How to Remove Makeup From Clothes: An Essential Guide

This guide was written by the Rinse team with fabric care expert Dan Eisen.

Introduction

You put on a new dress for a night out with friends and accidentally drop liquid foundation on it. Sound familiar? 

Makeup stains can be a hassle to get rid of, especially if it's waterproof makeup. But don't worry, we've got you covered with some simple tricks to remove makeup from clothes.

5 Effective Ways To Get Makeup Out Of Clothes

Getting makeup on clothes isn't an uncommon occurrence. Whether it's your powder foundation transferring to the collar of your shirt or the mascara staining the sleeve as you try to fix your hair, we've all been there. 

Here are some helpful ways to remove different types of makeup stains from clothes. 

How to Remove Foundation from Clothes

Foundations may be oil-based or oil-free and require different cleaning solutions and methods. Here's how to remove oil-free foundation from clothes:

• Scoop the Excess: Take a spoon or butter knife and use it to scoop the foundation of your garment. Do not rub the stain, or it will become bigger. You can also blot the stain with a clean white cloth or paper towel to remove any extra product.

• Apply Shaving Cream: Squeeze a small amount of shaving cream to the stain, covering it completely. Rub it in, then let it sit for 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse it off with cool water. 

• Put Rubbing Alcohol: Sometimes, the shaving cream alone doesn't suffice. In such cases, apply shaving cream on the stain again. Then, put 4 drops of rubbing alcohol on the shaving cream and rub the mixture with your finger. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse off with cold water.  

• Use a Detergent: Pretreat the foundation stain with a heavy-duty laundry detergent. You can use a powder or liquid laundry detergent. After soaking your garment in it for 10 minutes, wash it as usual. Repeat this process as necessary.

For oil-based foundations, start with the same steps from above. Scoop the foundation and blot the area with a paper towel. Then, do the following: 

• Apply Dish Soap: Put a few drops of cool water on the stain to wet it. Then, squirt some dish soap onto the stain and rub it in. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with cold water. 

• Pretreat: Pretreat the stain with a heavy-duty laundry detergent and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing as usual. 

If you get powder foundation (more on powder below) on your clothes, do not rub, wipe, or dab the stain. Instead, blow it with your mouth or a blow dryer. Then, wet the stain a little and pour a few drops of dish soap on it. Rub the stained area gently with your fingers and rinse off the dish soap with cold water. 

Pro Tip: Do not use any of these tips for clothes that say ''Dry Clean Only.'' Take these clothes to a professional cleaner. 

How to Remove Lipstick from Clothes

Lipstick stains are among the most common and frustrating makeup stains. The tricky part, as fabric care expert Dan Eisen explains, is that lipstick is wax plus pigment, so the wax has to come off first or the color just smears. Luckily, you can usually lift it without damaging the fabric. Here is his method, step by step:

• Remove Excess: Remove the extra lipstick from the stain using a spoon or dull knife.

• Lift the Wax: Lay the garment on a towel. Work a little Vaseline into the stain with the rounded end of a spoon to loosen the wax and pigment, then blot the freed color away with the towel.

• Work in Detergent: Apply water and a little mild detergent, working it in with the spoon. Dab with a clean towel, then rinse the area with water.

• Treat Stubborn Pigment: For color that remains, apply a little detergent mixed with household ammonia, rub gently, and rinse with water.

• Lighten What's Left: Apply a little 3% hydrogen peroxide followed by a touch of ammonia, let it sit a few minutes, and rinse.

• Finish and Wash: Dab the area with white vinegar, then wash the garment as usual according to the fabric care instructions.

Caution: Test each product, the detergent, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar, on a hidden seam before using it, and work in a well-ventilated spot. Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach.

How to Remove Nail Polish from Clothes

Nail polish is one of the hardest stains to get out. It dries into a hard, plasticky film that sits on top of the fabric instead of soaking in, so it takes a solvent and a careful hand. Here is Eisen's method, step by step:

• Set Up a Work Surface: Turn a glass upside down on a flat surface and lay a towel over the base. This gives you a firm spot to work on and keeps the solvent off other surfaces.

• Protect the Fabric: Place the stained fabric over the towel and work a little Vaseline into the stain to help shield the fibers

• Apply Acetone: Add a few drops of acetone or nail polish remover. Test an unexposed area first, since acetone can dissolve acetate and triacetate fabrics and lift printed designs, and keep it away from any flame since it is highly flammable.

• Break It Up: Rub gently with the rounded edge of a spoon to loosen the polish, giving the acetone time to work. Patience matters more than pressure.

• Wash: Once the polish lifts, wash the garment as usual.

