Sunscreen leaks inside a dry bag because the seal that keeps water out also keeps a spill in. Wipe it up fast with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, rinse, and dry the bag fully open. Next time, close the cap, put it in its own zip bag, and pack it upright.
A dry bag keeps the river out. It does nothing about the thing inside it that decided to open itself. Sunscreen is the usual offender, followed by chapstick, hand lotion, and anything with a pump.
On a normal paddle my bag holds a phone, car keys, a credit card, a piece of gum, chapstick, and my glasses. That is a short list and half of it is waxy or sticky. (I am a redhead who burns easily, so sunscreen goes everywhere with me, and a hat and long sleeves do the rest.)
Why does sunscreen leak inside a dry bag?
A tube gets squeezed. Maybe a roll of the bag pressed on it, maybe the cap was not fully clicked, maybe it was warm. In a regular bag, a small leak spreads out and dries into the lining. In a roll-top that closes well, the bag is a sealed space, so the sunscreen has nowhere to go but onto your keys, your phone case, and the inside of the bag. "Waterproof, not rated for submersion" still means a closed space, and a spill in a closed space stays put.
How do you clean sunscreen out of a dry bag?
Quickly, and gently. Take everything out and wipe off what you can with a paper towel. Then use a damp cloth with a little mild soap, wipe the inside, and rinse. Dry the bag fully open before you close it again. Rolling it up with a film of sunscreen inside keeps it sticky and keeps it smelling, which leads to the problem in our smell post.
Skip harsh solvents. We cover why in the sticky bag post. The care basics are in the care post.
How do you pack sunscreen so it does not leak?
Four habits, none of them clever. Click the cap shut and check it. Put the tube in its own small zip bag, so a leak stays in the zip bag. Pack it upright, not on its side under the roll. And do not fill the bag so full that the roll presses on it.
A zip bag in a dry bag is a very small redundancy, and it is the cheapest one you will ever buy.
Give the messy stuff its own bag
A 2L that holds only the sunscreen, chapstick, and lip balm keeps the rest of your gear clean. The 2L collection is the size for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did sunscreen leak in my dry bag?
A tube was probably squeezed by the roll, left with the cap not fully shut, or warmed up. A closed bag keeps a spill inside, so it spreads onto everything else in there.
How do I clean sunscreen out of a dry bag?
Take everything out, wipe up what you can, then use a damp cloth with a little mild soap on the inside. Rinse and dry the bag fully open before closing it. Skip harsh solvents.
Is it safe to put sunscreen in a dry bag?
Yes, with precautions. Close the cap, put it in its own small zip bag, pack it upright, and do not overpack the bag so the roll presses on it.
Can sunscreen damage a dry bag?
It can leave a sticky film and a smell if it is left to dry inside. Clean a spill soon, rinse it, and dry the bag open.
Should wet or messy items go in the same dry bag as my phone?
No. Keep sunscreen, chapstick, and anything that can leak in a separate small bag so your phone, keys, and card stay clean.