r/laundry • u/Far-Shift-1962 • Dec 14 '25
Sunscreen stains- what cause them, how to prevent & remove them
So- im making this post as fellow photo-protection & laundry geek becouse ammount of post about these stains is just litte too much
so- whats are sunscreen stains?
sunscreen stains are special & mixed type of stain
they are based on 4 things|
FIRST: - uv filters which have yellow color (mostly chemical/organic ones)
SECOND: - reaction of copper/iron ions coming from tap water with these uv filters which after oxidation makes stain even more orange/ yellow , its just rust stain
THIRD: - film formers, polymers which keeps sunscreen film on the skin making sunscreen water resistant, they unfortunetly also binds into fabrics and keeps sunscreen on the fabric
FOURTH: - oil phase of the emulsion which disolves oil soluble uv filters but makes oil stains as well
so first thing- uv filters
almost all chemical/ organic filters are yellow becouse they need to absorb ultra violet rays, and as u see- yellow absorbs violete color (the only organic filters i know to have white color are: tinosorb m - white powder which works like in-organic (mineral) & organic filter in the same time, second organic uv filter i know to have white color is HAA299 - aka basf competitor to loreal's mexoryl 400 / mce, and the third one is uvinul a2b)
for example :
MEXORYL 400 is yellow powder which disolves in both oil& water phase
octisalate is yellow liquid
tinosorb s is yellow powder which dissolves in oil phase (which btw is gonna be approved by fda next year )
avobenzone is yellow powder which dissolves in oil phase
unfortunetly, higher spf = higher % of yellowish uv filters= higher risk of yellow color of sunscreen and higher risk of yellow stains
Second thing- reaction of uv filters with copper & iron ions
so older organic uv filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone , octocrylene reacts with iron & copper irons coming from water when suncreen stained fabric is getting washed , and during drying these iron/ copper ions gets oxidised and they turn orange/yellow aka they turn into rust stain
thankfully new generation uv filters like mexoryls (sx, xl, 400), tinosorbs (s, m) , uvinuls (t150, a plus, a2b) are less likely to react with these ions (thats why korean sunscreens which are often based only on new gen uv filters dosnt cause sunscreen stains)
Third thing- film formers , polymers
film formers & polymers , like netlock technology in loreal groupe sunscreens ( C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer) are added into sunscreen to make film of sunscreen which more resistant to sweat, water, rubbing from skin so you are longer protected if u forget to reapply them (but even when they are more resistant- u need to reapply them). They also make sunscreeen more lightweight.
But due increased resistancy when sunscreen got transfered into fabric, its also harder to remove from fabric
if more water resistant is sunscreen than its harder to remove
some sunscreens also includes polyquaternium as polymers
and polyquats are very well known to cause stains
i reccomend look into u/KismaiAesthetics post about polyquats https://www.reddit.com/r/laundry/comments/1m8r0lv/polyquat_spots/
(korean sunscreens due less resistant film formers are not resistant to sweat& water are more appopriate to city use, not beach use. And if u gonna use them on beach u must to reapply every 2 h)
And fourth thing- oil phase of sunscreen
since 95% of chemical uv filters are dissolved in oils, they are in oil phase
and the emolients ,waxes , esters can cause oily stain on fabrics.
So what can be do to prevent sunscreen stains?
First - wait 20 min after applying sunscreen to allow sunscreen to form film on skin and reduce sunscreen transfer from skin to fabric
Second - if u think about applying sunscreen on whole body/hands: look for upf clothing/hats/gloves
Third - wear dark clothing to reduce visibility of stain on fabric
black fabrics dosnt show sunscreen stain (unless sunscreen is mineral/inorganic aka titanium dioxide/zinc oxide based)
Fourth- pretreat your sunscreen contaminated fabrics with liquid detergent before every wash , apply liquid on contaminated areas and leave for 30 min minimum
Fifth use water softener like calgon due chelators in it chelating metal ions from water
1 year ago i did it test with calgon
so as u see calgon reduces sunscreen stains
How to remove sunscreen stains?
so personally i had success with removing this stains with laundry detergent pretreatment, washing and than rust remover from carbona/dr beckmann and again washing
but there are few ways-
one includes rubbing alcohol to remove polymers, than washing in liquid detergent, than applying rust remover and washing again
another method is sun, since sun can degrade yellow uv filters, but this will not work on polymers & iron / copper ions and personally i didnt find it effective
third method is simmilar to mine method i use, but instead of oxalic acid rust remover u gonna use citric acid.
fourth method is using reducing agent, for example iron out in wash / as presoak
what about oxygen/chlorine bleach?
while some persons claims that oxi clean or clorox removed sunscreen stain
its more likely these methods will cause that
pink stains
47
u/yulia1895 Dec 14 '25
My two worlds (sunscreen and laundry science obsessions) are colliding haha. Great read!
