Sunscreens may leave invisible stains on your clothing

June 30, 2016

With the arrival of hot, sunny days comes the need for sunscreens and suntan lotions. While most of us use these products to help protect our skin from the sun, others use them to enhance their skin tone.
 
Unfortunately, the components found in most sunscreens and suntan lotions can stain fabrics. Most of these skin care products contain oils to make them moisture-resistant. They may also contain dyes to give them a certain color or to allow the skin to darken.
 
girl putting on sunscreenInitially, stains caused by these products may be invisible, but age and/or the heating of cleaning may cause them to become more apparent.
 
To prevent these stains, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. The general rule of thumb is to allow the sunscreen to dry before it contacts a garment. Also wash your hands before handling garments to avoid possible staining. However, it is important to note that despite these precautions, some residue may still transfer to clothing through perspiration.
 
The oil component of these lotions may not be easily removed in normal washing or drycleaning procedures, but appropriate stain removal techniques can be successful. For this reason, please let us know if sunscreens or tanning lotions may have contacted any of your garments. This additional information will make us both happier when you come to pick up your order!