How to Remove Sunscreen Stains from Clothes (For Good!)

The Mystery of the Orange Sunscreen Stains

Have you thrown your favourite white linen shirt or your kid’s togs in the wash, only to pull them out and they have mysterious orange stains that weren’t there before. What gives? You might think it’s your detergent failing you or some weird laundry magic gone wrong—but it’s actually pesky sunscreen residue hanging around. Yep, that SPF you slather on to protect your skin can turn into a laundry nightmare. But don’t worry, we’ve got the fix—and it's easier than you think. Sunblock stains on white clothes are pretty easy to pick, other than being orange-y coloured, they usually show up around the neckline, collars, and cuffs. The lighter the fabric the more the stain will show. It's right where the sunscreen has transferred from your skin onto your clothes or where you've accidentally wiped your hands while applying it. Treating sunblock stains isn't tricky, but it does need a couple of cleaning steps in the right order to be effective. The best bit is you don't need to reach for any harsh cleaners. Natural cleaners are the best for these stains which is great for you and our waterways.

Why Sunscreen Stains Clothes (The Science Bit)

Orange sunblock marks aren't just any stain—it’s a rusty chemical reaction at play.

• Sunscreens block solar radiation in two different ways, they are either made with a chemical UV absorber (typical sunblock) or a UV reflector (mineral based sunblock). These orange stains are made by the UV absorbing kind of sunblock.
• The common ingredient in UV absorbing sunscreens that causes most of the problems is called avobenzone ( Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane).
• When you wash your clothes that have this kind of sunscreen on them AND you also have iron in your tap water, the avobenzone binds to iron particles in your water. The avobenzone oxidises the iron leaving behind those stubborn orange or yellow stains. You can think of them as rust stains.
• The more iron there is in the water the brighter orange the stain will be.
• Now this stain isn’t just sitting on the fabric—it’s bonded to it like a bad relationship. What makes these stains even harder to treat is that they are all wrapped up in an oily 'wear all day' sunblock residue.

Why Sunscreen Residues Are So Hard to Wash Away?

Before we jump to the cleaning instructions, let's give the sunscreen that the avobenzone comes in some thought. Sunscreens are designed to stick to your skin through sweating, swimming, and daily wear. This oily water-resistant formulation makes them fantastic for all day sun protection, but a pain for washing clean. The same properties that stop sunscreen from washing off in the pool also means it clings tightly to your clothes in the wash, leaving behind oily residues that water can not rinse away. The trick? Hit it with some extra bubbles! Target the stained rub off areas with concentrated soap suds. Soap works by surrounding oils and lifting them off textiles in a process called emulsifying, this means the oil can be washed away. By pre-treating with soap first you easily break down the sunscreen oils first, this means you can better target the problem avobenzone & you’ll have much better success removing the stain.

Why soaking sunblock stains doesn't work

Now, you might be thinking, "I'll just soak it out!"—but hold up! The more time your garment spends in iron-rich water, the deeper the stain will set and the more intense the rust colour will be. Soaking only increases the contact time between the iron in the water and the avobenzone. The more iron that bonds, the worse the stain. Spoiler alert: this isn’t your average stain, and it won’t come out with a regular soaking with bleach. But with a little science and some Figgy know-how, we’ll get those stains gone for good. So, what’s the magic bullet? Citric acid.

How Citric Acid Works—And Why It’s a Game-Changer

Citric acid is the secret weapon for this type of stain because it does two powerful things: 

1. It dissolves minerals. Iron is a mineral. This means the citric acid works directly on the iron. It breaks the bonds holding them to your fabric. The citric acid offers a connection to the iron that is stronger than the avobenzone—it's science that the iron will bind with the citric acid.
2. It stops the stain reforming. Once the dissolving has happen, the iron is now bound to the citric acid. The citric acid keeps the iron busy floating around in your wash water. The new iron/citric acid mix can be rinsed away, leaving your clothes rust stain free.

How to Remove Sunscreen Stains with Figgy & Co.

Let’s get down to business. Here’s the full Figgy-approved method to remove those pesky sunscreen stains.

Step 1: Before treating the stain, you need to get rid of any lingering sunscreen oils so the citric acid can get to the iron effectively

• Grab your Figgy bar soap—it’s a powerhouse at breaking down grease and oils.
• Wet the stain with warm water and rub the soap directly onto the fabric either where the stains are or proactively where you think stains might form.
• Rub up a good later, working the fabric against itself. This helps to help lift the oil from the fibres. If you have a stretch fabric like a sports shirt, be sure to really get the lather into the weave of the material by slightly stretching the fabric as you work the stain.
• For noticeably oily stains, let the soap suds sit on the fabric for 15-30 minutes before rinsing—this gives the soap time to dissolve the oil.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Step 2: The Citric Acid Soak (Your New Summer Laundry Bestie)

• Now that the oil is gone, it’s time for the science magic.
• Mix your citric acid solution. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of citric acid in 1 litre of warm water. Stir until completely dissolved.
• Soak the stained fabric. Submerge the garment fully in the solution. Check the stain every 15 minutes.
• Still there? Try round two. If the stain hasn’t lifted after an hour, drain and repeat with a stronger mix:
• Use 4 tablespoons of citric acid in 1 litre of warm water. Soak again for up to 1 hour, checking at 15-minute intervals.
• Final rinse & wash. Once the stain is gone, rinse thoroughly with cool water. Wash as usual with your favourite Figgy & Co. laundry powder.

3 Tips to Prevent Sunscreen Stains in the First Place

Make the switch to a mineral based sunblock. These are often more oily than traditional sun blocks but don't contain avobenzone or other ingredients that have health concerns.

Let your skin block absorb and dry. If you can, after applying, wait for your sunscreen to dry before dressing, especially if you’re wearing white.

Pre-treat collars and cuffs. Sunscreen transfer happens where fabric meets skin, so give those areas a little pre-care before washing. Pre-treating transfer areas is particularly useful if using a chemical sunscreen with avobenzone,

Final Thoughts: Targeting sunscreen stains the Figgy & Co Way with No Nasty Chemicals Needed

Sunscreen stains are annoying, but they don’t have to ruin your crisp white summer clothes. By understanding the science behind the stains and using the right cleaning allies, you can keep your whites bright without resorting to harsh chemicals or throwing away your favourite top! So next time you spot one of those dreaded orange streaks, don’t panic—just grab your Figgy bar soap, some citric acid, and get to work. Your clothes (and future self) will thank you!

Get More Natural Cleaning Tips From Our Blog!

We want you to have everything you need to clean your home healthier while avoiding unwanted chemicals – and looking out for the planet too! Take a browse through our blog and learn more about natural cleaning, safe ingredients and so much more!