Will fake tan stain my clothes?

Tips on caring for your clothes after a spray tan.

Sunless tanner will easily wash off the majority of fabrics.

Naked, cold and embarrassed – that’s where we’d be without our beloved wardrobe of skirts, shirts, tops and smocks to adorn our sun-kissed bodies with. And yes although they may be precious, our outfits are tough enough to withstand a little rough and tumble every now and again, especially when spray-tan-time comes around. The good news is that sunless tan washes off!

Remember that in the same way as you need to allow the foundation on your face to set before applying blusher and lipstick, your fake tan will need time to dry completely before you can put your clothes back on. Wait about 15 minutes before changing to reduce the risk of staining your garments with product.

We advise that you wear loose clothing after your treatment to prevent marking your skin with tight straps and sleeves. If any sunless tanning solution does stain your clothes you will most likely be able to wash it off in the machine or simply hand wash the stained area if your outfit is made of a delicate fabric. However, it’s always a good idea to wear something that you don’t mind getting dirty in the very unlikely case that any stains can’t be removed. So, bypass delicate fabrics and opt for dark coloured clothes that aren’t brand new.

Try to avoid touching your skin while your tan develops, which can take between 6-8 hours. Many people like to leave their tan on overnight to ensure that it has had enough time to fully develop. If you choose to do this be aware that your bed sheets may become discoloured if you’re spray tan hasn’t fully dried.  If you tend to sweat at night it’s possible that some product will be transmitted onto your sheets. Again, any colour transfer should come off in the wash.

Carefully wash all of the guide colour off in the shower with a gentle body wash after your tan has developed. Once the water is running clear you should be okay to pat dry your skin dry. It is rare that any colour will be transferred to your clothes after this point. But if you like to sweat it out at the gym or visit the steam room during the week be aware that your tan could stain your exercise kit. Water and steam tend to reduce the life of a fake tan so limit going to to swimming pool or sauna if you want to retain your golden colour for as long as possible.