Sunscreen is part of summer. While sunscreen is necessary to protect our skin from harmful rays, it may leave greasy stains on clothing and upholstery. Removing sunscreen stains is not an easy task. However, there are ways to remove most stains when accidental spills, slathers, or sprays occur on surfaces other than our skin or the sunscreen on our skin transfers to other surfaces.
Sunscreen stains result from the combination of ingredients used in the product. Sunscreens contain two chemical compounds, ovobenzone and avobenzone, that block out UV and UVA rays, respectively. These ingredients oxidize and tend to produce a yellowish or rust-colored stain when they interact with minerals in water, particularly hard water. Once the reaction takes place, removing the stain becomes difficult to sometimes impossible. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are also components of sunscreen. These two ingredients don’t discolor fabric, but their white colored particles cling to the fibers even after washing. Sunscreens that include zinc are harder yet to remove. The chemical makeup of our sweat can also worsen stains. Further, all fabrics do not absorb sunscreen in the same way, some less- and others more-so. Silk and polyester fibers and fabrics absorb and trap oils more so than other fabrics.
Pre-Treating is Essential for Clothing Stains
Due to the presence of the compounds in the sunscreen product, avoid pretreating by soaking garments or using bleach or oxygen bleach products; doing so will have little effect on the stain and may actually make it worse. Household ingredients such as lemon juice and table salt and store-bought rust remover products are effective on ovobenzone and avobenzone stains. The HGTV website gives a step-by-step procedures for using lemon juice and salt as well as rust remover products. Sunscreen oils are best dealt with using liquid dish soap/laundry detergent products gently massaged into the stain. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is generally effective at removing titanium dioxide stains. Quick treatment is key to success.
Begin by blotting the stain to remove any excess cream, lotion, or spray. Be careful to blot and not wipe or rub. Wiping the stain can spread it and make a larger stain. Rubbing causes the stain to go deeper into the fabric’s yarns and fibers. Proceed with pretreating. After pretreating, rinse and launder using a stain fighting detergent. Air dry and check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat.
Treating Upholstery (Car and Household) Stains
Upholstery stains are more likely to be caused by the transfer of oils from skin to the fabric or leather. It is unlikely thatp upholstery will be laundered so there is less chance of ovobenzone and avobenzone creating a rust stain. As with clothing, begin by blotting the stain, avoiding wiping or rubbing. The Green Wood Leather Company provides directions for cleaning leather depending upon the severity of the stain. For fabric upholstery the process is much similar. Follow directions provided here.
Don’t let a stain keep you from protecting your skin with sunscreen this summer.
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Sources:
How to Remove Sunscreen Stains from Clothing, Upholstery, and Car Seats. HGTV.com
How to Get Sunscreen Off of Leather. Green Wood Leather.com
How to Remove Sunscreen Stains from Carpet and Uphostery. Indy Carpet Cleaning.com
Updated 3/2025, mg.
