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How to Get Sunscreen, Cream and Lotion Stains Out

Whether you’re trying to get rid of dry skin or protect your skin from the sun, there’s no doubt you use cream, sunscreen and lotion on occasion. While these creams are very helpful at all times of the year, they can be disastrous for your clothing if you’re not careful. A leaking container or an accidental wipe to your pants and you have a stain. So, how should you get rid of it?

Overview of Sunscreen, Cream and Lotion Stains

Most lotions, sunscreens and creams have one thing in common: an oil base. Because of this, you need a stain remover that’s going to cut through that oil to get the stain out. This is true whether you’re dealing with a stain from suntan lotion, sun cream, lanolin, tanning oil or sunscreen spray. The steps below will even work on other types of creams, like Vicks vapor rub.

Remove Sunscreen, Cream and Lotion Stains: Step by Step

To remove sunscreen from clothes:

  1. Choose from the range of Cold Power Liquid and Powder detergents
  2. Apply a liquid detergent directly onto the stain and gently rub in
  3. Let the liquid detergent sit on the stain for 10 minutes
  4. Wash in the hottest temperature that is safe for the fabric
  5. Check for remaining lotion, sunscreen and cream stains

Choose a Detergent and Stain Remover

The first step is picking a detergent that will cut through the grease while also working well with the fabric colour and type. For most fabrics you can use Cold Power, though for delicate fabrics consider using Cold Power Sensitive.

Pre-Treat the Stain

Apply Cold Power Liquid onto the stain directly, gently rub in and wait ten minutes before putting the clothing in the washing machine.

Wash and Rinse

Wash the fabric at the hottest temperature possible according to the garment label. Use your chosen detergent, selecting the ‘heavily soiled’ dosage on the container.

Check the Stain

If the stain is not gone after washing, pre-treat and wash again. You can also soak the garment in a solution of your detergent and water for a couple hours if the stain is stubborn.

Getting Sunscreen, Cream and Lotion Stains Out of Special Laundry Types and Fabrics

Getting sunscreen stains on a white shirt or black pair of trousers out is as simple as following the steps above. However, always check the garment label on any laundry type to make sure the fabric is machine washable. Some sheets may require hand washing and clothes made of silk, wool, rayon and linen will require hand washing as well with Cold Power Sensitive detergent.

Accidentally spill sunscreen on your new swim suit? Wipe lotion on your favourite pair of pants? Get rid of these oily stains fast with Cold Power detergents.