It’s possible to remove foundation, lipstick, and mascara stains from your clothing using a home machine. You’re in the right place! Here are three easy steps to remove stubborn makeup stains from your favorite clothing.
We all know that everything that doesn’t belong on our clothes at some point gets on our clothes, and that’s why it’s such a good idea to know how to remove stains.
There is something particularly frustrating about makeup stains. If you want to look good, then you need to be aware of the difference between a makeup product that is meant for your face and one that is designed for your hair. But you might accidentally brush your face against your shirt when pulling it over your head, get foundation on your collar over the course of the day, or drop your mascara when you’re applying it.
You might even accidentally get makeup on someone else’s clothes when you go in for a hug or a kiss. (Oh! That’s awful.) But, if you know how to remove makeup from clothes, those stains will disappear before you know it.
“In general, most makeup stains can be removed by acting as fast as possible and using a high-quality detergent,” says Jennifer Ahoni, senior scientist at Tide. “That being said, different compositions and ingredients of different makeup may add in unique challenges.” For example, waterproof mascara might require a different type of stain remover than liquid foundation or a powder blush, which may be treated differently than a moisturizing balm.
You might think lipstick is easy, but it’s a tough one. Just be sure to stay in the pink area on the color wheel to find your best shade. This is what you need to know about how to remove different types of makeup from your clothes.
If you are working with nail polish that comes in a tube, such as OPI, then simply hold it upside down and tap the bottle with a spoon or other small object. You can even use a paper towel to gently shake the bottle. If you don’t have the right tools, try using the end of a toothbrush instead.
Table of Contents
How to get foundation out of clothes
Liquid foundation
Although there are various types of foundation, most have a base that binds lots of colored pigments, explains Ahoni. “The key difference in treating liquid versus powder foundation is in the initial removal of any excess on the surface.
What you’ll need
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Dish soap
- Paper towel or clean cloth
- Water
Step-by-step directions
- Once you have the fabric wrinkle free, remove any excess liquid by gently patting the surface of the fabric with a clean, dry cloth.
- Wash your garment and blot the stain, then rinse the garment in warm water. Don’t rub the stain.
- Apply liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain. It should remove most stains, but some require a deep clean using a more powerful stain remover.
- Wipe the stains away with a clean cloth or paper towel. Use plenty of warm water and a clean, lukewarm mixture of water and detergent.
- While liquid foundation stains can look similar to grease stains, in actuality they’re different because of the makeup’s oily base.
- For this reason, dish soap can also be used to try to remove the stain.
- Put a little dish soap on the stain, rub it in with your fingers, and leave it alone for at least 20 minutes.
- Rinse the items using cold water to help remove any residue, and then use a sponge to rub away the stain and excess detergent. If you don’t want to rub it out completely, rinse the fabric using cold water and then let it dry.
- Put a small amount of shampoo in your hands and gently rub your hair between your hands to create suds. When your lather gets foamy, rinse well.
- If the stain remains after using this product, you need to repeat steps 3–5, then let the item dry.
The best methods work well on all fabrics, from cotton to poly-blends to nylons and synthetics. If your stain is on a fabric like silk or wool, it’s best to take the garment to the dry cleaner. You should hire professionals to handle your stain removal.
Powder foundation
Because powder foundation contains loose particles, it’s important to take extra care when you remove any excess from the fabric’s surface. To ensure you don’t accidentally embed the stain or spread the powder, be sure to use the brush side of the sponge to apply the product.
What you’ll need
- Clean cloth or paper towel
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Water
Step-by-step directions
- Now, you should gently lift the foundation with your fingers, then shake it off, being careful not to push it into the fabric fibers.
- Use hot water and the highest setting to remove the stain. A higher water pressure should make it easier to remove the stain.
- After the excess has been removed, you’ll use the same general washing guidelines that you would for liquid foundation.
- Use a laundry detergent that is specially formulated for removing tough stains. If the fabric needs to be dry cleaned, ask your dry cleaner to use a stain release or permanent press finish.
- Gently apply the cleaning solution using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- You should place the garment into the washer without rinsing off the detergent, and place the washer and the other items into the wash cycle. You should use the cycle recommended on the care label.
- If the stain remains, rinse it off and then repeat the steps to remove any extra water and detergent. Then, dry it.
