How to remove sunscreen stains from clothing

When you're putting on sunscreen, it turns out it's normal for a piece to fall on top of your clothes, your bathing suit or even your bikini. If you let it dry, there might be some stains. Learn how to clean them effectively.

04/08/2026
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O sunscreen is that cream you should use every day. However, for the vast majority of cases, it is in the summer that it ends up being most used. When you put it, either on the beach or at home, you can drop a few drops on your clothes. When it's dry, they end up staining. Know how to get them out.

The Good Housekeeping website has spoken to some experts to understand how to avoid and how to remove these stains. They begin by saying that some of the ingredients that help protect against UV rays can fix on the fabrics and leave stains if they are not cleaned.

Clothes. How to remove sunblock spots

“ Sunscreens contain oils, waxes and filter ingredients that are designed to adhere to the skin, but can also be attached to the fibers of the tissues. In some cases, there are ingredients that act with water and that even leave yellow or rust spots” explains Noah Pinssonnault.

These kind of stains turn out to be something inevitable this time of year. If something like this happens to you, one of the first steps is to act quickly. If you're home, put on some soap or dish detergent. It is the best option to put up with these products that are more oily and greasy. Apply to the stain and let it last for 10 to 15 minutes.

Then, wash the piece according to the label indications and with hot water that the fabric can withstand. In white pieces, some bleach may also help. It is recommended not to dry the part if the stain is visible after washing, nor to put it in the dryer.

The heat can further fix the stain or even make it more complicated to remove. In that case, you must resume the proceedings.

How to avoid sunblock spots

The expert also left some advice to avoid such stains. For example, you should wait about 10 minutes after applying the cream before wearing any clothes.

On the other hand, he advises to wear more delicate or old clothes. Pay attention to the use of backpacks and bags immediately thereafter that help cause friction and create the protective stain on your clothing. When applying on the beach, let it soak before lying on the towel to avoid stains as well.

From ears to armpits: 8 critical areas where it is rare to put sunscreen

When you go to the beach, do you think you're protecting the whole body well? Look, there are critical areas where you may be forgetting to put on your sunscreen. In the case of some people, it's really rare that they do. Understand the consequences.

Adriano Guerreiro