I love going on holiday; I even quite like sorting through the piles of laundry upon return. But my biggest holiday bugbear? The amount of clothing and swimwear I've had ruined over the years by sun cream. Being very fair-skinned, I'm diligent with my sunscreen application, and always wear a factor 50.
Being a beauty editor, I'm also lucky enough to have tried most sunscreen formulas out there, and so I'm well aware of the ones that go one clear and weightless rather than thick and sticky. And yet every year I return home with a suitcase full of white linen and light-coloured swimsuits covered in stubborn pale yellow marks that require a full arsenal of washing products to even attempt to remove. I've tried every tip and trick , from leaving it out to dry in the sun to adding white vinegar and lemon juice to the washing machine – I've even been known to add a splash of bleach into completely white loads – with little luck, but these are the products that have had the greatest effect on my summer wardrobe favourites stained by sun cream.
To be honest, I usually throw all of this in the drum together on a 40oC wash, but I'm by no means an expert, and please always read the care labels and make your own judgement before washing! I was recommended Napisan by a friend with a toddler for getting almost any stain our of clothing , and it's been a staple in my kitchen cupboard ever since. It works best when the garment is soaked overnight in a bowl of warm water with a cupful of .
