Discoloured collar and cuffs on school dress

[Lenny]

I find sunscreen incredibly hard to get out of the kids white clothes (the few they have). Could it be suncreen? I can't get it out with pretreaters - i might need a rust remover too.

Steps for removing sunscreen stains
•If iron content in water is not an issue: pretreat the stain with a heavy duty liquid detergent or make a paste with powder detergent/water and let this set on fabric at least 30 minutes or overnight.Then launder as usual. Check clothing before drying. If stain remains, repeat.
•If the water has a high iron content, use a water softener . Be sure to wash and rinse clothing in warm water treated with a water softener.
•High heat and chlorine bleach can make the problem worse if there is iron in the water.
•If stain is still present, launder with a commercial rust remover. Commercial rust removers are for use only on white or colorfast fabrics.

[Olive]

DD's cuffs were discoloured too due to sunscreen ( I assume) I used one if those Exit blocks!! I got one from target a few years ago and never used it until last night, worked a treat on the cuffs.

[AnyDream]

It's worth keeping at least one enzyme-based product in your laundry, just for these things. A product like the original Preen (spray on, leave it to soak in then wash like normal in hot water) or even one of the napisan-style soaking product (just look for the ones that say the word enzyme otherwise you're only getting a bleach) are very effective for stains with an organic origin. And for oily stains, soak and wash in the hottest water that's suitable for the fabric. I'm not a fan of buying lots of different household products but it is worth having one of these in the cupboard for those times when you do need it.

[Astrid]

Thanks ladies

I did try the lemon juice, but don't think I got enough sun on it
I took the dress to MIL's when we went on holiday, she had a White King spray. We used that and it helped a bit.
Then I bought a Bosistos pre wash stick and that helped a bit more.

I do have a soaker with enzimes, but it is a Coles brand ones, so not sure if it is doing the job.

Oh, it wont be sunscreen, just our skin type. I am terrible with whites, so it looks like DD1 is as well.

[Sopdet]

What about those blue block things that you soak the clothes in and hang them out on the line in the sunshine. Mum swore by them with bore water.

[Astrid]

Not on bore water, just plain old tank water from the roof

[Sopdet]

yeh thought you were on tank, just saying she swore by them for bore water (as well as city water & rain water).