Stain Removal: how to get sun cream off your clothes

Try these stain hacks to remove those tricky sunscreen marks!
For further inspiration, tips and guidance visit
loveyourclothes...
Sun’s out, sun cream’s out!
There’s nothing better than a rare British summer’s day, but sun cream stains can be tricky to remove. Watch our video guide for step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of sunscreen stains so you can get back outside and enjoy some rays!
We hope that you find the tips and suggestions in these videos helpful and fun to follow. Please note that no guarantees are given that any particular results will be achieved and WRAP accepts no responsibility for any damage caused as a result of following these guides.
Always read and follow the use and care instructions that come with any products and if in doubt you should seek advice from a specialist.
YOU WILL NEED
,Kitchen towel, or clean dry cloth
Washing up liquid
White vinegar
REMOVE
Firstly, try blotting the sun cream stain with kitchen towel, to remove as much of the cream or oil as possible. Don’t rub it as you may drive the stain in deeper.
TREAT
Apply neat washing up liquid and rub into the stain to remove as much of the oil as possible, and then rinse in cold water. Next, soak the item in a solution of approximately half white vinegar and half cold water for about an hour.
WASH
Now, wash and dry the item as normal, and if possible leave to dry in the sun, as it has a natural bleaching quality. The sun cream stain should now be gone! If there are any marks still showing, try repeating the procedure.

[@martinaclay540]

This really works and even got stains out of a white top I have avoided for years and was ready to bin but it had special memories attached and now can’t wait to wear it again. I was so surprised how well it worked with two tops that had very old yellow stains so thank you for posting this.

[@ManjitKaurRuprai]

This worked a treat on my favourite white cardigan that was stained with sun cream all down the arms. I thought I would have to throw it away, but just a few simple things at home did the trick. Sun cream all removed. I am not sure how it works on other coloured clothing but it worked on my white cardigan.

[@loveyourclothes985]

Great to hear this Manjit!

[@damjanneshovski]

It worked for me, although I had to do it a couple of times, like she mentioned.

[@TheLarriveeman]

We’ll I used this method on a brown shirt ,it worked perfectly

[@bordgard1]

I used your advice to finally remove extensive, 30+ year-old sunscreen stains from a "Dole-Hawaii" corduroy cap I wore extensively back when I lived on Oahu. Until now, it was far too stained to wear, but I remained loathe to part with one of my favorite caps. Now, it’s reborn again. P.S. You’re cute!

[@nigel2093]

Amazing, THIS REALLY WORKS! I ruined my favourite Ralph Lauren white cotton shirt with sunblock, and this got them out perfectly, and I did it in November in the UK so didn't have sunlight to bleach it either.

[@sarah3796]

Hi I'm Australian of British decent so wear a lot of sunscreen. Thank you for this

[@namrocketanimal5501]

Thank you so much. Helped me removed the stain completely

[@markwatts418]

Tried this today unfortunately it does not work on factor 50 sun cream stains

[@dudie5403]

Ok let's give this a go. I tried stain remover which didn't work, I tried soft household soap which didn't work either. And now I'm training this... my favourite white jeans short is all stained by sunscreen :(

[@ShadowsandCityLights]

So did it work?

[@dudie5403]

@@ShadowsandCityLights no, unfortunately

[@hamala7437]

true, sun will lighten those unseen oily spots on theee clothes !!

[@brumemmacassidy]

This worked brilliantly on my kids white school shirt

[@sherylmarshall1444]

Does this still work once you've washed your top twice (once 40 degrees with vinegar in the drum, second time 60 degree bicarbonate of soda in the drum). This is the first week back to school and it was sunny at the start of the week so all the kids brand new polo shirts are ruined !! Please help, also it's not just a small amount is over most of it as we were in a hurray so kids were creamed up and clothes straight on. I will never do this again and always allow to dry gutted as eight polo shirts ruined!! Also does anyone who know if I had let the cream dry would it still have stained? I cannot send kids to school unprotected to save polo shirts but on the same note cannot afford new one's everytime it's hot! All help appreciated, many thanks.

[@ewa_k1539]

Thanks ❤

[@suereeves5994]

Didn't work for me, unfortunately. Got a new white beach kaftan covered, tried this method, no good, so tried bleach, went bright pink! Dyed it in the end

[@davedebang-bang6168]

Hi. I’ve never had a problem with stains in my life (im 42 and completely obsessed with my laundry ) my problems started when I bought a miele washing machine for the price you would expect it to be the best but no My old Hoover nextra was the best machine I’ve ever owned. If I had stains I always used washing up liquid and the stains would go. Not in the miele. We just came back from 11 days in turkey with temperatures of 45 degrees so I used sun cream. Washed my whites at 60 degrees with washing up liquid round the neck and arms on the t shirts and vests. 2 hours 6 mins later the stains are still there. I’ve always used daz powder and never had a problem. My friends used to bring their whites to me for me to make them white again. I hate my miele washing machine I think stain removal depends a lot on the type of washing machine you have. Just put the whites back in on 80 degrees and heavy wash setting. Let’s see what happens in 3hours 55 mins.

[@loveyourclothes985]

Hi Dave - sorry to hear that! We've got more tips on brightening white clothes which may be worth a look. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIDYgaFsopV8jNk

[@susanneflora3133]

Did it work with a higher temperature?

[@missbinga]

Honestly I dont think its washing machine problem , and not becUse miele. Each products suncreams has different ingredients, some are really bad with hard chemicals , you will not get it out , no way

[@FancyDress21]

Would apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar work?

[@CodingAbroad]

No

[@hdyt_TV]

im from staffordshire 😳

[@PeterVanLoonScoots]

This method completely ruined my $50 blue shirt. Do not use it unless your shirt is white. Shame on me for not just taking it to the dry cleaners :/

[@abcdtyny]

Peter Van Loon Thank you for your advice.

[@TheLarriveeman]

I did it on a brown shirt work great 🤷‍♂️

[@baharakzarbafian]

Would this work on black shirt?!

[@WarBrokenSP9]

Oh how convenient, heres a brand new t-shirt i did yesterday with no stains on it, i promise it was all yellow yesterday! 😂

[@irishgolftimes]

Gave it a go, unfortunately it didn't work in the slightest. Wouldn't waste my time again.

[@deunasni2751]

What a beautiful lady...

[@jvheg473]

Didn't work for me

[@taurus_says_hi8404]

I shan't look like a peasant any more

[@ladespedida123]

It does not work

[@nickytaylor2687]

Ń

[@emmahighfield6966]

Do not use this method. Made the sun cream stains on my clothes even darker

[@sipulen3439]

What should I do then?