How to remove lotion stains from clothes

It doesn’t matter if you simply want to keep your skin protected from the harsh sun or you wish to get rid of that pesky skin dryness, you surely use lotion, cream, and sunscreen now and then. But, while lotions can be very helpful, they may spell disaster for your clothes if you aren’t too careful. This is why it is important to learn how to get rid of lotion stains on clothes.

Will lotion stain clothes

Yes, the lotion can leave stains on clothes. Lotion products contain what they call oil stains so special attention is necessary to completely remove the stain. You need to take action fast before the stain sets. After the stain sets, removing it may become impossible and even if you throw the garment in the washer, it may not get rid of the stain completely.

Why do lotion, cream, and sunscreen cause stains

Many lotions, creams, and sunscreens all share one thing in common and that is an oil base. This is the reason why you need a god stain remover that will be able to cut through this oil to remove the stain. It is true whether you are dealing with stains from sun creams, suntan lotions, sunscreen spray, tanning oil, or lanolin.

How to remove lotion stains

Lotion stains can be very tricky since lotion contains oil and water. The stain may be harder to get out due to the lotion’s oil content. Just putting the stained clothes in the washer won’t remove the stain. You need to use a special cleaner meant to remove oil.

There are several special steps you need to take to eliminate lotion stains.

1. Remove any excess lotion first.

The very first step you need to take is to remove any excess lotion from the fabric. You can try washing most of the remaining lotion using a damp washcloth or rag. You can also put the cloth under running water to eliminate any excess lotion.

There are several good reasons why you should do this. The first is that it will ensure that the lotion doesn’t spread and create a bigger spot or a new stain. The second is it will also keep the stain moist.

2. Keep the lotion stain moist.

One of the most important parts when it comes to removing lotion stains is keeping them moist. The stain must remain wet. It will make it easier to remove the stain compared to letting it dry out. As stated in the first step, you need to run the item under cold water. This cold water can prevent the stain from getting dried out.

You can also soak the stained clothing in a bucket of water in case you are running short on time and you won’t be able to remove the stain until much later.

Keeping the stain wet ensures that it won’t set. If putting the item under cold water, just get a damp rag and put this over the stain to maintain its wetness.

3. Apply the stain remover.

Once the stain has become wet enough, it is now time for you to apply stain remover on it. There are now many stain removers in the market and any of them will be just fine to use. What matters here is to ensure that the product you choose will also work on oil-based stains.

Be sure that you check the label and ensure that the product can be safely used on the specific material. You wouldn’t want to end up using a stain remover that will damage the material you will apply it to.

Allow the product to soak on the stain based on the directions. You can wait for 10 to 15 minutes before you proceed to the next step. Again, always read and follow the directions for using the stain remover.

4. Wash the stained item.

You can now proceed to wash the product. Place the item in the washing machine. You can also wash other items together with no need to worry that the stain will transfer to them.

Avoid putting the garment in the dryer until you completely remove the stain. If washing the item is not allowed, you can just rinse it under the sink. Bigger items can also be rinsed off in the tub. Rub the stain gently while rinsing this with water. Make sure you use cool water for this and if the stain persists, repeat the above steps and begin the process from the start.

Important tips when dealing with lotion stain

There are several important things you need to keep in mind when dealing with lotion stains. Following them can do wonders in making sure that you can remove the stains fast and effectively.

Check the stain remover

Always check the stain remover product you will use to ensure that it is safe to be applied on the specific fabric of the stained garment. Don’t forget to test it first on a small patch before you apply large amounts of the product. You also need to avoid using bleach on colored shirts as it will only create a bigger stain that might be impossible to remove.

Avoid drying the stained garment

Never put the garment in the clothes dryer. It will permanently set the stain, making it impossible to remove. The only time that you can put the garment in the dryer is after you have let it air dry. You can also place the clothing on the clothes ‘ rank and allow it to dry this way.

Use oil stain remover

Use a quality stain remover that can remove the oil stains. There are stain removers that can only get rid of water-based stains and these types of stain removers won’t be of any help to you. Be sure to check the bottle to confirm that it can remove oil-based stains.

Use cold water

The stain will become permanent if you use hot water, making it impossible to remove. Hot water may set the stain or mess up the product’s dye with the stain.

