'I'm Queen of Clean - use a 35p supermarket buy to get suncream off clothes'

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Brits are set to bask in a 38C heatwave, which means we'll all be slapping on the sunscreen – but what happens when it stains your clothes? A cleaning guru has the answer
Summer has officially arrived, with the hottest day of the year already recorded at a scorching 32.2C in Kew, west London last Thursday. However, it's not all sunshine and roses as showers are forecasted to drench some regions, bringing nearly half a month's worth of rain to abruptly end the heatwave.
Weather maps indicate around 30mm of rain - more than half an average June's total - is set to batter parts of the Midlands, the Home Counties and the East of England on Saturday, 28 June. Despite this, the splendid weather is expected to persist for a bit longer, with Saturday predicted to be the warmest day of the year so far, potentially reaching a staggering 38C in some areas of the East of England. People are even wondering if you can stop working when it gets too hot. Meanwhile, Brits are turning their thoughts towards paddling pools, sprinklers and ice lollies to stay cool, and barbecues for some fun in the sun.
Regrettably, this season comes with its own set of stain hazards, from the risk of ketchup or barbecue sauce dripping from our burgers onto our pristine clothes, to the constant application of SPF leaving cream marks, not to mention the heat causing people to leave unsightly sweat stains.
Luckily, This Morning cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean, has all the tips and tricks for tackling stubborn stains, ensuring that you can navigate the heatwave looking and feeling clean and fresh. The 15 Minute Clean: The Quickest Way to a Sparkling Home, £14.99, is available on Amazon, currently on offer for £12.29.
Suncream can be a real nuisance to remove from clothes and the longer you leave it, the worse it'll become. If you're out and about when the stain happens, Lynsey recommends gently blotting it to absorb as much of the cream as possible. Alternatively, use hand sanitiser to cover the stain - this will prevent it from spreading.
If you're away from home at the beach, she advises: "Cover the stain with sand to dry it out. As soon as you can, rinse the stain from the reverse under a cold water tap, to help push it out of the fabric."
And in a genius hack she then recommends using a simple supermarket buy to really do the work. White wine vinegar, available in supermarkets including Aldi for just 35p, is just what you need. Lynsey says: "This can help break down the oil base of the suncream - simply cover the stain in the vinegar then leave for 30 minutes."
You can also use eucalyptus oil, which she says "has magical stain removal qualities and smells incredible. Coat your stain in the stuff, leave for 15 minutes."
Finally, after applying one or the other, wash the garment at the hottest temperature that's safe for the fabric, and check for the stain again before you dry. She finishes: "Once the item has dried you won't get the stain out. So if there is still a trace of the stain repeat this process again. Avoid the tumble dryer because any trace of the stain will become permanent."
For anyone who has a mishap at a barbecue, by spilling sauce on their clothes, Lynsey also has the answer. She suggests first scraping off any excess sauce with a blunt knife to prevent it from seeping further into the fabric. She advises: "You should then flip the item inside out and rinse under cold running water to push the sauce out from the back, as this helps lift the stain rather than spread it. Cold water also prevents the stain from setting."
But that's not all. You should then turn the garment right-side out, apply a dollop of washing-up liquid directly to the stained area, and pop it in the wash as usual.
As Lynsey explains: "Washing-up liquid cuts through the grease and sugar in barbecue sauces."