Since warm water won’t work for removing all types of stains, it’s best to use cool or cold water for your DIY stain removal projects. To remove stains from fabric, first it’s important to figure out what type of stain you’re dealing with, then it’s important to know what to do to remove it before you start.
How to get lipstick out of clothes
Lipstick is one of the most difficult types of makeup to get off of your skin.
Why? Because these beauty products are usually oil-based. “Lipstick is similar to a solid grease that acts like a glue to bind lots of colored pigments together,” explains Ahoni. “These pigments are especially attracted to synthetic fibers.” (Incidentally, this is something you’ll also want to keep in mind when trying to get actual oil stains out of your clothes.) The key to treating lipstick stains is to act fast, but even if your stain has had some time to set, you’re not out of luck.
These steps work for ChapStick or other lip balm. They can be used for a variety of different types of objects as well.
What you’ll need
- Clean cloth
- Dish soap
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Spoon or butter knife
- Stain remover
- Water
Step-by-step directions
- Don’t blot or rub away the stain with a towel. Just gently lift it up and let it drop back into the container or container. That way it won’t transfer back onto your shirt.
- For heavy lipstick stains, first, place the garment in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Then, wipe the freezer-damaged area down with cold water and let it dry on its own. Scrape up any frozen food pieces as well.It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the Marvel movies.
- Next, apply dish soap to a damp cloth, and work the back of the stain with it.
- Make sure to use a clean part of the cloth each time you dab so you don’t accidentally transfer lip balm back onto your face.
- Rinsing the area will help the stain dilute so you’ll have less to remove. It is true that I am having some difficulties understanding your sentences.
- Pre-treat with a liquid dishwashing detergent. Pour enough detergent on the item to cover the stain, gently work the detergent into the stain with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and let it remain on the item for 20 minutes.
- Wash your clothes without rinsing the detergent, and use the highest recommended temperature on the care label.
- If the stain remains, repeat steps 3–6 before drying.
- You don’t need to use a fabric softener or dryer sheets as a pre-treatment when washing your clothes, but using them after washing the items is a good idea.
How to get mascara and eyeliner out of clothes
Since mascaras are formulated from oils, waxes, and dyes, you’ll need to start by cleaning the area with detergent. Most mascaras are dark, so it’s important to treat them right away and avoid spreading the stain.
For waterproof makeup stains you can even try using an oil-free makeup remover. This will remove all traces of makeup without leaving any sticky residue behind. You can also take the liquid out of clothes. Otherwise, take these directions from Ahoni to get mascara and eyeliner out of clothes.
What you’ll need
- Clean cloth
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Makeup remover
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Stain remover
- Water
Step-by-step directions
Wash your stains with liquid laundry detergent that will break them down. Then add enzymes to the mix, which are added to break down and remove stubborn stains from fabrics.
If you put enough soap in the wash, the stain should disappear. You should allow the stain to set for 20 minutes, then scrub the area thoroughly with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Soak the stained area in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Let sit for five minutes before washing. Machine-wash on the warmest setting recommended on the care label.
If the stain remains, repeat these steps again before drying.
General tips for removing makeup stains from clothes
No matter what kind of makeup you’re trying to get out or what type of fabric you want to remove it from, you have to act fast.
Sure, there are times when you just have to deal with it—that’s when the magic wand comes in handy.
If the stain is in your clothes, the stain is going to run right through them. So, if you’re going out for the evening or on a trip, you’ll want these DIY methods to tide you over until you get home.
“Next, blot the stained area with a clean, dry paper towel to remove any excess hairspray. Repeat the steps as necessary.
Another option is to quickly scrape off the top layer of the product from your fabric using a spoon or, preferably, a plastic knife. Then, take an ice cube, press it onto the stain, and rub it in a circular motion.
Rub gently over the stained area. Leave the makeup on the stain for 15 to 30 minutes, and then blot and wipe it away with a damp paper towel. Continue until the stain is gone.
Tide to Go pen is great for spots, spills and stains. You’ll never have to wait around for a stain to dry. Use it for stains and spills when you’re on-the-go.
Use this book to learn how to use the most effective stain removers.
We have tips for the other types of stains you want to eliminate, too. From wine, to lipstick, to grease stains, to coffee, and more, it’s all covered.
Make a list of the products in your bathroom that have been damaged or are just plain dirty. When you’re done cleaning them, check out our guide to how to remove ink stains and superglue.