How to remove tar stains from your swimsuit

Tar stains on swimsuits (usually made of Lycra/spandex) can be removed, but it takes a little patience because tar is oily and very sticky.

The first thing to do, if the stain is fresh, is to avoid rubbing: you risk letting it penetrate the fibers.

At this point, soften the tar that is staining the costume by applying a greasy product to dissolve it, such as:

• vegetable oil (olive or seed)
• baby oil
• butter or Vaseline

Let it act for 10–15 minutes.

Then gently remove the stain, using a tissue or absorbent paper, or even an old credit card. Then you can wash with dish soap, always excellent against tar, or with Marseille soapAfter this first wash, rub gently with your fingers. Finally, soak the swimsuit in warm water and wash it as usual (preferably by hand or on the delicate cycle).

If the stain is very old or resistant, you can use, with extreme caution, isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab (test on a hidden area first), or a stain remover for delicate fabrics

Another option is to use glycerin, which you pour directly onto the stain. Then, scrub well and gently with an old toothbrush to work the glycerin, which has emollient properties, into the fibers and remove the tar. Then, scrub with a bar of Marseille soap, and then wash it as follows: take two basins, the first containing warm water and two tablespoons of baking soda. Let the swimsuit soak for 30 minutes, then scrub it with a bar of Marseille soap, concentrating on the remaining stains.
Once the wash is finished, you can give the swimsuit a final rinse by placing it in the other basin containing water and white vinegar (3 tablespoons of vinegar for every liter of water).