How to Get Sunscreen Stains Out of Clothes
The short answer
Sunscreen leaves two different types of stains on fabric and they need different treatments. Oily or greasy sunscreen residue — a transparent or slightly yellow patch — responds to dish soap or heavy-duty liquid detergent applied before washing. Orange or rust-colored stains are caused by avobenzone, a UV-filtering ingredient, reacting with minerals in water and bonding to fabric. These stains are harder to remove. Do not use chlorine bleach on orange sunscreen stains — it can make the discoloration worse.
Before you start
Identify which type of stain you have:
Oily or greasy residue: a greasy or transparent patch on the fabric, sometimes with a slight yellow tinge, in the area where sunscreen was applied. Often not visible until the fabric is held at an angle to the light. More common with cream or lotion sunscreens.
Orange or rust-colored staining: a visible orange, tan, or rust-brown discoloration that often appears or intensifies after washing and drying. More common with chemical sunscreens that contain avobenzone, especially when combined with tap water that is high in iron or other minerals.
Check the care label. Delicate fabrics or dry-clean-only items: take to a professional cleaner and tell them what product caused the stain.
Dark or synthetic fabrics: test any treatment on a hidden area first — apply to an inner seam, press with a white cloth for 5 minutes, and check for color change before treating a visible area.
Steps
For oily or greasy sunscreen residue:
Apply dish soap or heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent directly to the stained area. These are designed to cut through oily residue.
Work it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush.
Let it dwell for 20–30 minutes.
Wash according to the care label. Warm water improves results for oily stains.
Before drying, check in good light. If the stain or greasiness remains, repeat — do not use the dryer until the stain is out.
For orange or rust-colored avobenzone staining:
Do not use chlorine bleach. It can react with avobenzone compounds and set or worsen the discoloration.
Apply white vinegar directly to the stained area. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes. The mild acid can help break down some avobenzone deposits.
Wash in cool or warm water according to the care label.
Check before drying. If staining remains, try an oxygen bleach soak on fabrics that can handle it: test on a hidden area first (press against an inner seam for 5 minutes with a cloth dampened in the diluted solution and check for color change). If unaffected, soak the stained area in oxygen bleach solution per product instructions for 30 minutes, then rewash.
Some avobenzone staining, particularly on fabrics that have been washed and dried multiple times without treatment, may be permanent.
What not to do
- Do not use chlorine bleach on orange or rust-colored sunscreen stains. Chlorine bleach can react with avobenzone and make the discoloration worse or permanent.
- Do not put the garment in the dryer if the stain has not been removed. Heat sets both oily residue and avobenzone staining.
- Do not use high heat to dry light-colored synthetics with oily sunscreen residue. Heat can turn residue yellow and bond it to the fibers permanently.
- Do not assume oxygen bleach is safe on dark or synthetic fabric without testing. Always do a hidden-area test first.
Frequently asked questions
Why does sunscreen turn clothes orange?
Orange or rust-colored staining from sunscreen is typically caused by avobenzone, a UV-filtering ingredient, reacting with iron or other minerals present in tap water. The reaction produces orange-brown compounds that bond to fabric. This is a chemical interaction, not just oily residue, so it does not respond to dish soap the same way greasy sunscreen does.
Can I use bleach to remove orange sunscreen stains?
Do not use chlorine bleach on orange or rust-colored sunscreen stains — it can react with avobenzone compounds and make the discoloration worse or permanent. White vinegar and, on fabrics that can handle it, oxygen bleach are better options. Always test oxygen bleach on a hidden area first before applying to a visible stain.
Not sure if this approach is right for your situation? Use the Stain Rescue Tool to get a personalized step-by-step plan based on your stain, surface, and what you have at home.
Use the Stain Rescue Tool