How to Remove Makeup Stains From Clothes

Wearing makeup is a great way to boost your confidence but it’s not so great when it ends up on your favorite shirt.

Like most stains, time is of the essence when it comes to removing the smear. The longer you wait, you harder it will be to remove – this goes for liquid foundation stains, lipstick stains, and powder makeup stains.

What’s the best way to remove makeup stains? What products should you use? For the answers, be sure to keep reading. We’ll be going over everything you need to know below.

Different Types of Makeup Stains

Foundation Stains

Foundation is key to a flawless look but is also a common culprit behind many clothing stains. Its oil-based composition makes it difficult to get rid off once dried up on fabrics.

Lipstick Stains

It can be difficult to remove lipstick stains due to their waxy texture and pigments, which can deeply penetrate into fibers if not treated promptly.

Eyeliner and Mascara Stains

Mascara and eyeliner can be just as tricky with their waterproof formulas designed specifically not to run or smear – great for your lashes but a nightmare when smeared across your white blouse.

Pre-Treating Your Makeup Stains

Pre-treating the makeup stain can make a world of difference.

Using Makeup Remover as a Pre-Treatment

Makeup Remover is great as a pre-treatment – it will be able to take off the waterproof makeup without damaging the fabric.

You don’t need much either. Dab a bit onto a clean cloth or cotton ball and gently blot the stain before throwing your garment into the washing machine. You can also scrub gently with a soft bristled brush.

Just don’t do it that hard – that can drive the makeup deeper into fibers, which will make them tougher to get out.

How to Remove Makeup Stains From Clothing Using Household Items

Besides makeup remover, there are other products that you can use to remove the stains – many of which you probably already have at home.

Use Soap or Baking Soda

Grease stains from liquid foundation or waterproof makeup can be removed with a stain removal soap stick. Simply wet the stained area and apply the soap stick directly to the spot and rub gently.

Baking soda also works wonders on these types of stains. Using a damp cloth, wet the area before sprinkling some baking soda over it and scrubbing lightly with a clean cloth or a soft bristled brush.

Removing Nail Polish Spills With Rubbing Alcohol

Nail polish spills are notorious for being difficult to remove, especially if they’ve dried up.

That’s where rubbing alcohol comes in – simply soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab it onto the nail polish stain; it will help break down the components, allowing for easy removal afterwards.

Use Hair Spray

Apply a liberal amount of hairspray directly on the makeup stain. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, until it’s completely dry before scrubbing the stain gently with a clean cloth or paper towel. Alternatively, you can rub the area gently with a makeup wipe.

Removing Makeup Stains with Laundry Detergent

Certain stains can also be removed in the washing machine. If anything, you just have to pay attention to the temperature of the water as it plays an essential role in stain removal.

For example, cold water is best for lipstick stains as it’ll prevent it from setting deeper into fabric fibers.

Pre-Treating With ACTIVE Detergent

Your choice of laundry detergent can make or break the success of removing makeup stains. We highly recommend investing in a high-quality product such as ACTIVE Laundry Detergent. It’s formulated not only to clean but also to maintain the vibrancy and texture of fabrics.

Simply dissolve a small amount of ACTIVE detergent in warm or hot water. That will create a cleaning solution that you can use to pre-treat the area.

Just make sure not to add too much powder when you’re making the cleaning solution as you don’t want there to be any detergent residue left on your shirt.

Launder Garment After Pre-Treating

Once you’ve pretreated the makeup stain, toss the garment into the washing machine.

Generally speaking, longer laundry cycles will be more effective at removing makeup stains. For one thing, they allow for strong cleaning action and thorough rinsing.

So next time you see a makeup stain on your clothes, don’t panic – with ACTIVE laundry detergent and the right techniques at hand, those stubborn spots won’t stand a chance.

When to Seek Professional Help

Even with all the right products and techniques, some stubborn makeup stains will be near impossible to remove. In cases like that, you’ll want to take your shirt to the dry cleaners.

That also applies if you’re dealing with delicate fabrics like silk or cashmere. These materials need special care that only a professional dry cleaner can provide.

Dry cleaners will have specialized equipment that allow them to treat stains in different fabrics.

How to Remove Makeup Stains From Your Clothes – FAQs

Can you remove makeup stains from your clothes?

Yes, with proper treatment using detergents or household items like baking soda and rubbing alcohol, makeup can be removed from clothes.

How do you get foundation stains out of clothes?

To remove foundation from your clothes, apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly on the stain. Gently rub it in and rinse with cold water. Pat dry with a paper towel afterward.

Does vinegar remove makeup stains from clothes?

Vinegar is useful for removing some types of stains but is not usually effective for makeup marks.

Can You Remove Makeup stains with Shaving Cream?

You may be able to remove some types of makeup stain with shaving cream. Simply apply the cream to the fabric and wait 10 to 15 minutes. The foam will help break down the grease and other components – that will allow you to wash it away easily.

Knowing How to Remove a Makeup Stain

And there you have it – a guide on how to remove makeup stains! As you can see, there are several ways to remove these marks, whether you’re dealing with lipstick smudges or foundation spills.

And you don’t necessarily need to buy stain remover. There are household items such as vinegar, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and baking soda that you can use instead.

For tough stains, however, it may be best to use a laundry detergent such as ACTIVE Detergent as it’ll lbe able to penetrate deep into the fibers to remove the makeup residue.

If you’ve tried everything and nothing works then it may be time to bring your stained shirt to the dry cleaners.