It’s very annoying when you get a lipstick or foundation stain on your clothing, isn’t it?
When it happens, your first inclination might be to reach for the makeup remover. Apparently, this is not the best solution. The oil, which is meant for the skin, might actually make the situation worse. Save your shirts or towel from makeup stain with these tips:
How to remove: lipstick stain
Most lipsticks have an oily base, so reach for your dish soap to cut through the oil and lift the pigment. First, blot the stain with a clean tissue to remove any excess color. Spray the stain with clean water, but don’t soak the fabric. Then gently rub a drop of the soap onto the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Next, use a clean terry cloth towel to rub the soap into the stain in a circular motion from the outer edges towards the middle. Finish by dabbing the section of fabric clean with a dry towel, and if the stain isn’t completely removed, repeat the process as necessary.
Lipstick stain can also be removed using hairspray. Spritz hairspray on the stain directly and let it stay for around 20 minutes. Dab it with a sponge and wash with regular detergent.
How to remove: liquid foundation stain
If you’re using a liquid foundation, it’ll soak into fabric very quickly, so the sooner you can get to the stain, the better. To remove liquid foundation stain on fabric, a small amount of shaving cream can help. Simply wet the area, apply the shaving cream directly on the stain, rub in gently (using soft toothbrush), then wash the shirt normally. If you’ve got an oil-based foundation stain, try dish soap as it will counter the oil and lift out the stain. Remember that this method only applies for cotton and polyester-blend fabrics!
How to remove: mascara and/or eyeliner stain
If you’ve got a streak of mascara or eyeliner on your favorite shirt, clean it using a Q-tip and dip it in an oil-free makeup remover. You can also use a pre-wash stain detergent and apply to the stain using soft toothbrush. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse with hot water. Launder the garment immediately either by hand or in the machine. Let the garment dry flat instead of putting it in the dryer, especially if the stain isn’t completely out.
How to remove: blush on or bronzer stain
The stain of powder-based blushes or bronzer can be removed by sticking a strip of Scotch tape on the stained area, with a quick buffing of a deodorant sponge. Liquid bronzer or blushes, however, require a slightly different treatment, and should be spot-cleaned with any grease-cutting dish soap to prevent stains from forming.
How to remove: eyeshadow stain
Similar to the way a powder blush or bronzer can be removed with Scotch tape, so can your favorite eyeshadows. After removing the stain with Scotch tape, you can clean up the stain using a wet wipe.
How to remove: deodorant stain
While deodorant may not be makeup, it still gets on your clothing all the time. Using a pair of nylon stockings or a dryer sheet, rub the fabric against the deodorant mark and it’ll almost immediately come out off of the clothing.
