Your Summer Laundry Guide — Sweat, Sunscreen, and Saltwater

Long, sunny days mean more time outside, and inevitably, more laundry. Between beach trips, backyard barbecues, and sweaty afternoons, your clothes go through a lot.

This summer laundry guide shares simple tips to keep your favorite pieces fresh, bright, and ready for whatever the season brings. Just keep these summer laundry tips handy, and you’ll be sorted!

The ultimate summer laundry guide: 6 tips for cleaner, fresher clothes

Wondering how to wash summer clothes properly? Follow these 6 simple summer laundry tips to keep everything from your favorite T-shirt to swimsuit looking their best:

Tip 1: Sort your summer laundry before it reaches the washer 

The first rule of this summer laundry guide is simple: summer laundry isn’t one-solution-suits-all. Swimsuits, beach towels, and lightweight fabrics all have different care needs. Taking a minute to sort your laundry helps prevent color transfer, fabric damage, and unnecessary wear. 

So separate your load into:

• Everyday cotton clothes

• Whites and light-colored clothes

• Gym clothes and other synthetics

• Swimsuits

• Beach towels

• Linen, rayon, and delicate pieces

If anything is damp from the beach or a workout, don't leave it sitting in the hamper. Hang it up or wash it as soon as you can. 

Tip 2: Pretreat summer stains

When you're busy making the most of summer, a grass stain from the park or barbecue sauce on your favorite T-shirt should be the last thing on your mind. Just rely on these pro laundry tips for hot weather. 

If you spot a stain, simply:

• Blot away any excess residue instead of rubbing it deeper into the fabric.

• Rinse with cool water as soon as possible.

• Apply a stain remover like Mozi Stain Treater directly to the stain.

• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before washing.

• Check that the stain is gone before putting the item in the washer. 

Tip 3: Prevent sunscreen from ruining your clothes

Sunscreen stains can be frustrating because they don't always show up right away. You wash your clothes, pull them out of the machine, and suddenly there are orange or rust-colored marks that weren't there before. 

That's because avobenzone (a common UV filter used in sunscreens) reacts with the iron in the water during the wash. The result? A nasty yellowish-orange stain that just won’t budge. 

If you do get sunscreen on clothes in summer, don’t worry. Follow these steps from our summer laundry guide:

• Scrape off the excess product as soon as you notice it.

• Blot the area with a clean cloth.

• Spray an enzyme-based stain remover like the Mozi Stain Treater.

• Let it sit and gently rub if needed.

• Wash as usual.

Need more help? Read Mozi Wash’s complete guide on how to remove sunscreen stains, including the best stain removal methods for different fabric types. 

Tip 4: Keep summer whites bright, all season

White T-shirts usually don't stay white for long in summer. A few weeks of heat, sweat, and deodorant are enough to leave yellow marks around the collar and underarms. One of the easiest laundry tips for hot weather is treating those stains early instead of waiting until they've set.

• Soak stained shirts in cool water for about 30 minutes.

• Apply an enzyme-based stain treatment that can target proteins and oils.

• Let it sit before you start washing.

If you still find a shade of yellow marks around the collar and underarms, repeat the treatment.

Tip 5: Care for your summer linens properly

Linen shirts, breezy dresses, and relaxed pants are summer staples for a reason. They are light, breathable, and cool - in short, just best for hot and humid summer days. 

But how do you keep this hardwearing fabric soft all summer? Just learn how to wash summer clothes made with linen the right way:

• Unbutton linen clothes and turn them inside out.

• Use a gentle detergent like Mozi Wash.

• Stay away from chlorine bleaches and fabric softeners.

• Select a delicate cycle and cool wash (or wash by hand if that’s what the care label says).

Mozi Wash's plant-based formula is gentle on natural fibers like linen. It's free from harsh chemicals like phosphates and parabens, so your favorite summer pieces get a thorough clean without unnecessary wear. And with light, summery scents like Sugar Dew and Central Coast, every load smells just as fresh as it feels. 

Tip 6: Give your swimwear a little extra care

A good swimsuit goes through a lot in summer. Saltwater, chlorine, sunscreen, and sand can all wear down the fabric if they're left to sit too long. A quick rinse after every swim helps keep your swimwear looking and feeling its best.

• Rinse your swimsuit with cool water as soon as you can after swimming.

• Shake out any sand before washing to keep it out of your machine.

• Wash on a delicate cycle at 86F or hand-wash if the care label recommends it.

• Lay flat or hang to air-dry. Skip the dryer to help preserve the fabric's stretch.

Your summer laundry guide cheat sheet

Don’t think you’ll remember everything? Here’s an easy cheat sheet you can bookmark for later: 

Enjoy summers with a little less laundry drama

Summer laundry doesn't have to be complicated. With the right routine and a few smart habits, you can keep your favorite clothes looking and feeling their best all season. 

Just follow the Mozi Wash summer laundry guide to tackle stains, care for delicate fabrics, and enjoy fresh, clean laundry from the first heatwave to the last. 

Summer Laundry Guide FAQs

1. How often should you wash clothes in summer?

Clothes usually need washing more often during summer because heat, sweat, sunscreen, and body oils build up faster. Everyday items like T-shirts, workout clothes, and swimwear should be washed after each wear, while lightweight outer layers can often be worn a few times if they stay clean. 

2. Can you wash swimsuits in the washing machine?

Yes, most swimsuits can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle with cool water, but always check the care label first. Rinse your swimsuit after every swim to remove chlorine, salt, and sunscreen, then air-dry it to help preserve its shape and stretch.

3. Should sweaty clothes be washed in hot or cold water?

Cold water is usually the better choice for sweaty clothes. It helps prevent stains from setting, is gentler on fabrics, and works well with modern detergents. If odors linger, use an enzyme-based detergent or stain remover before washing.

4. How can I keep my summer clothes fresh during humid weather?

Follow these summer laundry tips:

• Don't let damp clothes sit in the laundry hamper, as moisture can lead to musty odors. 

• Wash sweaty clothes promptly.

• Dry them completely before storing.

• Use a quality detergent that removes sweat and odor-causing residue instead of simply masking smells. 

5. Can sunscreen stains become permanent?

Yes, sunscreen stains can become permanent if they’re exposed to heat (dryer) or they oxidize over time (if left untreated). They may also set if they are treated incorrectly with bleach. 

6. How to remove sunscreen from clothes naturally?

To remove sunscreen from clothes naturally, first blot the stain. Then, you may add a natural grease-fighting dish soap or baking soda mixed with white vinegar to the spot. Gently rub it, let it sit for 15 minutes, and rinse it out with water before washing normally.