First things first, and this is CRUCIAL – act fast! Like, *immediately* if you can. The longer that fake tan chills on your clothes, the more it’s gonna set like concrete. Think of it like spilled wine… except orange-y and way more embarrassing.
Okay, so what’s in our arsenal? Well, the internet seems to scream about oxygen-based bleach. Now, I’m not a huge bleach fan, personally. It can be a bit harsh, ya know? Like, “goodbye stain, hello hole in my shirt” harsh. But hey, if you’re desperate, mix up a solution according to the instructions on the box. Just, like, spot test it first in an inconspicuous area, alright? Don’t want any “oops, I bleached the entire back of my blouse” moments. Trust me, been there, done that, got the slightly-too-white T-shirt.
Another option (and one I’m more inclined towards) is good old-fashioned elbow grease and some mild detergent. I’ve had some success with just pre-treating the stain with a squirt of laundry detergent and letting it sit for a bit before chucking it in the wash. Sometimes, that’s all it takes! It’s like, “Hey, stain, I see you, and I’m gonna gently but firmly evict you from this fabric!”
And speaking of washing… wash that bad boy SOLO! Seriously, don’t throw it in with your other whites. You don’t want that sneaky fake tan spreading the love to everything else. It’s like a bronzed plague, I tell ya!
Now, a little tip from yours truly: I’ve also heard murmurs of using baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste, slather it on the stain, let it dry, and then brush it off. It’s supposed to absorb the stain. I haven’t tried this one myself (yet!), but it sounds promising and, bonus, it’s way less likely to melt your clothes.