Tips for Getting Sunscreen Out of Suits

Getting mineral sunscreen out of bathing suits can be tough–and frustrating! Here are my tips for getting sunscreen out of suits! These tips will leave your bathing suits clean and streak free for the summer!

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❤️ Why You’ll Love My Tips for Getting Sunscreen Out of Suits

You will love my tips for getting sunscreen out of suits because mineral sunscreen can be such a hassle! And while it is my preferred sunscreen, often times it leaves streaks and discoloration, especially on dark-colored swim suits.

But these easy tips will keep you and your family streak-free for the summer!

🧽 Materials: Tips for Getting Sunscreen Out of Suits

You might be wondering about the stain working properties of baking soda. Baking soda is a versatile and effective cleaning agent for removing stains from bathing suits. Here’s how it works:

Baking soda has excellent absorbent properties, making it effective at soaking up oils and grease from sunscreen, tanning lotions, and other products. By drawing out these oils, it helps to lift the stain from the fabric.

Baking soda is slightly abrasive, which allows it to gently scrub away dirt and stains without damaging delicate swimsuit fabric. This gentle scrubbing action helps to break up and remove particles trapped in the fibers.

Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer. It can help neutralize any lingering odors that might be trapped in the fabric along with the stains.

The alkaline nature of baking soda helps to neutralize acids and break down stain-causing substances. This can be particularly useful for removing acidic stains, such as those from sweat or certain types of food and drink.

🧼 How to Do

With my tips for getting sunscreen out of suits, be sure to let the baking soda and dish soap paste sit on the stain for at least an hour.

Baking soda needs time to absorb oils, grease, and other stain-causing substances. Allowing it to sit for an hour ensures it has sufficient time to draw out these elements from the fabric.

Dish soap is designed to break down and emulsify oils and grime. When combined with baking soda, it forms a powerful cleaning agent. The hour-long period allows the dish soap to penetrate the stain thoroughly, breaking down the oils and making them easier to remove.

The slightly abrasive nature of baking soda helps in scrubbing the stain gently without damaging the delicate swimsuit fabric. The waiting period enhances this scrubbing action as the paste dries and adheres to the stain particles.

Also, the interaction between baking soda and dish soap creates a chemical reaction that helps lift and dissolve the stain. This reaction is more effective when given adequate time to work on the stain.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

Swim suits can wear out quickly–especially if you wear them often. And the kids? Forget about it! They are hard on their swimsuits in my house!

So what to do? How do I care for our swim suits so we are not always buying new suits?

I always rinse our swimsuits in cool water as soon as possible after swimming. This helps to remove chlorine, salt, sand, and sunscreen, which can degrade the fabric over time.

I hand wash our swimsuits as much as possible. I use a mild detergent designed for delicate fabrics. And I void using regular laundry detergents, which can be too harsh. I wash our swimsuits in cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can damage the elasticity of the fabric.

After washing, I gently squeeze out excess water. I avoid wringing or twisting the swimsuit, as this can stretch and damage the fibers. I lay our swimsuits flat to dry in a shaded area. Avoid hanging it by the straps, as this can cause stretching. Also, I keep them out of direct sunlight, which can fade colors and weaken the fabric.

Also, I never put our swimsuits in the dryer. The heat can damage the elastic and cause shrinkage.

🗒 Variations

If there is a tough stain on our swimsuits, I will soak them in vinegar to release the stain some more. Then I will follow the directions below and use the baking soda & dish soap paste to spot treat!

🫙 How to Store

With my tips for getting sunscreen out of suits, I usually make enough paste for the stain I have on hand and I don’t save leftovers. But if you are looking to store the leftover paste, here are my recommendations:

Choose an Airtight Container:

Use a small, airtight container to store the paste. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids or plastic containers with secure seals are ideal.

Label the Container:

Clearly label the container with the contents and the date you made the paste. This will help you keep track of its freshness.

Store in a Cool, Dry Place:

Keep the container in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Avoid areas with high humidity or direct sunlight, as these can affect the consistency and effectiveness of the paste.

Check for Freshness:

Homemade paste can dry out or lose its potency over time. Check the paste before each use. If it becomes too dry, you can add a few drops of water to rehydrate it and mix well. If it smells off or has changed color, it’s best to discard it and make a new batch.

🤔 Common Questions