How to Remove Waxhead Sunscreen Stains

Our tinted sunscreens are not like common artificially tinted products, which are formulated to maximize ease-of-use at the expense of safety. Ours use only naturally occurring tints, which can stain clothing. For more information on how to remove and lessen such stains, please see below.

 

 

Cocoa Powder Stain Removal

Our Tinted Sport Stick and Tinted Sunscreen Field Tins use Certified Organic Cocoa Powder as a tint. If it stains your clothing or bathing suit, use the following method to remove:

1. Treat stains quickly. Delay can make stains harder to remove. Scrape off extra sunscreen, but avoid rubbing spot until AFTER treating, since this may further grind stain into the fabric.

2. Treat the spot with lemon juice or white vinegar to break down the stain. Allow it to work for several minutes, then lightly scrape spot with a small brush or toothbrush. Rinse with cold water to make sure acid doesn’t damage the garment. In most cases, the treatment will loosen the stain, allowing for gentle removal. Do NOT use hot water, which can set a stain.

3. Stain’s underside can also be flushed with a solution of 1 teaspoon grease-dissolving dish soap (blue Dawn is good) and 1 cup cold water. Machine wash as usual (in cold water), but do not dry unless the stain is completely removed.

4. Stubborn stains can be further treated by blotting with hydrogen peroxide or applying a thick mixture of borax and water, about the consistency of toothpaste, leaving for 10 minutes, then washing/rinsing with cold water.

 

 

Iron Oxides Stain Removal

Our Tinted Facial Sunscreen uses natural iron oxides as a tint. If it stains your clothing or bathing suit, use one of the following methods (make sure to treat the stain BEFORE rubbing):

1. Lemon juice and table salt. Mix equal parts juice and salt into a paste, then apply directly to spot. Refresh lemon juice to keep the spot damp. Don’t let it dry. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. White fabrics can also be placed into direct sunlight to minimize discoloration.

2. White vinegar. Saturate stain completely with vinegar, cover in a layer of table salt, then gently rub in the salt. Let the stain soak for a few hours, then rinse stain away with cold water.

3. Liquid dish soap. Mix 1 teaspoon soap (blue Dawn is good) with 1 cup of cold water. Thoroughly saturate the stain and allow the solution to react for at least five minutes, then rub and rinse with cold water.

4. Some stains require more effort to remove. If stain remnants are present after the first attempt, repeat the process before drying. Drying (especially with direct heat) will set stains, so avoid drying until the stain is completely gone.

 

 

Beeswax Stain Removal

Many of our sunscreens contain beeswax, and very hot water is needed when washing. We've found that hand-washing with blue dawn soap has worked well. and we've also had good luck using the following steps:

1. Wash the soiled garment in a washing machine in hot water and a scoop of laundry detergent.

2. Boil water in a large pot and remove from heat. If the stain remains, place the soiled garment in the hot water and add a scoop of laundry detergent. Repeat the process several times until the stain comes out.

3. Apply a stain-removing product to the stained area if the stain still won't come out. Follow the directions on your specific product. If the stain remover won't work, take the garment to a dry cleaner.