21 Jul 2025
smol sunscreen stain cheat sheet
- Yes, sunscreen can stain clothes, especially white ones.
- The yellow marks = usually from oil and avobenzone in the formula.
- Rinse, pre-treat, wash on cool, repeat if needed.
- Use smol stain gel for best results on white clothes and towels.
- Avoid heat until the stain is 100% gone.
Sunscreen’s for your skin. Not your clothes. And yet it often ends up on both.
We’re all for protecting yourself from the sun, but if you’ve ever found weird yellow patches after a beach day or noticed your white shirt looking a bit off-colour, you’re not alone.
Sunscreen stains are real. And they’re sneaky. You might not spot them until after a wash, especially on light fabrics like white clothes and fluffy towels.
But don’t worry because we’ve got your SPF-stained back.
Here’s how to remove sunscreen stains the easy way.
why does sunscreen stain clothes?
Most suncreams contain something called avobenzone, which is an ingredient that blocks out those pesky UV rays.
When it mixes with certain minerals in the water (like iron or calcium), it oxidises, leaving rusty yellow stains that are especially visible on white fabrics. Add in the fact that sunscreens are held in creams and oils, and you've got the perfect recipe for a tough-to-shift mark.
what you’ll need to remove sunscreen stains:
- Cold running water
- smol stain gel (enzyme-powered, bleach-free, refillable)
- An old clean toothbrush
- A bowl of white vinegar and water (optional for soaking)
- smol laundry capsules
- A clean cloth.
how to get yellow sun cream stains out of white clothes.
step 1: a cold rinse.
- Turn the item inside out.
- Rinse the stain under running cold water.
- Blot gently with clean cloth (don’t rub).
- This helps flush out any oily residue before it sets.
step 2: pre-treat with smol stain gel.
- Apply 4 pumps directly to the stain.
- Rub it into the stain gently, using a soft clean toothbrush.
- Leave it for 5 to 10 mins to let the enzymes get to work.
step 3: wash.
- Pop the stained item in your machine with a smol capsule (bio works best).
- Choose a cooler 20°C or 30°C cycle (heat can set the stain).
- Skip the fabric conditioner this time (it can coat fibres and trap residue)
step 4: check before drying.
- Don’t dry your clothes just yet.
- Hold the item up to the light and if the mark’s still there? Repeat the process.
- Drying too soon can lock in stains permanently.
how to get yellow sun cream stains out of towels.
Towels love to soak up sunscreen and because they’re usually bulkier than our clothes, this can make stain removal tougher. Try this:
- Rinse the stain under cold water.
- Pre-treat with smol stain gel, as above.
- Soak in a bowl of half warm water and half white vinegar for 1 hour.
- Wash with your smol capsule!
- Check the stain. If it’s still visible, repeat before drying.
Top tip: avoid fabric softener here too as it can make towels less absorbent and lock in oily marks.
FAQs: sunscreen stains & how to beat them.
does sunscreen stain clothes?
Yes it really does, especially whites. Avobenzone plus minerals in water = yellow marks.
do sunscreen stains come out?
Yes, with the right steps. Pre-treatment, cool water, and the right stain gel are key.
what’s the difference between sunscreen and suncream?
Just the name. They both mean the same thing and both have the same UV blocking super powers. They will also both stain your clothes!
are some sunscreens more likely to stain than others?
Yes. Formulas with avobenzone and a high oil content tend to stain more, especially when mixed with harder water (that’s rich in iron or minerals).
what’s best for removing sunscreen stains?
- smol stain gel for pre-treatment.
- Cold water.
- A bleach-free, enzyme-rich detergent (hello again smol capsule).
- Avoiding heat until the stain’s gone.
don’t let SPF ruin your outfit.
It IS possible to be sun-safe and stain-free this summer with a little help from smol. Our powerful, refillable stain gel tackles oily sunscreen marks (plus 20+ other stains), and our laundry capsules keep things fresh..
So go ahead: slip, slop, slap... and smol.