Although some people would have us believe otherwise, a safe or healthy tan only comes from a bottle.

Even if your skin doesn’t get sunburned, it may be damaged if it turns a darker color than it naturally is after being exposed to the sun.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation: “Although tanning is often associated with good health, it is the exact opposite of health. It is evidence of DNA damage to your skin. Tanning damages your skin cells and accelerates visible signs of aging. And worst of all, tanning can lead to skin cancer.”

With that in mind, it’s no wonder so many of us prefer to pretend we’re laying out in the sun. And while the products on the market are better than ever at providing flawless coverage, they can still leave annoying stains on clothes and sheets.

On TikTok, the topic of “brown stains on sheets” has generated more than 49.7 million posts, with many people sharing how they remove the product from their bedding. Luckily, furniture brand Wayfair spoke to cleaning expert Ann Russell, who has 2.6 million followers on TikTok, to get her take on the problem.

She said: “I find that oxygen bleach in any form works wonderfully. Also, if you have white bedding, a dose of Ariel, a pre-wash spray with Ace Green or peroxide and a long cotton wash cycle at 60°C will get your bedding sparkling white again.”

Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean, recommends spraying all bedding with white vinegar before washing to remove fake tan. She also recommends using the pre-wash cycle on heavily soiled garments.

On TikTok, people have also been sharing tricks to prevent bedsheets from getting stained. Vicky Gilchrist revealed that she sleeps in an old duvet cover to stop her tan getting everywhere.

While many people were impressed, others were adamant they wouldn’t be able to cope with it. One user replied: “No, because I’d wake up doubled over and panicking!” Someone else wrote: “I’d forget and probably break my neck on the toilet in the middle of the night.”

Others suggested using talcum powder to prevent the tan from transferring to the sheets. In one comment, someone wrote, “Just let it dry for about an hour and then apply talcum powder.” And many other people agreed. According to tanning experts, a light application of talcum powder to areas like the armpits, inner elbows, and the backs of the knees can prevent sweat from interfering with the activation of the tan.