Summer brings sunshine, beach days, and, unfortunately, stubborn stains on our favorite outfits. From greasy sunscreen marks to gritty sand and crusty saltwater residue, these summer souvenirs can be challenging to remove. At OXXO Cleaners that Care, we understand the frustration of discovering these stains on your cherished garments. Here’s our comprehensive guide to tackling these common summer stain issues while preserving your clothing:
Why Summer Stains Can Be Challenging
Summer stains from beach activities contain multiple components, like chemical UV filters in sunscreens, that make them particularly difficult to remove from fabrics. Sunscreen combines oily ingredients with chemical UV filters, while sand particles can become deeply embedded in fabric fibers. Saltwater leaves behind mineral deposits that can actually damage fabrics if left untreated. The combination of these elements creates complex stains that often require specific treatment methods rather than just a regular wash cycle. Understanding each stain’s unique properties helps us approach removal more effectively.
How to Remove Sunscreen Stains From Clothing
Sunscreen stains require immediate treatment with dish soap to break down the oils before they set permanently in the fabric. Acting quickly is your best defense against sunscreen stains. As soon as you notice a mark, gently blot—but don’t rub—excess sunscreen with a clean cloth or paper towel. Pre-treat the stain by applying a small amount of liquid dish soap directly to the affected area and gently working it in with your fingers. Dish soap is particularly effective because it’s designed to break down oils, which are the main component in most sunscreens. For stubborn or dried sunscreen stains, create a paste using equal parts baking soda and water, apply to the stain, and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing your clothes as usual in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Effective Methods to Remove Sand From Your Clothes
Sand removal works best with mechanical methods like shaking and brushing before washing to prevent sand particles from becoming more embedded during the wash cycle. Before attempting to wash sandy clothes, take them outside and give them a good shake to remove loose particles. For stubborn and embedded sand, allow the garment to completely dry first, then use a soft brush to gently work away the sand in a downward motion. You can also try using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner for delicate fabrics. Once you’ve removed as much dry sand as possible, wash the item as usual. The key is getting rid of as much sand as possible before introducing water, which can push particles deeper into the fabric.
Tackling Stubborn Saltwater Stains
Knowing how to remove saltwater stains from your clothing is important; they need to be rinsed thoroughly with clean water and treated with white vinegar to neutralize the salt deposits that cause discoloration. When saltwater dries on fabric, it leaves behind salt crystals that can damage fibers and create white residue or rings. For fresh saltwater exposure, immediately rinse the garment in clean, cold water to dissolve the salt before it dries. For dried saltwater stains, soak the affected item in a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water for about 30 minutes. The vinegar helps neutralize and dissolve the salt deposits. After soaking, wash the garment normally. For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, use cold water only and consider a specialty detergent formulated for these materials.
Preventative Measures for Beach Day Clothes
Prevention is your best strategy by applying sunscreen 20 minutes before dressing and rinsing beach clothes with fresh water immediately after use. We recommend applying sunscreen at least 20 minutes before putting on your beach attire, giving it time to absorb into your skin rather than transfer to your clothing. Also, consider wearing darker colors or patterned fabrics, which show stains less obviously than light colors. After a beach day, shake out sand and rinse all items in fresh water as soon as possible, even if you can’t wash them right away. This quick rinse prevents salt and sand from setting deeper into the fabric and makes cleaning your swimwear much easier later on.
Let OXXO Cleaners that Care Tackle Your Summer Stains
If you’re dealing with particularly stubborn summer stains that won’t budge with home remedies, our team at OXXO Cleaners that Care is here to help. Our eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning solutions are specially formulated to remove sunscreen, sand, and saltwater stains without damaging your clothes or harming the environment. We understand the science behind summer stains and have the expertise to treat them effectively. Next time you return from a beach vacation with a suitcase full of stained clothes, bring them to your nearest OXXO Cleaners that Care location or schedule your pickup through our convenient app. We’ll have your summer favorites looking fresh and clean again!
