Cleaning gurus swear by £2 trick to banish stubborn sun cream stains from even the whitest of clothes this summer

The Sun

14-05-2025

WITH spring in full swing and the weather heating up, many of us are sure to be slapping on the sun cream before we head out to spend time in the sun.
Wearing sun cream is vital for everyone, no matter your age, but if you've spotted a stubborn stain on your favourite top thanks to your UV protection, don't worry, you've come to the right place.
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Sun cream can often leave harsh stains on clothes that are a challenge to remove - but luckily for you, cleaning enthusiasts have sworn by a £2 trick that will remove the sticky stuff from even the whitest of outfits this summer.
And don't worry if you're on a budget, as thankfully you may already have the secret at home.
It comes after a woman posted on Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, a private Facebook group with 622,800 members, and wrote: "I know this has been asked many times, but I can't remember the answer.
'Sorry to be a pain, but could someone tell me how to get the yellow effect sun lotion leaves on white T-shirts out, please?"
Numerous social media users eagerly raced to the comments to share their handy tips and tricks, with the common solution being to use soda crystals, which can be picked up from most supermarkets.
One person simply advised: "Soak in soda crystals."
Whilst another added: "I use Milton and soda crystals. Soak overnight, then wash, dry outside in the sun."
If you fancy giving this trick a try, you'll be pleased to know that you can find the large bags of Dri-Pak Soda Crystals from Asda, Sainsbury's and Savers, for just £2 a bag.
To use soda crystals to banish stains, you'll first of all need to grab a clean cloth and blot the stain gently.
Then, sprinkle the soda crystals onto the stain and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
The £1.25 buy parents are swearing by to get rid of stains in seconds, and it works on everything from pen to ketchup
Following this, you can apply a small amount of dish soap, which you should massage in gently and then let sit for five to 10 minutes.
Once you've done this, rinse the garment under warm water and then wash the item as normal.
The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine
Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream.
The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference - and this matters for all ages - is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed.
"The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation," she continued, not because you're "not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday".
"If you're not doing in your 20s, get on that now."
But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn't go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun.
Doing this over your lifetime - and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days - "will reduce the visible signs of photoageing", Andrea said.
Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin.
Not only did many rave about using soda crystals to banish stains, but other commenters suggested the woman try covering the stain in washing-up liquid.
As well as this, cleaning fans also claimed that white vinegar does the trick.
One user posted: "Distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Leave to soak and then rub original fairy liquid into the area.
"You have to get the yellowing, protein and the oil out, and all three of these will do this."
Meanwhile, a second recommended: "White vinegar. Spray on, leave for a while, then wash in bio detergent. Try and hang outside in the sun."
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More hacks to get rid of harsh stains
Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with vinegar and wash as usual.
Lemon Juice and Salt: Squeeze lemon juice over the stain. Sprinkle salt generously. Rub the fabric together and leave it in the sun for an hour before washing.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Dab the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse.
Milk for Ink Stains: Soak the stained area in milk. Leave it overnight. Rinse and wash the following day.
White Vinegar for Grass Stains: Apply white vinegar directly to the grass stain. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Wash as usual.
Cornflour for Grease Stains: Sprinkle cornflour onto the grease stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the grease. Brush off the cornflour and wash the garment.
Toothpaste for Collar Stains: Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to the collar stain. Scrub gently with a toothbrush. Rinse and wash as usual.