Article: Sunscreen and yellow stains on clothes
All chemical UV filters are yellow, and it is the colour of the filters that causes the yellow stains on clothes and bedding.
How much sunscreen transfers can vary from person to person, depending on how thick a layer is applied and whether the sunscreen has time to absorb or sits greasily on the skin.
Why does sunscreen cause yellow stains on clothes?
All sunscreens contain either physical or chemical filters. These UV filters protect against the sun’s harmful rays. Both physical and chemical UV filters stain textiles.
- Chemical filters cause yellow stains
- Physical filters cause white stains.
The higher the SPF, the greater the tendency to stain clothes
All chemical UV filters are yellow, and it is the colour of the filters that causes yellow stains on clothes and bedding.
How much sunscreen transfers can vary from person to person, depending on how thickly it is applied and whether it has time to absorb or remains greasy on the skin.
DID YOU KNOW:
People who live in Jutland will find it easier to wash out stains than consumers in the capital because of the ion content of the water in relation to its hardness.
How do I avoid stains on my clothes? And what do I do when an accident happens?
UV filters can stain clothes, so it is important to let your sun protection absorb well into your skin before putting on your summer clothes. This reduces the risk of stains on your clothes.
Once textiles are stained, it is important to avoid washing them at excessively high temperatures (40 degrees is too high). This makes the stains more likely to set. It can sometimes help to soak the clothes in cold tap water for approx. 24 hours.
It is also beneficial to run the first machine wash without detergent. Detergents can also contain ions that cause it to set instead of washing out.
You can repeat the machine wash, applying plenty of concentrated liquid detergent for coloured textiles directly to the stain and leaving it to work overnight, allowing the fabric fibres to swell. Remember to wash the clothes according to the care label. It may be necessary to repeat the process 2-3 times.
NOTE: It is important not to use washing powder with optical brighteners, bleach or stain remover with OXI effect, as these make the stains worse and more permanent.
Bonus info: People who live in Jutland will find it easier to wash out stains than consumers in the capital because of the ion content of the water in relation to its hardness.
