Whether you are at a BBQ, a garden party, or travelling abroad, the likelihood that your clothes will get stained is high – here is how to remove the most stubborn of stains
Removing a stain from white fabric(Image: Getty Images)
Summer is filled with the moments we wait for all year, like beach days, BBQs and garden parties, but while summer weather lifts our mood, it can quietly wreak havoc on our wardrobes.
From sunscreen marks on white T-shirts and grass stains on children’s clothes to fake tan transferring onto bras, underwear and bedding, some of the toughest stains of the year tend to appear during the warmer months. While people usually throw stained items straight into the wash and hope for the best, using the wrong method can actually make stains much harder to remove.
Summer laundry mistakes are one of the biggest reasons clothes lose their fresh look long before they should. Janine Dutton, owner of Belle Lingerie, reveals the seven most common summer stains that damage clothing, along with the best ways to tackle them properly.
Why Summer Stains Are Harder to Remove
Many summer stains contain ingredients that cling tightly to fabric fibres:
- Sunscreen contains UV filters and oils.
- Sweat mixes with body oils and deodorant.
- Grass contains chlorophyll.
- Fake tan contains DHA, which bonds to fabrics.
- Ice cream contains sugar and dairy proteins.
If heat is applied too soon, either through hot water or the tumble dryer, the stain can become much harder to remove.
Sunscreen Stains
Sunscreen is known for leaving yellow or orange marks on white tops, swimwear and bra straps.
How to Remove:
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the stain to absorb excess oil
- Add a few drops of washing-up liquid
- Gently work it in with an old toothbrush
- Leave for 20 minutes
- Wash as normal
White chalk rubbed onto fresh sunscreen stains can help absorb oily residue before washing.
Sweat Stains
Sweat and deodorant can cause yellow underarm marks and lingering odours.
How to Remove:
- Mix bicarbonate of soda with water to create a paste
- Apply to the stain
- Leave for 30 minutes
- Wash as usual
Crushed aspirin dissolved in water can help lift yellow marks from white cotton garments.
Grass Stains
A classic summer stain, especially after picnics, festivals and children playing outdoors.
How to Remove:
- Dab with clear vinegar
- Apply liquid detergent
- Gently brush with a toothbrush
- Wash on a cool cycle
A small amount of hairspray can help loosen fresh grass stains before washing.
Fake Tan Stains
Fake tan is commonly known for transferring onto dresses, pyjamas, underwear and bedding.
How to Remove:
- Rinse in cold water
- Rub in washing-up liquid
- Leave for 15 minutes
- Wash as usual
Micellar water can help break down fake tan marks on delicate fabrics before washing.
Ice Cream Stains
Ice cream contains sugar, dairy and food colouring, making it deceptively difficult to remove.
How to Remove:
- Scrape away excess
- Rinse with cold water
- Apply detergent
- Wash as normal
A little white vinegar can reduce the sticky sugar residue.
BBQ Sauce and Ketchup
These stains have a mix of sugar, oils and strong tomato pigments.
How to Remove:
- Scrape off excess sauce
- Rinse from the back
- Apply washing-up liquid
- Wash on a cool cycle
Club soda can help lift fresh tomato-based stains before they set.
Chlorine, Saltwater and Sand
Even if swimwear looks clean, chlorine and salt can weaken elastic fibres over time.
How to Remove:
- Rinse immediately after wearing
- Hand wash with a mild detergent
- Lay flat to dry
This is especially important for bras and swimwear with delicate elastic and underwire.
The Biggest Summer Laundry Mistakes
- Using hot water too soon
- Tumble drying before checking the stain is gone
- Rubbing too aggressively
- Leaving stains untreated for days
- Using harsh products on delicate fabrics like lace lingerie and bras
How to Protect Clothes All Summer Long
- Treat stains as soon as possible
- Rinse swimwear after every use
- Wash delicate bras and underwear in a lingerie bag
- Avoid overloading the washing machine
- Air dry whenever possible
- Rotate frequently worn items
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