Many of us wear makeup daily, and so it’s only a matter of time before we end up with a makeup stain on our clothing. The tricky thing about makeup stains is that each makeup formula is unique, and contains various ingredients that require different stain removal methods. But, the good news is that overall, there are specific stain removal methods that work on most types of makeup out there, whether they be liquid-based like foundation, oil-based like lipstick, or dry (like eyeshadow).
A Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Makeup and Lipstick Stains
Let’s go over the main types of makeup, since formulas can vary a lot from one another, and talk about how to remove each kind from your clothing.
Liquid Makeup (Foundation, Concealer, etc.)
First, you’ll want to gently scrape away excess makeup on the surface of your clothes using a blunt knife. Then, you’ll want to soak the garment by dabbing some Grab Green Liquid Dish Soap directly onto the stain, then turning it inside out and running cold water through it. If it’s an oil-based formula, hot water is key, and if it’s water-based, go with cold water. Rinsing when the garment is inside out pushes the makeup out of the fabric rather than further in.
Now, you’ll want to launder the garment according to its care instructions, again using a warm water cycle if it’s oil-based makeup. Use a heavy-duty stain-removing detergent that contains enzymes which will help break down the makeup further, such as Grab Green’s 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods, 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, Bleach Alternative Pods, or Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods.
Black Makeup (Liquid or Kohl Eyeliners, Mascara, etc.)
First, determine if you have a waterproof or non-waterproof formula. If it’s waterproof, you’ll need to use an oil-based cleaner, and if it’s non-waterproof, you’ll need an alcohol-based cleaner. Again, the absolute best option is the makeup remover that you use for your face, which is specially designed to clean away these formulas while being gentle enough for skin (and fabrics). Soak the stain in the appropriate cleaner solution for about 10 minutes before gently blotting away using a clean towel or sponge.
Lipstick Stains
Lipstick stains, like all makeup, can be made from various types of formulas, but overall the method is the same regardless. First, use a blunt knife to scrape excess lipstick off of the surface of your clothing. Then, immediately apply alcohol-based hairspray to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes, as the alcohol can break up the stain and help it lift away. You can also use rubbing alcohol, but keep in mind that straight rubbing alcohol can damage silk, wool, rayon and acetate. Blot the stain away repeatedly using a clean towel until no more lipstick is coming off onto the towel. Place the garment in the washing machine with an enzyme-based detergent like our 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods or 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, and run a hot water cycle.
Powdered Makeup Stains (Eyeshadow, Blush, etc.)
Once you notice the stain, apply makeup remover and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, start blotting the stain with a clean cloth or sponge, blotting repeatedly until no more powder is getting lifted onto the sponge or cloth. Rinse the garment using cold water until the stain is gone. If some of it remains, apply some dish soap directly to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes before giving it another rinse. Then, launder it according to your clothing label’s care instructions.
