Cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie has revealed three household remedies for tackling stubborn sun cream stains on clothing, including one she described as 'unusual'. The 'Queen of Clean' appeared on ITV's This Morning in 2025 to discuss stain removal, noting that during summer she is asked about sun cream stains almost every day.
Tea tree oil as a degreaser
Lynsey explained that sun cream is grease-based, so ingredients with natural degreasing qualities are needed to lift the stain and 'soak up the grease'. She championed tea tree oil, saying: 'And a really unusual method for sun cream stains is actually tea tree oil. It's actually a natural degreaser in there, so don't use too much and dilute it with water, so don't just drop it on, mix it with water and that combats it as well.'
Tea tree oil's antibacterial and antiseptic qualities make it effective for stain removal.
Other household remedies
Lynsey also recommended a mixture of baking soda and washing up liquid. She said: 'Sprinkle the bicarb on, dampen it slightly first then add some washing up liquid, little toothbrush, leave it to soak.' She advised allowing the mixture to work for a few hours for the stain to vanish. Alternatively, white vinegar can be applied generously and left to soak.
Why sun cream stains are stubborn
If left untreated, the oils, emulsifiers, and chemical UV filters in sunscreen react with fabric dyes and may interact with minerals in water or perspiration, causing discolouration, fading, or yellowish-brown marks, especially on synthetic materials like polyester or nylon.