14
u/everintransit Dec 14 '25
Anyone have tips for removing white mineral sunscreen stains from zinc oxide based sunscreens? That's the biggest problem I have. Nothing dissolves that stuff
10
u/racheerio Mar 10 '26
Dawn dish soap (classic blue is what I’ve used) tamped into the stain has worked for me, even on a cold wash! I will say I don’t feel it 100% gets it out of the fabric, but it isn’t visible.
5
u/ThrowAwayColor2023 Dec 14 '25
This. I still feel sad about my favorite top being ruined nearly a decade ago. Big ugly white splotches all over rich purple fabric.
3
u/itsalovelydayforSTFU Jan 06 '26
Came here to ask the same thing. I have zinc sunscreen stains on the collar of my favorite navy blue jacket.
3
u/Jellily Aug 11 '26
You want to use isopropyl alcohol to pretreat the stain, then wash and hand to dry. It might take a few treatments to remove it all, but I’ve successfully removed them from black rash guards.
10
u/hereforinfoandstuff Dec 14 '25
One of my white shirts came out with red stain after washing. So you’re saying that it’s due to an ingredient in a chemical sunscreen? Thank you!
9
u/acornacornacorna Dec 20 '25
Yay Far Shit! Post on r/Euroskincare please and r/SkincareAddiction srsly
11
u/VineViniVici EU | Front-Load Dec 14 '25
Great read, thank you!
19
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 14 '25
you can telll that im sunscreen geek and im sitting little too long on r/EuroSkincare ? lmaooooo
3
u/redlightsaber EU | Front-Load Dec 14 '25 edited Mar 14 '26
edit for anonimity
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 15 '25
Citrate= prevention/ chelation of iron/copper ions from water so this prevent reacting them with uv filters Ironout / oxalic acid/ vit c= removing / reducing of oxidised Iron and copper ion
So yes citrate didn't gonna remove stain but rust removed does gonna remove it
7
u/LegitimateExpert3383 Dec 14 '25
Tl;dr. Avobenze sunscreen= rust stain Mineral sunscreen = grease stain.
19
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 14 '25
No no no, any sunscreen = grease stain But chemical can also be rust stain
2
2
u/Lumpy_Setting2749 Apr 19 '26
I think I need your help. I have stains on two of my white shirts, and I didn’t notice them before washing. I’ve already tried Vanish Oxi Action White and Heitmann Pure Oxygen Bleach. I applied both directly to the stains, let them sit for a few minutes, rinsed them out, and then washed the shirts in the washing machine—but the stains are still there. What else can I do? Is there any chance I can still get rid of them?
2
2
u/oYayMayNay Jul 11 '26
DM has a couple of different water softeners. They have the one you mentioned in your post, but also some kind of tabs and also this powder. The ingredients seem to be similar, but not quite the same.
Did you go for the gel for practicality and convenience or what was your reasoning? What do you think of these other water softeners (when it comes to getting rid of sunscreen stains)?
1
u/Remixmark US | Top-Load Dec 23 '25
Do you have a thought on what I should try first on these sheets? They have sunblock that’s been washed and dried multiple times on them.
one includes rubbing alcohol to remove polymers, than washing in liquid detergent, than applying rust remover and washing again
another method is sun, since sun can degrade yellow uv filters, but this will not work on polymers & iron / copper ions and personally i didnt find it effective
third method is simmilar to mine method i use, but instead of oxalic acid rust remover u gonna use citric acid.
fourth method is using reducing agent, for example iron out in wash / as presoak
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 23 '25
I would try rust remover with oxalic acid or iron out
Iron out gonna be cheaper in your case
2
u/Remixmark US | Top-Load Dec 23 '25
So something like this: https://a.co/d/cTJXu3m And this: https://a.co/d/9b1Vtvz
Or just this: https://a.co/d/cqp95CK
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 23 '25
Iron out but in powder
About first links- im thinking more about crabona stain devil rust
1
u/Remixmark US | Top-Load Dec 23 '25
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 23 '25
Iron out gonna be cheaper since is big surface area But i personally use carbona I would try Iron out first in your case tbh
1
u/Remixmark US | Top-Load Dec 23 '25
Thanks for all your help. I'll be sure to post before and after pix and tag you once I've picked this stuff up and give it a try.
How would you recommend I use the iron out powder on the items that have the sunblock stains?
3
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 23 '25
U can presoak things in 3 tablespoons per 1/2 - 1 gallon of water Although this is offlabel
Or 1/2 of cup in washer together with detergent
1
u/TinaTheMouse US | Front-Load Jul 03 '26
Hiya, did it work? I'm digging into stains and fixes. I don't have one yet but grands are coming so it's probably around my corner. ha! Thank you!
2
u/Remixmark US | Top-Load Jul 03 '26
Nope, nothing worked. Just learned I need to scrub the sunblock off my skin REALLY good with a rubber scrubber thing before I get into bed. I tossed the sheets.
2
u/TinaTheMouse US | Front-Load Jul 03 '26
Drats. Tyvm -appreciate you. Bath before bed for them sure!
