Gone with the Tan: Erasing Sunscreen Stains From Cotton Piqué

Whether you’re dealing with a white shirt that’s left speckled after a day at beach, or you’ve been working up a sweat and inadvertently applied sunscreen to your piqué, who hasn’t had to deal with unsightly stains from sun protection lotions?

Although suntan lotion can contain a range of ingredients, many are oily and difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are a few methods that should help extract the stain.

What You'll Need

• Liquid detergent
• Liquid laundry pretreatment or spot remover
• Oxygen-based bleaching material
• Hydrogen peroxide
• White vinegar
• Ammonia
• Soft brush

Step by Step Instructions:

1. First, blot the excess sunscreen off the fabric with a dry cloth.
2. Pre-treat the fabric with liquid detergent, then rinse out and let air dry.
3. If stain persists, use a pre-treatment spray or liquid spot remover on the area and let it sit for around five minutes, then rinse it out.
4. If the stain still remains, mix some oxygen-based bleaching material with a cup of warm water and apply directly to the stain. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then rinse and launder as usual.
5. If the stain does not respond to the above methods, try a solution of hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and ammonia (1/4 cup each should do). Apply to the stain and let it soak for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and launder.
6. If this does not work, use an old soft brush to scrub the area with a liquid detergent. Rinse again and launder.

Caring for the Fabric Post-Stain Removal

Once stain has been removed, it is important to take care of the fabric so that it doesn't become stained again. After laundering, it is best to allow the garment to hang dry away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Additionally, always make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and heed any warnings before attempting to remove a stain.

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