How to Remove Sunscreen Stain from Clothes

Sunscreen Stains: Oily, Stubborn, and Often Invisible Until Washed

Sunscreen stains are primarily oil-based — the emollients and UV filters in sunscreen are designed to resist water, which makes them resistant to standard washing too. Chemical sunscreens (containing avobenzone) can also cause orange or rust-colored staining on white fabrics when they react with iron in tap water. The key is treating sunscreen stains as oil stains: degreaser first, enzyme cleaner second.

What You'll Need

• Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
• Shout Active Enzyme Laundry Stain Remover Spray
• Carbona Liquid Stain Devils
• OxiClean White Revive Power Paks (for white fabrics)
• Baking soda
• Microfiber cloths
• Soft toothbrush
• Cold water

Step-by-Step: Removing Sunscreen Stains from Clothes

1. Scrape off any excess sunscreen with a spoon. Don't rub — lift and scrape.
2. Apply baking soda to absorb the oil. Sprinkle over the stain and let sit 15–20 minutes, then brush off.
3. Apply Dawn dish soap directly — no water yet. Put a generous amount of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly onto the dry stain. Work in with a soft toothbrush. Let sit 10–15 minutes. Dawn's degreasing formula cuts through the oil-based sunscreen effectively.
4. Apply Shout Enzyme Spray on top of the Dawn. Shout Active Enzyme Stain Remover breaks down any remaining organic compounds. Let sit 10 minutes.
5. Rinse with warm water (warm helps dissolve oil-based stains).
6. Apply Carbona Stain Devils for any remaining discoloration. Carbona Liquid Stain Devils targets stubborn residue. Let sit 10 minutes.
7. Machine wash cold. For white fabrics, add an OxiClean White Revive Power Pak. Check before drying.

For Orange/Rust Sunscreen Stains on White Clothes

Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone can react with iron in tap water to create orange or rust-colored stains on white fabric. These are treated differently from regular sunscreen stains:

1. Apply white vinegar directly to the orange stain. The acidity helps dissolve the iron-avobenzone compound. Let sit 30 minutes.
2. Apply Shout Enzyme Spray and let sit 15 minutes.
3. Machine wash cold with an OxiClean White Revive Power Pak. Check before drying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does sunscreen leave orange stains on white clothes?

Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone react with iron minerals in tap water to form an orange-colored compound that stains white fabric. This is more common in areas with hard water. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) don't cause this reaction.

Can sunscreen stains be removed after drying?

Yes — apply Dawn dish soap directly to the dry stain and let soak for 20–30 minutes before treating with enzyme spray. Dried sunscreen stains take longer but respond well to the degreaser method.

Does sunscreen permanently stain swimwear?

Sunscreen stains on swimwear are common and usually removable. Apply Dawn dish soap directly and let sit 15 minutes, then hand wash in cold water. Avoid machine washing swimwear too aggressively as it can damage the elastic fibers.