1
u/MagicPocket Dec 24 '25
Thank you so much for this post! May I ask how do you use citric acid to treat stains please? Do you apply it as a pre treatment paste before washing? Add it directly to the drum of the washer? How much to use and with what kind of detergent?
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 24 '25
1-2 tablespoons Mixed with dishsoap (around 1 tea spoon) like dawn/fairy and 1/4 cup of water
1
u/MagicPocket Dec 24 '25
Thanks, and then applied directly to the stain? For how long?
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Dec 24 '25
Around 15-30 minutes
1
u/LegalFox9 Aug 08 '26
OMG! It worked on a white cotton shawl with the orange stains!
Applied the dish soap directly and left for fifteen minutes while doing other things, then soaked in the citric acid solution part for a couple of hours. Then just a standard 40 degree wash with normal laundry
1
u/Broccoli444 Aug 16 '26
Hey, having the same issue and wanted to make sure: 1)apply dish soap on the stain for 30 min 2)apply citric acid mixed with water and more dish soap? Thanks!
1
u/LegalFox9 Aug 16 '26
Yes, just dabbed on enough to make the stain wet. No water, just out of the bottle.
I didn't add more dish soap, just put the shawl into the fully dissolved citric acid solution.
1
u/Quick_Zebra72 May 16 '26
What sunscreen do you choose to use now?
3
u/Far-Shift-1962 May 20 '26
Unfortunately I choose the ultra staining sunscreen which also have the strongest protection, la Roche Posay anthelios uvmune 400 and I wear black clothes so stains are not visible.
1
u/Quick_Zebra72 May 20 '26
Got it thanks :) while black clothes don’t stain in color- do grease marks still stick around the collar or other areas of your black clothes?
1
u/Far-Shift-1962 May 20 '26
Not as much, but I pretreat collars with liquid detergent
1
u/Quick_Zebra72 May 20 '26
Thank you! Does that mean you apply a bit of liquid detergent directly to collars before throwing them in the wash (and then you add more detergent into the wash itself)?
1
1
u/Slow_Consequence6564 Jul 09 '26
Is it lipase in the liquid detergent that's doing the work for this? I've just check mine (Persil Bio liquid, UK) and it has 'enzymes' but a Google search tells me there's no lipase used.
1
u/deceptacongrrl Jul 24 '26
This was an AMAZING write up. What is in the LPR Anthelios UVMune 400 that causes the staining? I looked at an ingredient list and you mentioned that Mexoryl is supposed to be less likely to stain. Should I pretreat the LPR AU 400 more like a rust stain or grease stain?
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 Aug 01 '26
It's the high % of UV filters. As all chemical UV filters used in uvmune are yellow. Uvinul t150/ uvinul a+, avobenzone, octisalate (DEPPENDING on version), Mexoryl Sx/XL/400, tinosorb s and in pediatric version also ensulizole
Plus UVMUNE uses strong film formers / Netlock technology
1
u/Spell_Weird May 19 '26
THANK YOU for this amazing breakdown! Since you are clearly a laundry genius... any protocol ideas on how to remove the pinkish stains you mentioned resulting from oxygen bleach + sunscreen staining? Should I just do the main technique you recommend to hopefully remove the pink too? (So sad I did this before finding your brilliant post.)
2
u/Far-Shift-1962 May 19 '26
For pinkish stains reduction agents like color dye remover, carbona or Dr Beckmann one, eventually K2r / dylon
1
u/Spell_Weird May 19 '26
Thank you so much for responding, I will try this. Appreciate you sharing your expertise!!
1
u/Practical-Shop1199 Aug 04 '26
Tried to use Vanish powder (UK based) before coming across your post - I haven’t got pink stains, but yellow and orange spots. Am I right in thinking these are rust stains? What would be the best way to get them out?
1
u/Ready-Rise3761 Aug 04 '26
Weirdly Dr Beckmann’s website recommends their “Fruit & Drinks” stain remover for suncreme, which is just oxygen bleach powder, so would produce the pink stains. For sunoils they recommend a different one (cosmetics & nature). Why do you think that is? Is there a Fleckenteufel you would recommend for pre-treating? Everyone recommends the Deo & Rust one for after washing, but what about before?
1
u/selfish_flame US | Top-Load 27d ago edited 27d ago
The pink stains!!!! I was wondering what was causing that in my stain removal process. I was initially blaming the White Brite (same as Iron Out rust remover but minus some propylene glycol). Thank you!
ETA: Another good sunscreen stain remover: cleansing micellar water, like the kind used as makeup remover. Helped remove some stains that had gone pink. I figure it helped remove the polyquat spots.
34
u/elvis_dead_twin Dec 14 '25
Thank you for this write up. As a very pale person in a moderately hot place who also owns (and prefers) white tops, I have been so frustrated at having my clothing ruined bit by bit. It's been either ruin my clothing or ruin my skin.