As tricky as the situation might seem, you can use homemade solutions to easily remove the makeup stains from your clothes. There are options such as makeup wipes, rubbing alcohol, shaving cream, dish soap, and the list goes on.
You can also go for commercial stain removers. And for instant stain removal solutions in public, there’s always the classic liquid soap and water method.
We’ve all been there when not knowing what to do to get off that damn makeup stain seemed like a huge drag.
So, keep scrolling to get expert ideas and tips to remove makeup stains from your favorite clothes, and never feel like that again.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Makeup stains are tough to remove as they come with high pigmentation and oil-based ingredients.
✅ Using a makeup wipe, alcohol, shaving cream, a blow dryer, hairspray, ice cubes, detergent pens, and wipes is effective in removing makeup stains.
✅ For delicate fabrics, it’s wiser to choose a perm press or gentle cycle. But for sturdier fabrics, a normal cycle with hot water is enough.
Removing Makeup Stains from Clothing
So, here are some ways you can follow to remove makeup stains from clothing next time:
1. Makeup Wipe
When you’ve got some fresh but light stains on your clothes, wipe them quickly with a makeup wipe.
It’s better to use a makeup wipe not because it’s super convenient but because it’s also good at stain removal without using any water.
2. Micellar Water
Using micellar water is not only beneficial when removing makeup from your face but also from your clothes.
Use a cotton ball to soak it up in micellar water, dab the soaked cotton ball onto the stain, and you’re done. It’s the quickest way to remove instant stains from your clothes.
3. Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a great trick for oil-based makeup stains.
Yes, I’m talking about mascara or lipstick stains. All you have to do is apply a bit of alcohol to a piece of cloth and dab the stain, just like you do with micellar water.
Soft Reminder:
Don’t go for rough scrubbing, as that can make the stain spread.
4. Shaving Cream
Yes, you’ve heard it right. Shaving cream is an effective stain remover, especially for something like concealer or foundation.
Just put a thin layer of shaving cream on the stain and let it sit there for 10–15 minutes. Then, rinse it with cool water, and the stain should be gone.
5. Blow Drying
If you’ve got any dried eyeliner or mascara on your dress, a blow dryer can help loosen it.
All you have to do is get it started, hold it at a safer distance, and blow out the stain. After that, simply brush off the loosened particles. But don’t brush off the loosened stain aggressively, rather apply a gentle force.
6. Hairspray
When your clean white cloth is stuck with stubborn stains, try to remove them with a non-aerosol hairspray. Just spray a bit on the stain, use a clean cloth to blot, and wash it up.
Pro Tip:
Make sure the hairspray doesn’t have any discoloration agents or ingredients within.
7. Ice Cubes
When you want to remove lipstick stains from your dress, ice cubes are great at breaking the oils within lipsticks.
Once you gently rub the makeup stain with ice cubes, feel free to use your preferred cleaning method.
8. Dish Soap and Water
This old and classic solution is still relevant for water-based makeup, some oil-free makeup, and light stains.
First, get some dishwashing liquid or liquid laundry detergent and rub it on the stain. Once you’re done with the rubbing, rinse it with cold water until the stain comes off.
9. Detergent Pens and Detergent Wipes
When you want to remove the stain quickly, these two pre-treating options can be really helpful. Simply apply them directly to the stain and wash it in cool water to remove the stain.
Don’t forget to check the product’s instructions before you treat the stain with it.
You can also remove makeup stains from bedding by applying similar tips and tricks.
How to Remove Specific Makeup Stains?
Well, it depends a lot on the type of makeup as well. In fact, using the wrong technique can set the stain on your clothes forever.
So, here are a few techniques you can try when it comes to removing specific types of stains:
So, here are a few techniques you can try when it comes to removing the following stains:
How to Get Nail Polish Out of Clothes?
- Step 1: Scraping: Get a spoon or dull knife first to remove excess polish by scraping it. But make sure you’re not damaging the fabric.
- Step 2: Applying Acetone: Take a cotton ball and soak it in acetone. This usually works as a nail polish remover. Now dab the stain, but don’t scrub, as that can spread it. But if the fabric is delicate, use a non-acetone makeup remover.
- Step 3: Rinsing: Now rinse the cloth with cold water.
How to Get Lipstick Out of Clothes?
- Step 1: Blot the Stain: Grab a clean cloth or paper towel and remove the excess lipstick first.
- Step 2: Using an Oil-Based Remover: Put some oil-based makeup remover on the stain. Afterward, use a soft brush and gently rub the fabric with it.
- Step 3: Using Alcohol: If it’s a tough stain to remove, put some alcohol on a cotton ball and rub it there. Once you’re done, rinse it with cool water.
How to Get Mascara Out of Clothes?
- Step 1: Scraping: When the mascara is completely dry, scrape it off if there are any excess flakes. You can use a spoon or a dull knife for the job.
- Step 2: Use Dish Soap: Put dish soap on the stain in small amounts. You can use laundry detergent as well. Use your finger or a soft brush to work the stain.
