How to Remove Competition Tan from Board Shorts
How to Remove Competition Tan from Board Shorts
Competition tan is one of the most effective tools in Men's Physique — and one of the most damaging things that can happen to a pair of board shorts if you don't treat it correctly after the show. Spray tan and self-tanning bronzers contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which reacts with fab...
Here is the exact process for getting tan out of competition board shorts — and how to prevent the problem next time.
Why speed matters: how tan sets in fabric
DHA — the active ingredient in most spray tans — begins reacting with proteins in the fabric as soon as contact is made. In the first few hours, this reaction is still relatively shallow in the fibre. After 12+ hours, especially if the fabric has dried out and re-wetted with swea...
This is why rinsing immediately after competition — even if a full wash isn't possible — makes a significant difference to the outcome.
Tan removal process: fresh staining (same day)
Cold rinse immediately
As soon as the competition is over, rinse the shorts thoroughly under cold running water. Hold the fabric under the water and work the water through it — cold water lifts DHA-based tan before it sets. Do not use hot water; heat accelerates the setting reaction.
Check for visible staining
After rinsing, inspect the waistband area and the main body of the shorts. The inner waistband typically receives the most tan transfer. If you can see remaining colour, proceed to soak.
Soak in cold water and mild detergent
Fill a basin with cold water and add a small amount of mild, enzyme-free detergent. Submerge the shorts and work the detergent into the stained area gently — no scrubbing. Leave to soak for 20–30 minutes.
Wash normally
After soaking, wash as normal: cold water, gentle cycle, inside out. Most fresh tan staining will be fully removed by this point.
Air dry and inspect
Air dry and inspect before storing. If any discolouration remains, treat it while still damp — it is much harder to remove once dry.
Stubborn or set-in tan staining
If the tan has been in the fabric for more than 12 hours, or if a normal wash didn't fully remove it, try this:
White vinegar soak
Mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts cold water. Apply directly to the stained area and work in gently with your fingers. Leave for 10–15 minutes. The mild acidity of white vinegar breaks down DHA-based residue without damaging performance fabric.
Rinse and re-soak in detergent
Rinse the vinegar solution thoroughly in cold water, then soak again in cold water and mild detergent for 30 minutes.
Wash and inspect again
Wash normally, air dry, and inspect. Multiple treatments may be necessary for heavily set staining.
Bleach — sets the stain permanently and destroys fabric colour. Hot water — accelerates DHA bonding in the fibre. Vigorous scrubbing — pushes the stain deeper and can damage the fabric surface. Acetone or nail polish remover — dissolves synthetic fabric fibres.
How to prevent tan staining in the first place
The best approach is to minimise tan transfer at the source. Put your competition shorts on after your tan has fully developed and dried (usually at least 4–6 hours after application). The more fully set the tan is on your skin before contact with fabric, the less transfer occurs.
- Let tan fully develop before putting on shorts. Most competition tans require 4–8 hours to fully set on the skin. Putting shorts on over wet or developing tan guarantees heavy transfer.
- Use a tan barrier on the waistband area. Some competitors apply a thin layer of body butter or petroleum jelly along the waistband line to reduce direct tan-to-fabric contact. Test this before show day — it can affect how the waistband sits.
- Rinse immediately after the show. Even a cold rinse in the venue showers immediately after competing dramatically reduces how much tan sets into the fabric overnight.
- Keep a dedicated competition pair. Tan residue builds up over time. A pair worn only for competitions and washed correctly after each use will stay cleaner longer than one used for training.
Professional dry cleaning is generally not recommended for performance sports fabrics — the solvents used can damage the fabric's technical properties and cause colour fading. Cold water washing at home with the process above is both safer and more effective for tan removal.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get competition tan out of board shorts?
Rinse cold immediately. Soak in mild detergent and cold water. For stubborn staining, diluted white vinegar (1:4 with cold water) applied for 10–15 minutes before a normal cold wash. Never use hot water or bleach.
Does spray tan permanently stain board shorts?
Not if treated promptly. Tan rinsed within a few hours rarely causes permanent staining. Tan left overnight in unwashed fabric is much harder to remove and may leave lasting discolouration.
Can I use stain remover on competition board shorts?
Some are safe; others contain bleaching agents that will damage the fabric. Test on an inner seam first. Diluted white vinegar and mild detergent are the safest and most effective options.
What is the best way to prevent tan staining?
Put shorts on after your tan has fully developed and dried — not over wet or developing tan. Rinse the shorts immediately after the competition, before the tan sets overnight.
Fabric Built to Handle the Stage.
ALITE WEAR competition shorts are made from performance fabric that resists tan penetration and holds shape through repeated competition use and correct washing.
Shop Board Shorts Full Wash Guide