Summer is in full swing, and at OXXO Cleaners that Care, we know how important sunscreen is for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. However, while sunscreen shields your skin, it can wreak havoc on your favorite clothing items. Those stubborn yellow or orange-brown stains aren’t just annoying; they can permanently damage fabrics if not treated properly. Our team has compiled this guide to help you prevent and remove those pesky sunscreen stains while keeping your summer wardrobe looking fresh.
Why Does Sunscreen Stain Clothes?
Sunscreen stains occur when UV filters in sunscreen products, especially avobenzone, react with minerals in water and create colored compounds that bind tightly to fabric fibers.
This chemical reaction is what makes sunscreen stains so difficult to remove. The main culprit is often avobenzone, a common UV-filtering ingredient that creates reddish-brown marks when it interacts with iron in water. Additionally, many sunscreens contain oils that leave greasy spots on fabric. Natural fibers like cotton and linen are particularly vulnerable to these stains because their structure allows the sunscreen to penetrate deeply, while synthetic fabrics may show less obvious staining but can still be affected.
How to Protect Your Clothes From Sunscreen Damage
Preventing sunscreen stains requires proper application timing, choosing the right formulation, and implementing protective strategies before your clothes ever come in contact with the product.
We recommend applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before getting dressed, giving it time to absorb into your skin. Consider using mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these are less likely to cause staining than chemical filters. For extra protection for your clothes from sunscreen damage, wear a cover-up over your swimsuit when not in the water, or choose UPF-rated clothing that provides sun protection without needing sunscreen underneath. At OXXO Cleaners that Care, we’ve found that white or very light-colored clothing shows stains more prominently, so darker colors are a more practical choice for beach days.
Effective Ways to Remove Sunscreen Stains
Successful sunscreen stain removal requires quick action, using the right cleaning agents for your specific fabric type, and sometimes professional cleaning for stubborn or set-in stains.
If you notice a fresh sunscreen stain:
- Immediately blot—don’t rub—excess product with a clean, dry cloth.
- Rinse the area with cold water from the back of the fabric.
- Apply a pre-treatment solution like dish soap or a paste of baking soda and water.
- For white cotton or linen, use a solution of lemon juice and water, followed by sun exposure. That method can break down stains.
- For delicate fabrics like silk, use cornstarch to absorb oils before gentle cleaning.
- Launder according to the garment’s care instructions after pre-treatment.
For older, set-in stains, you may need specialized enzyme cleaners that break down the oils in sunscreen. It’s important to always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it won’t damage or discolor the fabric.
Trust OXXO Cleaners that Care With Your Sunscreen-Stained Garments
When sunscreen stains prove too stubborn for home remedies, our professional cleaning services at OXXO Cleaners that Care can help restore your favorite summer clothes.
We understand the complex chemistry behind sunscreen stains and use eco-friendly, effective cleaning methods tailored to each fabric type. Our team has extensive experience treating summer-specific stains, including sunscreen, without causing additional damage to your garments. Instead of throwing away your stained clothes, bring them to your nearest OXXO Cleaners that Care location, where our experts can assess the damage and recommend the best cleaning approach. Remember, the sooner you bring in a stained item, the better chance we have of completely removing the stain, so don’t wait until those summer stains become permanent memories of your vacation!
