I’m a professional cleaner, and these are 3 vital housekeeping tasks you should do regularly if you fake tan before bed

If you love a summer glow all year-round and live and die by your fake tan schedule, these are the three vital housekeeping tasks you should be doing regularly.

I’m a professional cleaner and instead of battling to remove stubborn orange stains from your linens and bedding after the fact, use waterproof liners, designate tanning sheets, and take special precautions when doing your laundry.

3 things to do regularly if you fake tan before bed

1. Line your mattress with a waterproof protector

Let’s start with the most obvious vital task: Line your mattress with a waterproof protector.

Sheets won’t stop a spill from seeping all the way through, but using one of the best mattress protectors creates a safe barrier between your tan and the often-costly mattress.

It’s a small step to keeping your best mattress looking brand new and free from stains, streaks, and everything in between.

2. Use designated tan sheets and pillowcases

I personally keep one set of dark brown or navy sheets tucked away just for tanning nights. I also use them when I apply at-home hair dye.

It saves my best bed sheets and pillowcases from getting ruined, and the darker fabric doesn’t hold onto stains the same way lighter ones do.

They're easy to toss in the wash and less likely to show bronzer buildup.

3. Rinse sheets with cold water before washing

Washing bed sheets in hot water, where fake tan stains are concerned, is an invitation for the unwanted marks to settle in for good. Once DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the main active ingredient in many tanning products, oxidizes, heat will lock it in.

Using the quick cold rinse cycle buys you time and makes your stain remover work harder.

Just make sure you know how to make sense of laundry symbols, and the functions on your washer, including the pre-rinse cycle.

BONUS TIP: Keep makeup remover wipes by your bedside. Having a pack within arm’s reach means you can quickly spot-clean areas like your palms, ankles, or elbows if you realize you’ve over-applied or accidentally touched something you shouldn’t have mid-application.

The goal is to catch the mess before it drips or dries, because once fake tan sets, it takes way more effort to lift. A few quick swipes can prevent long-term stains and reduce the need to clean upholstery, too.

Homes & Gardens recommends Cetaphil’s gentle makeup removing wipes, available at Amazon for rapid delivery.

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Setting up a stain station can help quickly clean up spills before they set, be it clearing fake tan or getting hair dye off the carpet, your upholstery, or clothing.