How to Remove Sunscreen Stains from Clothing

July 2, 2026, 3:28 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

Sunscreen reliably protects the skin from UV radiation–but it can leave unsightly marks in the form of stains on clothing. Those who act quickly and use the right detergent have a good chance of removing the stains. A cleaning expert explains what is important in this process.

Acting Quickly Increases Chances of Success

If sunscreen has left stains on your favorite shirt, you should act as quickly as possible to remove them. According to cleaning expert Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW), solid detergent is particularly suitable for this purpose.

The reason: Liquid detergents do not contain bleach, which is crucial for stains caused by sunscreen. The clothing should be washed with a solid detergent at the highest temperature allowed by the care label.

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Treat Stubborn Stains Specifically

If residues are still visible after washing, Glassl recommends soaking the clothing for at least half a day in lukewarm water with stain remover salt–preferably sorted by color.

Alternatively, you can apply a special stain remover for fruit stains to the dampened affected area. Then, the garment should be washed again.

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Pay Attention to the Care Label

Not every fabric tolerates bleach. This is indicated by a crossed-out triangle on the care label. If a garment is hardly salvageable due to a particularly noticeable stain, the described treatment can still be tried.

How to Avoid Sunscreen Stains

Ideally, stains should not occur in the first place. To achieve this, wait a few minutes after applying or spraying sunscreen before putting on clothes or swimwear. This allows the sunscreen to absorb into the skin first.

According to Glassl, how much sunscreen discolors clothing also depends on individual perspiration. This means: “One person may experience very stubborn stains, while another may not.”

With material from dpa

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.