Breaking out the beach bag and packing up for the shore fills us with the anticipation of inhaling fresh air, soaking in sun (with sun protection, of course), wearing a great new suit that fits you just right. You can keep that summer fresh feeling alive in your clothes, too, with these tips from the Tide® Fabric Care Network.

Packing smart & stylishly

Remember those monogrammed canvas tote bags your mom used when you were a kid? This summer, those classic bags (with and without monograms) are back in a big way, with lots of colors to choose from. Best of all, they're roomy enough to pack all you'll need for a day in the sun—a towel, cover-up, book, mp3 player, sunscreen, and of course, Tide To Go®. (After all, you never know when your iced coffee may drip or ketchup may slip.)

Cleaning canvas totes

Because canvas tote bags are typically made of heavy cotton, they can be cleaned easily. To spot treat fresh food and drink stains, use Tide To Go®. If your bag is all-over dirty, use your favorite Tide liquid laundry detergent (such as Tide® Liquid) and a medium brush to scrub clean the canvas. Rinse thoroughly in the sink or shower, and set the bag out to dry. For best results, always follow the care instructions on your bag.

Bidding farewell to sunscreen stains

Carry sunscreens and lotions in a plastic bag within your tote to prevent SPF from rubbing on your towel or swimsuit. Although sunscreen inevitably surfs its way onto clothes and towels as you're applying, removing it can be as simple as pulling on flip flops.

Here are a few tips for removing sunscreen from most fabrics:

• Pretreat the fabric and wash with Tide Liquid. 
• If sunscreen appears on a swimsuit, hand wash in cool water with Ivory Snow and rinse thoroughly.

Caring for swimsuits

Follow these guidelines to help get the most out of your swimwear:

 

•  Hand wash in cool water with Ivory Snow, and rinse thoroughly to remove all salt water, chlorine, sand, or dirt.
• Roll in a dry towel to absorb excess moisture.
• Dry flat or hang evenly to drip dry, out of the sun.
• For optimal results, always follow the fabric care label instructions.

Refreshing your beach towels

Sand between your toes and a cool mist on your face refresh and relax. After a day or two on the beach, however, your towel has soaked up its share of sand and suncscreen.

To refresh your towels, wash them with Tide with Febreze™ Freshness. It's specially formulated to help remove odors that get trapped in fabrics. The "freshness actives" in the detergent slowly release perfume over time, giving a burst of Febreze freshness that lasts for weeks. For additional softness and freshness, add a Bounce® sheet to the dryer.

With these tips from the Tide Fabric Care Network, you can come back from the beach revitalized—and with refreshed fabrics you can show off on your next vacation.