How to Remove Mascara from Clothes

Waterproof mascara is generally harder to remove than regular mascara because of its staying power. However, you can still remove it from your clothes by following these simple steps: 

• Dissolve the Mascara: Take a makeup wipe and dab it on the mascara stain. It will loosen up the mascara, making it easier to remove. 

• Wipe the Other Side: Put a paper towel or clean cloth on a flat surface. Place your stained garment face down on the towel and dab the back of the stain with a makeup wipe to push the mascara through the fabric onto the towel. 

• Use Laundry Detergent: When you can't get any more mascara off, use a small amount of laundry detergent and rub it into the stain with your fingers. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing. 

If you're dealing with a white cloth, you can also use bleach to remove makeup stains. 

How to Remove Powder Makeup From Clothes

Be it setting powder or powder blush, these makeup products can easily leave stains on your clothes. Here's how to remove them: 

• Shake the Loose Powder Off: Start by shaking off as much powder from the stain as you can. 

• Pretreat: Use a mixture of dish soap or mild detergent and water to pretreat the stain. 

• Launder According to the Care Instructions: Follow the instructions on the care label of your garment to wash it properly. If the stain persists, repeat the process or try using a stain remover for stubborn stains. 

How to Remove Makeup Stains From Carpets

Your clothes are not the only victims of makeup stains. Carpets can also fall prey to our makeup mishaps. The same goes for upholstery and other fabrics.

Here's the good news: the same methods that work for clothes often work for carpets, too. 

Blotting with a Clean Cloth 

Before you go on to make any cleaning potions, you should blot the stain. Try to gently remove as much of the makeup as you can without spreading it around. 

Using White Vinegar Solution 

Vinegar works for pretty much any type of stain, including those caused by your eye makeup or foundation. 

You will need:

•  One tablespoon of white vinegar

• Two cups of cold water

Mix the two ingredients in a spray bottle and spray the solution on the stain. Wait for a few seconds before washing the garment as usual. 

Using a Dishwashing Liquid Solution 

Make a solution of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. It's the perfect makeup stain remover for carpets and clothes. 

Using Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol works so well on stains because it breaks down the oils in makeup products. Don't go overboard with it, though. Only use a few drops at a time, and always test on an inconspicuous area first. 

Additional Makeup-Removing Tips

If you're a habitual makeup stainer, here are a few tips to keep your clothes stain-free:

• Act Quickly: If you let the stains set, the removal process instantly gets harder. So, don't wait for this to happen. Instead, act as quickly as possible. If you can't treat the stain right away, at least blot it with a damp cloth until you can wash it. 

• Pretreat Cuffs and Collars: Since collars are in close vicinity of the face, they're more susceptible to makeup stains, such as blush and foundation. Pretreat these stains with a stain remover or dish soap mixture before washing them. 

• Use Baby Wipes: If you're out and about, keep baby wipes in your bag. Use them for accidental makeup smudges on your clothes. 

• Use Micellar Water: We bet you thought micellar water only removes the makeup on your face. But it can do wonders for your clothes, too. Just pour some on a cotton ball and dab it on the stain for quick stain removal. Similarly, you can use a liquid eye makeup remover for smaller stains. 

• Blot, Don't Rub: Keep this rule in mind for all types of stains, not just makeup. Rubbing only sets the stain deeper; you don't want that. Instead, blot the stain gently. 

Makeup-Free Garments With Rinse 

A makeup stain usually means treating the garment, washing it, and then checking it again. Rinse handles that for you. Put your laundry in a bag and a Valet picks it up from your door, and we match the cleaning method to the stain and the fabric.

Whether it's a delicate silk blouse or a cotton t-shirt, we know how every fabric has to be cleaned. We also offer dry cleaning services for fabrics you cannot put through a washer. So a foundation stain on a prized blazer or a wine spill on a graduation dress is handled with the right method rather than guessed at.

Scheduling a pickup takes a quick text, or you can book through our website or app. For a stain that cannot wait, we also offer Next-Day Rush.

Contact us at Rinse today to see our skill in action.

About the expert: Dan Eisen

Dan Eisen is a fabric care expert with more than 35 years in garment analysis and stain removal. He founded the International Independent Garment Analysis Service and served as Chief Garment Analyst for the National Cleaners Association from 1968 to 2001.

He co-founded the East Coast School of Dry Cleaning and was Assistant Director of the New York School of Dry Cleaning. He has lectured at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Marymount College, and has consulted on textile care for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Elliott Museum in Florida.

His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsday, and he has appeared on David Letterman and CNN. He has cared for garments belonging to public figures including Barbra Streisand, Glenn Close, and Colonel Harland Sanders, writes regularly for National Clothesline and Korean Monthly, holds two patents, and continues to consult on commercial, industrial, insurance, and legal cases worldwide.