When people think about sunscreen, they usually think about protecting their skin from harmful UV radiation. As the owner or manager of a holiday rental with a swimming pool or hot tub, however, you witness another side of the story—one that is rarely discussed.
This article is not an argument against protecting your skin. Sun protection is essential. Rather, it is an invitation to think more broadly about how we protect ourselves and what unintended consequences our choices may have for the environment.
The Yellow Stains Every Host Knows
If you’ve ever stayed in a holiday home with a private pool or jacuzzi, you probably never noticed what happens after you leave.
Hosts do.
Modern sunscreens contain combinations of UV filters, oils, silicones and other ingredients designed to remain on the skin—even after swimming. Unfortunately, many of these ingredients don’t simply disappear into the water.
Instead, they leave behind:
- yellow or brown stains on pool waterlines;
- greasy deposits inside hot tubs and spa jets;
- clogged pool and spa filters coated with yellow residue;
- stains on towels, pillowcases and bed linens;
- discolouration that often becomes permanent after washing.
For accommodation providers, these are not occasional problems—they are part of the daily routine during the summer season.
Cleaning Has an Environmental Cost
Removing sunscreen residue is surprisingly resource-intensive.
A heavily contaminated pool or hot tub often requires:
- repeated cleaning with specialised chemicals;
- additional filter cleaning or replacement;
- partial or complete water replacement;
- longer pump operating times;
- more electricity for filtration systems.
The same applies to laundry.
Many sunscreen stains cannot be removed even after repeated washing at high temperatures using strong detergents and bleaching agents. In many cases, towels and bedding that have been used only a handful of times are simply discarded because they no longer meet the standards expected by guests.
The environmental impact extends far beyond a single load of laundry.
It includes:
- thousands of litres of additional water,
- increased electricity consumption,
- more chemical detergents entering wastewater,
- shorter lifespan of textiles,
- additional manufacturing and transport of replacement towels and bedding,
- increased landfill waste.
Very few people think about this hidden environmental footprint when applying sunscreen before spending the day by the pool.
The Cost No One Calculates
Imagine multiplying this by millions of holiday properties around the world.
Every summer:
- millions of towels are washed repeatedly;
- thousands of swimming pools require extra maintenance;
- countless filters are replaced earlier than necessary;
- enormous quantities of cleaning chemicals are used;
- textiles with years of potential life remaining are thrown away.
To our knowledge, there are currently no comprehensive studies calculating the global environmental cost of sunscreen-related cleaning in hospitality.
Such research would be fascinating.
If someone were to include:
- water consumption,
- electricity,
- detergents,
- replacement textiles,
- labour,
- waste disposal,
the total environmental and economic cost might be far greater than most people imagine.
Is More Sunscreen Always Better?
Public health authorities rightly encourage protection against excessive UV exposure, especially to reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
However, sunscreen should not be viewed as the only line of defence.
Many dermatology organisations recommend a layered approach that includes:
- seeking shade,
- avoiding direct sun during peak UV hours,
- wearing hats,
- using UV-protective clothing,
- wearing sunglasses,
- and using sunscreen on exposed skin.
In many Mediterranean destinations, locals have long followed a simple routine: enjoy the morning sun, take a break indoors during the hottest part of the day (typically between 12:00 and 4:00 pm, depending on the UV index), then return outdoors later in the afternoon.
This approach not only reduces UV exposure but also decreases the amount of sunscreen that needs to be applied throughout the day.
A Balanced Perspective
Some sunscreen ingredients have also attracted scientific attention because of potential environmental impacts on marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, although the evidence is still evolving and regulations vary by country.
Similarly, research into the long-term health effects of certain UV filters continues, with some ingredients being restricted or reassessed in different jurisdictions.
These ongoing discussions highlight an important point:
The goal should not be choosing between sunscreen and sun exposure. The goal should be smarter sun protection.
Small Changes Can Make a Difference
As holiday accommodation hosts, we appreciate guests who care about the environment.
Simple habits can help:
- Allow sunscreen to absorb into the skin before entering the pool.
- Shower briefly before using a jacuzzi or spa.
- Avoid sitting or lying on white towels immediately after applying sunscreen.
- Wear UV-protective clothing when possible.
- Plan outdoor activities outside the strongest midday sun.
None of these measures eliminate the need for sunscreen, but together they can significantly reduce unnecessary pollution, excessive cleaning and textile waste.
Looking Beyond the Beach
Environmental sustainability is often discussed in terms of plastic bottles, recycling or reducing air travel.
Perhaps it’s time to consider another overlooked source of waste.
Every yellow towel, stained pillowcase and chemically cleaned pool tells a small story about hidden environmental costs that few visitors ever see.
By combining sensible sun behaviour with responsible sunscreen use, we can protect both our health and the places we enjoy visiting.
