The Suncream Stain Hack That Saved My Favourite Summer Dress

If you're anything like me, you'll have been making the most of this glorious weather. Long days in the garden, outdoor lunches, BBQs, gardening club and plenty of sunshine mean one thing... we're all getting through rather a lot of suncream!

But have you noticed what it's doing to your clothes?

I recently pulled out one of my favourite white sundresses, only to discover those dreaded yellow marks around the neckline and straps. You know the ones. They don't seem to wash out however many times you put them through the machine. My first thought was that the dress had probably reached the end of its life.

Thankfully, before giving up on it, I decided to try something I'd been sent by French Soaps UK, their traditional Marseille Stain Bar.

The Test

The instructions couldn't have been simpler.

I dampened the stained areas of the dress, rubbed the Marseille Stain Bar directly onto the fabric, gently worked the soap into the fibres and left it for around 20 minutes before washing it as normal.

When I took it out of the washing machine, I genuinely couldn't believe the difference. The yellow sunscreen marks had virtually disappeared and my favourite summer dress looked fresh again. I love it when a product actually does what it promises!

Why Does It Work?

One of the most interesting things I learnt is that most sunscreen stains aren't actually the sunscreen itself. They're the oils and waxes used within the product. Traditional Marseille soap naturally binds to these oils, helping lift them away from the fibres during washing.

Some of the more stubborn yellow or orange stains can even be caused by a reaction between certain sunscreen ingredients and minerals in hard water, which explains why they can be so frustrating to remove.

My Top Tips for Removing Suncream Stains

After trying it for myself, here's what I'd recommend:

• Wet the fabric first.

• Rub the Marseille Stain Bar directly onto the stain.

• Gently work it into the fibres.

• Leave it for 10 to 30 minutes.

• Wash as normal using cool water.

• If the stain hasn't completely disappeared, simply repeat the treatment.

• Most importantly, don't tumble dry it if the stain is still visible. Heat can set sunscreen stains, making them much harder to remove.

Why I Love It

You all know how passionate I am about living more sustainably and, for me, this isn't just about getting stains out.

It's about making our clothes last longer.

How many garments end up being thrown away simply because of a stain? If we can rescue something we already own instead of replacing it, that's better for our wallets and better for the planet too.

I also love that the Marseille Stain Bar is such a traditional solution. Sometimes the old ways really are the best. Rather than reaching for lots of harsh chemicals, this simple soap tackles the oils naturally and effectively while being kinder to your clothes.

Lynne Loves – Tried & Tested

This one has definitely earned its place in my cleaning cupboard.

It's simple to use, gentle on fabrics and, most importantly, it genuinely worked on my much loved white sundress. That's enough to make it a Lynne Loves – Tried & Tested recommendation.

So, if your summer wardrobe has fallen victim to suncream stains, don't give up on it just yet. It might just need a little helping hand from a traditional Marseille Stain Bar.

I'd love to know if you've tried one before or if you have any stain busting tips of your own. Pop them in the comments and let's help each other keep our favourite clothes looking their best for years to come. Buy your Marseille Stain Bar here.