- Step 3: Rub Alcohol: If the stain is still visible, use cotton balls and a bit of alcohol to clean it. Now rinse it with cool water.
How to Get Foundation Out of Clothes?
- Step 1: Blot the Excess Foundation: Take a clean cloth and blot the excess foundation, if there’s any.
- Step 2: Use Laundry Detergent: Pick a gentle laundry detergent and apply it to the stain. If you don’t have any laundry detergent at that moment, you can use a dish soap solution.
- Step 3: Use Pre-Wash Treatment: You can use a pre-wash stain remover for stubborn stains.
How to Get Eyeliner Out of Clothes?
- Step 1: Blot the Stain: Grab a clean cloth and blot the eyeliner stains gently. Then use some laundry detergent or dish soap on the stain.
- Step 2: Use Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover: Check if the stains are on the go. If not, use an oil-free eye makeup remover. Then wash it as per the fabric’s care instructions.
How to Remove Makeup Stains in Public
Accidentally got some makeup stains on your shirt in public? Don’t worry, there’s an instant remedy for it. Follow the steps below, and you will be all good to go:
Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Grab a clean napkin or tissue and absorb the excess makeup immediately by blotting.
- Step 2: Dampen a tissue/cloth with water and soap (if there’s any nearby) and blot the stain again. Be gentle, and don’t let it spread.
- Step 3: If the stain is still there, use a bit of liquid soap and keep blotting. A bit of makeup remover will also do the trick.
- Step 4: Try rinsing the area with a clean but damp cloth.
- Step 5: If you fail to get makeup out of clothes, use a stain remover pen or wipes on the stain.
- Step 6: Blot the stained area dry. Use a clean tissue for that.
You might not be able to get the stain off completely with this on-the-go solution, but it’ll do the trick temporarily. Make sure you get the stain off by giving it a thorough cleaning when you get back home.
The Best Laundry Cycle to Remove Makeup Stains
Using your washing machine is probably considered a common way to remove makeup stains from clothes. This is where the right laundry cycle matters the most.
But how are you going to figure that out? Well, that depends on the following two things:
Type of Fabric
When you’ve got stains on your delicate fabrics, I’d suggest going for a perm press or gentle cycle. Keep the water cool here, as hot water with harsh cycles can ruin the delicate fibers.
But if the fabric is sturdier, there’s no problem selecting a normal cycle with hot or warm water. Just make sure it’s happening as per the care label.
Severity of Stains
If you see the stain is fresh, hit the standard wash cycle. Make sure you’re picking the appropriate water temperature.
But if it’s stubborn, pre-treat the stain with a stain remover. And if it’s okay for the fabric, use hot water with a heavy-duty cycle.
Additional Tips for Handling Makeup Stains
No matter how much you are used to makeup stains, they’ll always piss you off. But there are a few tips that you might find handy in such a situation, and here they are:
- Act on the stain as fast as you can. That will make it easier to remove.
- Blotting is always better than rubbing, as that will prevent spreading.
- Ensure proper tasting of cleaning products first, as they can lead to discoloration of the fabric.
- Skip harsh chemicals, excessive scrubbing, and hot water, as these can damage the fabric.
- Blotting with petroleum jelly can be useful in removing stains.
- Always pick laundry stain removers that contain enzymes.
- Pre-treating self-tanner stains with baking soda makes it easy to remove the stains. It can even take care of grease stains.
Wrapping Up
Okay, I admit it!
When you want to remove makeup stains from clothing, things can land in a tougher phase at times. But that’s only when you’re trying the wrong techniques. I hope you get the idea by now.
From now on, you won’t have to worry about your lipstick stains, eyeliner, nail polish, or foundation stains. And even if you get stuck with a stain in public, you have the instant solution now.
So, the next time you wear makeup, make sure to throw your worries in the trash can.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can makeup be washed out of clothes?
Indeed, they can be washed out of clothes. But again, that depends on whether proper treatment is being applied. Along with pre-treatment, the stains need the help of the right washing cycle.
How do I get makeup out of jeans?
Blot the excess makeup from your jeans and pre-treat it with laundry detergent. Afterward, brush the stain gently and wash as per care instructions. Repeat if the stain is not gone at once.
How do I remove foundation stains from clothes?
Taking action quickly is the key here. Just blot the stain before pre-treating it with dish soap, detergent, or stain remover, and then wash as per instructions.
How do I remove old makeup stains from white clothes?
Start by pre-treating the stain with baking soda. If you don’t have that, use dish soap paste. After applying, let the soda/paste sit. Later on, agitate the stain and wash the cloth. If the first time doesn’t work, repeat the process.
Does Oxiclean remove makeup stains?
Yes, Oxiclean can be used to remove makeup stains from your clothes. It is a good solution for makeup stains such as lipsticks, foundations, lip glosses, mascara, and concealer.
Will vinegar damage clothes?
Using too much vinegar can damage your clothes. Use it as an as-needed solution, but not for every time you wash your clothes. For tough situations such as removing makeup stains, vinegar is a good solution, but even then, only treat the stained area with vinegar.
