I’m the Queen of Clean & people ask me how to get rid of sunscreen stains – here are 4 cheap buys that work like a charm
WITH Brits set to enjoy another sizzling hot weekend, most of us have already started to layer ourselves with coats of sunscreen to protect us from the harsh sun.
But whilst sun cream is a must, especially in the summer, the product also often leaves our favourite garments covered in yellow stains that are difficult to remove.
In particularly hot weather, sunscreen can melt and cause clothing stains, which are usually caused by an ingredient called avobenzone that is present in many lotions.
Combined with water or perspiration, it can cause rusty brown or yellow stains, which ruin your go-to white T-shirt in seconds.
Luckily, here to help sun-loving Brits is Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean, who shared four cheap household buys that will banish the staining with no faff.
The best part? You probably have the items you need in your home already.
Chatting with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, the guru said: ”This is my most-asked question at this time of the year.
”Honestly, it hits me nearly every single day – I even get people on the street come up to me and ask me.
”It is simple but you do need to know what to do,” she told This Morning hosts and viewers.
As sun cream and in turn, the stains, are greasy, you need to find a method to degrease the garment – and there are a handful of wallet-friendly remedies for this.
One of them, she revealed, is mixing bicarbonate of soda with washing-up liquid – and there’s no need to fork out for a fancy one either.
”Sprinkle the bicarb on, dampen it slightly first. Then add some washing-up liquid, little toothbrush [to rub it in], leave it to soak.
”In a few hours, that will come off,” she said, adding that these hacks work like a charm even if you’ve been wearing the stained garment all day.
Alternatively, you can also use white vinegar and really liberally spray it.
Another method, which many may not be aware of, is applying tea tree oil, which is available for just a fiver at Boots and other high street retailers.
More hacks to get rid of harsh stains
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with vinegar and wash as usual.
- Lemon Juice and Salt: Squeeze lemon juice over the stain. Sprinkle salt generously. Rub the fabric together and leave it in the sun for an hour before washing.
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Dab the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse.
- Milk for Ink Stains: Soak the stained area in milk. Leave it overnight. Rinse and wash the following day.
- White Vinegar for Grass Stains: Apply white vinegar directly to the grass stain. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Wash as usual.
- Cornflour for Grease Stains: Sprinkle cornflour onto the grease stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the grease. Brush off the cornflour and wash the garment.
- Toothpaste for Collar Stains: Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to the collar stain. Scrub gently with a toothbrush. Rinse and wash as usual.
While it may sound bizarre as it’s ”oil on oil”, Lynsey explained that ”it’s actually a degreaser”.
”Don’t use too much and dilute it with water […], and that combats it as well.”
Although this remedy ”is really strange”, the cleaning expert emphasised that ”it does work”.
”But please dilute it because it can stain as well.”
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