How to remove suntan lotion stain from clothes

Here are the steps you need to follow to remove suntan lotion stains from clothes:

1. Apply hot water and soft soap on the stain. Let it absorb for several hours. Scrub the lotion stains with a brush or your hands afterwards. Wash the clothing one or two times.
2. Use dishwasher rinse aid to remove yellow suntan lotion stains. Apply it on the stain then let it sit overnight. Wash the clothing in the washer as you normally would.
3. Apply some solvent on toilet tissue and dab it on the stain. Rinse off the garment before putting it in your washer. You can soak the clothing in the solvent if there are lots of stains.
4. Dishwashing liquid works as an effective grease remover. As you know, suntan lotions are usually oil-based. Dab the liquid over the stain. Let it absorb for a while before placing the item in the washer.
5. If you already tried all of the above tips but the stain is still visible, you can place it under the sun right after you are done washing it. The bleaching effect of the sun can help remove stains.

How to remove tanning lotion stains from clothing

Follow these steps to remove tanning lotion stains from your clothes:

1. Mix one cup warm water with one teaspoon of liquid dish soap free from dyes. There are garments that cannot endure heat so if it is the case, you can go for cool or lukewarm water to keep the garment protected.
2. Let the stained area soak for 5 minutes in the solution and start pressing it from both of the garment’s sides with a couple of paper towels. Avoid rubbing it further to the fibers. Just firmly press the stained spot between the paper towels to pull out the stain.
3. Wash the garment the usual way using detergent then check the stained spot. If the stain persists, mix together one cup of water with ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide. Soak the stain in the solution for 5 minutes.
4. Take out the garment then press the spot between two paper towels like before. Wash the item and let it dry.

How to remove old lotion stains from clothes

If you are dealing with old lotion stains, the steps below can effectively remove the stain soon.

1. You should pre-treat first the stained spot. Apply an enzyme-based stain remover to deal with the stain’s oily component. Use a soft-bristled brush or your fingers to work the product on the stain. You can also use a strong liquid paste detergent. You can also form a paste using water and powdered detergent. Let the solution sit on the garment for a minimum of 15 minutes. 
2. Brush the stain lightly with a soft-bristled brush, beginning from the outer edges then moving to the middle to avoid spreading. Use hot water for rinsing the area thoroughly.
3. Just wash the clothing as usual using the hottest water according to the care label of the fabric. Check the site to make sure that it is totally removed before you put it in the dryer.
4. Prepare a solution of oxygen-based bleach and cool water. Soak the garment here for at least 8 hours. Check if you removed the stain. Wash as usual if the stain is removed. If the stain persists, prepare a fresh solution then repeat the process. Several soakings might be necessary to completely get rid of the stain.
5. Let the garment air-dry until you are sure that you removed the stain.

Preventing lotion stains

The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent your favorite lotion products from staining your clothes or any other fabric.

1. Apply less lotion

Try applying less lotion if possible. Avoid applying a large amount on your hands as it will only make the excess product spill and splatter on your clothes and the floor. It will also prevent wasting the product.

Begin with a small amount then apply it gradually until you get enough. Never use more than what you need because more is not the better option most of the time.

2. Rub in the lotion properly

See to it that you fully and properly rub the product after you apply it. Some people tend to wipe off their hands on their clothes after applying. The extra residue left on your hands may cause staining. You also wouldn’t want any lotion on sensitive parts of the body such as your eyes and mouth.

Types of materials that lotion stain often

Lotion products can stain many types of materials and these include but are not limited to the following:

• Blankets
• Carpet
• Clothes
• Leather
• Sheets
• Walls

How to remove lotion stains from leather

1. Wipe off the lotion fast once it gets on leather material.
2. Dampen a piece of clean rag and use it to gently wipe off the lotion. You can use a soft microfiber rag to prevent harming the leather.

The faster you get things done, the lesser the risks that a stain will form. If ever the lotion stain already left a mark, you might no longer be able to remove it anymore.

What are permanent fabric stains?

Fabric stains occur once the clothing fibers get permanently discolored. It occurs once the stain develops a chemical bond with the clothing fibers.

The chemical bond process can speed up when the fabric is exposed to direct heat, such as when placed in the dryer or hung out to dry under direct sunlight. Now, just because a lotion stain doesn’t mean that it is bad for the skin or filled with bad chemicals.

You can get a lotion with no harsh chemicals and still find it staining your clothes. It is because of the product’s oil content. While the oil in lotion helps your skin, the downside is that it stains easily.