‘I’ve tried every stain remover to get sun cream out of swimwear – this is what really works’

I adore jetting off on holiday and I don’t even mind tackling the mountain of laundry when I get back. But what drives me mad is the countless pieces of clothing and swimwear that have been ruined over the years by sun cream.

As a fair-skinned gal, I’m religious about applying sunscreen and always opt for a factor 50. As a beauty editor, I’ve also had the privilege of testing out most sunscreen formulas on the market, so I know which ones glide on clear and weightless rather than thick and sticky.

Yet, every year I return home with a suitcase full of white linen and light-coloured swimsuits stained with stubborn pale yellow marks that demand an entire arsenal of washing products to even begin to tackle.

I’ve tried every hack in the book, from air drying in the sun to adding white vinegar and lemon juice to the washing machine – I’ve even resorted to a dash of bleach for completely white loads – but to little avail. However, there are a few cleaning products that have made the biggest difference to my summer wardrobe favourites tarnished by sun cream.

To be honest, I usually chuck all of this into the drum together for a 40ºC wash, but I’m no expert, so please always read the care labels and make your own judgement before washing!

Digital Products Best stain removers for getting sun cream out of clothes

Napisan Non Bio Stain Remover Powder

A friend with a toddler recommended Napisan to me for removing almost any stain from clothing, and it’s been a staple in my kitchen cupboard ever since. It works best when the garment is soaked overnight in a bowl of warm water with a cupful of this in. It’s great for getting trainers white again, too.

• Napisan Non Bio Stain Remover Powder, £12 from Amazon

Elbow Grease All-Purpose Degreaser Spray

Another tip from a parent, Elbow Grease is a multi-purpose cleaning cupboard staple that’s not only great at breaking down grease and oil on your worktops and hob but also the oils in your sun cream stains, too.

• Elbow Grease All-Purpose Degreaser Spray, £11.99 from Amazon

Ace for Colours

This is a good choice of laundry detergent if you’ve got coloured or black-and-white items of clothing, as it’s hard on stains while protecting and preserving colours. Chuck a capful into the washing machine drum with a Colour Catcher to avoid ending up with a load of grey clothing.

• Ace for Colours, £12 for a pack of 2 from Amazon

Vanish PowerGel Stain Remover

I chuck a spoonful of Vanish Oxi Action into every white wash to keep them looking fresh, but for extra-tough marks I treat the area with Vanish PowerGel first, and leave it on for five minutes before washing. It’s great for working into dirty collars.

• Vanish PowerGel Stain Remover, £7.99 for a pack of 2 from Amazon

If you have any other tips, please let me know!

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