Sun cream stains on clothes can be removed by soaking the garments in citric acid before washing, according to cleaning expert Anna Louisa, known as Anna Louisa at Home on TikTok. This natural pre-treatment is effective at breaking down the residue and brightening discoloured whites.
How to pre-treat sun cream stains
Anna Louisa recommends filling a bathtub, bucket, or large bowl with water and adding citric acid. Soak the stained clothes in this solution, along with a scoop of Napisan or Oxi Action. This method works particularly well on stains that have left clothes discoloured.
For best results, Good Housekeeping suggests leaving the garments to soak overnight before washing them on a regular cycle the following day. After soaking, ring out any excess liquid and place the clothes in the washing machine on a normal cycle. The unsightly sun cream stains should disappear.
Additional tips
Anna Louisa also suggests adding white vinegar to the washing machine's dispenser in place of fabric softener. She explained that this helps to lift any “lingering odours and residue”.
Citric acid has natural bleaching qualities, working to brighten any faded or dull whites. It also works to break down the sun cream residue clinging to the clothes’ fabric, making it a great option for pre-treating stains before washing.
If sun cream stains are left untreated, the oils, emulsifiers, and chemical UV filters within the sunscreen will react with fabric dyes, and may also interact with minerals present in water or perspiration. This can result in discolouration, fading, or yellowish-brown marks, particularly on synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon.
Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at Smol, told Woman & Home: “Citric acid is a brilliant, natural cleaner that’s perfect for tackling limescale, soap scum, and mineral deposits.”
