After much trial and error, beauty and travel editor Laura Mulley has hit upon a foolproof three-step formula for removing stubborn sunscreen and make-up stains from clothes
I feel like I talk about this a lot, but it’s one of my biggest bugbears in summer: the frustration of seeing my favourite light-coloured summer clothing constantly ruined from wearing sun cream. And as someone who travels a lot as part of my job as a travel editor, this was becoming a regular problem.
I’ve tried so many solutions found on the internet, from sun-bleaching and citric acid to rust removers and lemon juice, but none or these worked. However, after years of trial and error, I’ve hit upon a three-step process that removes the worst of these stains from clothes, using products you can easily find in the supermarket or on Amazon.
Not just useful after a hot holiday when you slather on sun cream regularly, this process also works on collars and necklines that have been discoloured by skincare products containing SPF (which of course you should be wearing every day) or foundation.
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It’s not the quickest (it takes about 24 hours in total) and it hasn’t removed some of the very old, very yellow marks, but it’s what works best for me. It might be worth researching trying to find a sunscreen that doesn’t contain avobenzone, oxybenzone or octocrylene, said to be the main culprits; this isn’t an easy task, but I found that this one didn’t leave lasting stains. SPF oils appear to be the worst for this.
I should note first, however, that I’m not a laundry expect – this is simply what works for me – so do always read your item’s care label beforehand, and use your best judgement.
How to remove sun cream stains from clothes
Step one
The first thing I do is apply Vanish PowerGel Stain Remover (£6) to the affected areas, and spray it with a little Elbow Grease (currently a very good price of £1.99 for a big one litre bottle) – these could be applied in either order. As its name suggests, Elbow Grease breaks down the oil element of the sunscreen, and was a tip given to me by the mum of a messy toddler.
Leave these two products on the clothing for a few minutes (Vanish advises that their product is left on for five minutes maximum, but I’m sure I’ve exceeded this).
Step two
The step that I think makes the most difference. Fill a big bowl or bucket with warm water, a handful of Napisan (currently £9.49) and a squirt of Fairy Liquid, and leave your clothes to soak in this solution overnight. Washing up liquid again helps to break down grease, and Napisan is the star product, a miracle stain remover I learnt about from another mum. You must leave it to work overnight, but it works brilliantly (it’s also great for getting trainers back to white).
Step three
In the morning, wash your clothes on a slightly hotter washing machine cycle if the fabrics can take it (check the care label), with a cupful of ACE Ultra For Colours Stain Remover (£10.48 for two) instead of your usual detergent, which I think this adds the final helping hand in the fight against sun cream stains.
This method isn’t 100% perfect but it leaves my white clothes looking better than any other product or trick I’ve tried, and I’ll never be without these five household products in my cupboard now.