is.
Step 7 – Check the Stain Before Drying
Before placing the garment in the dryer or hanging it in the sun, carefully inspect the stained area. If the stain is still evident, repeat the treatment. Drying a product that has not been treated can seal the mark into the fabric.
Also Read – If you have a question, does dry cleaning remove stains? Read our blog and get your answer.
How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From White Clothes
White clothing is always at risk of turning yellow or orange from sunscreen. The secret is using whitening-safe methods of stain removal that do not compromise the fabric’s strength and brightness. So, how to remove sunscreen stains from clothes that are white? Here’s the solution.
Best Cleaning Methods for White Fabrics
Oxygen-based cleaners are safe and effective on white clothes. They actually break down oily residues, brighten and clean without the harshness of chlorine bleach. Gentle soaking and thorough rinsing can also prevent yellowing over time, making it an effective sunscreen stain removal technique.
How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From Delicate Fabrics
Delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, linen, and satin require extra caution, as their fibers are more fragile and absorb moisture quickly. In such a situation, handwashing the fabric would be appropriate. If you don’t know the instructions, here are some tips to remove sunscreen stains through handwashing.
When Hand Washing Is the Best Option
Hand washing is nearly always the safest option for washing delicate clothes. Machine washing can stretch, tear, or damage the texture. Rinse in cold water, use a mild detergent, and gently move the garment through the water to lift the stain without stressing the fabric. Adding a water softener to the procedure would be effective.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Sunscreen Stains
Many sunscreen stains become permanent when improperly treated. Knowing what to avoid can save your clothes from lasting defects. Here are the common mistakes you should avoid when using the sunscreen stain removal technique.
Using Hot Water Too Soon
Hot water will set most sunscreens’ stains permanently by bonding fixed oils to the fibers of fabrics. It will therefore always be cold water and only the warmest temperature allowed by the care label after the stain is gone.
Scrubbing Delicate Fabrics
Longitudinal scrubbing may weaken the fibers, cause fraying, and spread the stain even further. Instead, gray blotting and a gentle soak are all harmful for the really precious fabrics.
Drying Clothes With Stains Still Visible
The dryer heat locks up or fixes the stain, and so does the sunlight. So always check thoroughly before putting in the dryer, and repeat the stain removal steps if needed.
Also Read – Comparing dry clean vs home wash and still confused? Read the blog and see which one would be effective.
How to Prevent Sunscreen Stains on Clothes
Most often, preventive measures are easier to take against sunscreen stains than to remove them from the cloth. A few simple habits will easily protect clothes in summer.
Apply Sunscreen Before Getting Dressed
Let the sunscreen absorb into your skin for at least 10-15 minutes before putting on your clothes to save the garment from sustaining a stain through absorption.
Choose Mineral-Based Sunscreens
Generally, less oily mineral sunscreens are expected to cause much fewer nasty reactions with fabrics, leaving fewer yellow or greasy marks on your clothing.
Wear Stain-Resistant Summer Fabrics
Opt for breathable textures or darker colors in the summer months. These can easily hide the marks left by sunscreens and are less likely to stain, making cleanup easier when they do.
When to Choose Professional Laundry & Dry Cleaning Services
Even after understanding how to remove sunscreen stains from clothes, you’re not getting the desired result? It’s time you should look for a professional cleaner like Love2Laundry. We not only offer quality cleaning with sustainable techniques, but also a cost-effective pricing structure. Customers can choose a plan that best suits their requirements.
Moreover, if you have any queries, you can contact us anytime as our customer service is available 24/7. With a free pickup and delivery, the convenience will make your routine hurdle-free. So, book now and get your outfits cleaned professionally.
Why Professional Care Is Safer for White & Delicate Clothes
Professional care is safer for white and delicate clothes due to a combination of fabric knowledge, controlled processes, and specialized products that protect color and fiber quality. Here are the benefits you’ll get from an expert if you don’t know how to remove sunscreen stains from clothes.
Subject-Matter Expert Fabric Analysis
Understanding of the fabric type, weave, and dye sensitivity. For example, silk, chiffon, lace, and fine cotton require a different handling than everyday garments. This assessment prevents shrinkage, color bleeding, or fiber damage.
Dedicated Stain Treatment
Instead of relying on caustic home-grade chemicals, professional cleaners solely utilize fabric-safe, stain-specific solutions. Yellowing or dullness from over-bleaching is avoided for whites, whereas delicate fabrics do not get weakened, rendered rough, or stained permanently.
Controlled Washing Methods
Professional machines provide precise control over water temperature, agitation, and wash time. Low-impact handling with gentle cycles enables the safe removal of stains while maintaining the least possible stress on fragile fibers.
FAQ’s – How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From Clothes
How do I get sunscreen stains out of clothes?
It’s better to act quickly when removing sunscreen stains from your clothes. Start by blotting the stained area with a clean towel, rinsing your clothes with cold water, applying a heavy-duty detergent, and leaving it for 15 to 30 minutes before the final wash.
Can vinegar remove sunscreen stains?
Yes, you can use vinegar to remove sunscreen stains from your clothes; it acts as a natural cleaner. Start by preparing the cleaning solution by mixing white vinegar and water. Apply the solution to your clothes and leave it for 15 minutes. Now, wash your fabric to remove the yellow marks.
Why is sunscreen turning my clothes orange?
The reason sunscreen turns clothes orange or yellow is the chemical in the sunscreen that reacts with water. If you ignore your clothes, the orange marks will spread further, and you might need to look for professional laundry services.
Let Love2Laundry Bahrain Handle Tough Sunscreen Stains
Now that you know how to remove sunscreen stains from clothes, there won’t be any hurdles or delays in the washing process. With a step-by-step guide, you can wash your clothes quickly by using modern supplies.
Furthermore, keeping the tips to remove sunscreen stains requires you not to use hot water and scrubbing delicate fabrics, so you can say goodbye to the damage that might occur during the washing procedure.
