Ointments and creams that leave grease marks
Short answer: Zinc ointment, hand cream and sunscreen are fats with pigments that settle between the fibers. Treat the fat with dish soap, and avoid heat until the stain is fully gone, or the remainder burns in for good.
The fat has to go first
Without dish soap the fat stays in the fibers, and the stain visibly returns after drying, even if it seemed to vanish right after washing. Rub in dish soap, and let it sit ten minutes before you wash it.
Sunscreen can yellow fabric
Some sunscreens contain filters that react with the textile and leave a yellowish trace over time. Wash right after use, and do not let the garment sit damp with cream on it, since that gives the discoloration more time to set.
Zinc ointment needs patience
Zinc is white particles that lodge firmly between the fibers rather than sitting on top of the fabric. Repeat the dish soap treatment several times rather than scrubbing hard, which risks damaging the fabric itself instead of the stain.
Hand cream is often the easiest
Hand cream is thinner than zinc ointment and responds well to plain dish soap right away. Dab the stain while it is still fresh, since dried hand cream needs several rounds and longer soaking than a fresh stain does.
No dryer before the stain is gone
Heat burns the fat permanently into the fibers, and then the stain stays no matter what you try afterward. Always check a garment that has touched ointment or cream thoroughly in daylight before you dry it.
Test on sensitive spots
Some creams contain pigments that can bleach delicate textiles with repeated contact over time. Keep an eye on areas that often touch creamed skin, and treat those spots a little more often than the rest of the garment.
Prevent with a towel
Lay a thin towel over your shoulder or arm while cream absorbs, if you plan to dress right after. Washing a towel is easier than trying to rescue a garment from a stain that has burned in.
Several layers need several rounds
If the stain is old with several layers of fat on top of each other, expect to treat it more than once. One round of dish soap is rarely enough for a stain that dried in repeatedly.
Our range
See bamboo t-shirt for women , bamboo clothing for women , bamboo tops for women and bamboo underwear for women , where soft fabric makes fat stains easier to spot early.
Frequently asked questions
Does sunscreen wash out of clothes?
Often yes, if you wash right after use. Old marks can turn yellowish and become hard to remove fully, even after several washes with enzyme detergent.
What works against ointment stains?
Liquid dish soap directly on the stain, ten minutes of soaking, then wash at 40 degrees. Repeat if the stain is still visible after the first wash.
Why does the stain come back after drying?
Because the fat was not fully out when the garment went into the dryer. Treat it again, and check thoroughly before drying it the next time.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
