For anyone who wears makeup, the stain will sooner or later stick to their favorite T-shirt or jeans. However, before quickly wiping off a tissue and tossing the clothes in the washing machine, try a few ways to remove makeup stains without having to wash them. Learn how to get rid of lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, foundation and blush stains for good!
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Method 1 of 5: Removing Stains with Cleaning Wet Wipes
Step 1. Try using wet wipes on small areas of clothing to remove makeup stains
Because of the chemicals that are usually contained in these cleaning wipes, check their effects first and determine if the wipes can damage your clothes.
You can find cleaning wipes like Shout: Wipe & Go at local convenience stores or online stores. You could also consider a stain-removal product like Tide-to-Go
Step 2. Massage a wet tissue on the stain
Gently wipe the wet tissue over the stain in a circular motion. Start at the edges of the stain and work your way towards the center. Do this for a few minutes or until most of the stain is visible on the surface of the tissue.
Step 3. Rinse the stains with cold running water
Place the clothes flat under the tap. Try to open the faucet just a little so that the flow of water is more easily directed to the stained area.
Cold water will help remove the stain
Step 4. Dry the clothes with a tissue
Squeeze the remaining water from the stained area. Gently pat a dry tissue over the area to make sure all the stain is removed.
Method 2 of 5: Removing Stains with Dish Soap
Step 1. Pat a clean tissue over the surface of the lipstick, eyeliner, or mascara stain on the garment
This method is best used for removing such makeup as it is generally oil based. Dish soap will not damage most types of fabric. Simply pat a tissue, toilet paper, or kitchen paper towel on the surface of the stain to remove it. Don't rub the stain, as this will only make it wider.
Step 2. Splash cold water
Wet your finger with a little water, then pat it against the surface of the stain. Alternatively, you can also take 1/2 teaspoon of water and then pour it over the surface of the stain. Do not use hot water because it will make the stain seep deeper into the fabric.
Step 3. Pour a drop of dish soap onto the surface of the stain
If you're concerned about how this soap will affect silk or wool, try pouring the soap on a small area first before trying to remove the stain. Use your index finger to spread the soap so that it coats the entire stained area. You only need a thin layer of soap on the surface of the stain. However, choose dish soap with a strong grease-removing formula at your local convenience store.
Step 4. Apply soap to the surface of the stain
Use a clean towel to massage the soap into the surface of the stain. Rub the soap in a circular motion starting at the edges and working your way up to the center of the stain. Small terry towels work best in this step. The lint on this towel will help lift the stain from the clothes. However, if you don't have a towel like this, just use a regular small towel.
To help clean stubborn stains, use an old toothbrush instead of a towel to massage the soap into the stain
Step 5. Allow the stain to soak into the clothes for 10-15 minutes
That way, the soap can remove the stain without requiring you to wash it. Just don't wait for the soap to dry.
Step 6. Pat the clothes dry with a dry towel
Do not use a towel to rub the stain. Simply pat the towel until it absorbs the soap and makeup stains. Wiping the towel will only rub against the clothes and make the makeup stain wider or leave the towel lint on the clothes.
Step 7. Repeat if necessary
Depending on how long the stain has been on the garment, you may have to repeat the above steps until most of the makeup has been removed from the garment. Also, the bigger the stain, the longer it will take you to clean.
Method 3 of 5: Removing Stains with Hairspray
Step 1. Spray hairspray on small areas of clothing to remove liquid foundation, tan, and liquid lipstick
Notice if the color of the clothes changes or there is any other damage. If there are no problems, take a bottle of hairspray and spray it directly onto the surface of the stain. Longer-lasting hairspray is an ideal choice because the chemicals can bind to makeup more effectively.
- The sooner you clean the stain, the more likely you are to successfully remove it all.
- Be careful using hairspray on soft fabrics such as lace or silk. You may also not need to spray several coats of hairspray until it hardens.
Step 2. Let the hairspray harden
After a few minutes, the hairspray should set on the stain and clothes. If this doesn't happen, spray hairspray on the same area, and wait a few more minutes.
Step 3. Wet the tissue
Prepare a clean tissue and wet it with cold water. The colder the water, the better at removing stains. Squeeze out the excess water so the fabric doesn't get completely wet. These wipes should feel moist to the touch, but not too wet.
Step 4. Wipe the tissue over the surface of the stain
Use a damp tissue to remove hairspray from clothes. Make-up stains should be lifted along with the hairspray.
- Gently press the tissue against the surface of the stain and lift it to see how much makeup it lifts off. Repeat until all the makeup is gone from the clothes.
- To reduce the chance of tissue debris sticking to your clothes, use thick, 2-layered tissue.
Method 4 of 5: Removing Stains with Ice Cubes
Step 1. Peel off any excess liquid foundation, tan, or concealer with a plastic object
Before the makeup dries on the clothes, peel off the surface with a knife or plastic spoon. Makeup like this won't dry on clothes right away, making it easier to clean. The flexibility of the tools used will make it easier for you to peel off the rest of the makeup. Remove any remaining makeup after successfully exfoliating.
Step 2. Rub an ice cube onto the surface of the stain
Press an ice cube onto the surface of the stain and rub it in a circular motion. The ice will begin to break down any makeup that has stuck to the clothes. Keep rubbing ice cubes on the stain until the makeup is lifted from the clothes.
- To protect your fingers from the cold and slow down the ice cubes from melting, you might want to use a tissue to hold them.
- Ice cubes can be used on any type of clothing material because it is only water.
Step 3. Dry with a tissue
Take a tissue and pat the surface of the stain that is currently wet until most of it is removed. Then, wring out the remaining water from the cloth with a tissue. If there is still some makeup left in the same area, apply another ice cube and repeat the process until your clothes are clean.
Method 5 of 5: Removing Stains with Tight Nylon Pants
Step 1. Get old nylon tights ready to remove powdery makeup like foundation, blush, and eyeshadow
Choose tight nylon pants that don't matter if they get dirty. Most tights are made of nylon and microfiber, and some are made of cotton and microfiber. Check the label on your tights, you most likely have a lot of nylon tights.
Nylon tights will not damage your clothes. After use, these pants can be washed and returned like new
Step 2. Remove makeup stains from clothes
Blow the stain to remove the powder from the surface of the garment. You can blow the stain directly with your mouth or use a hairdryer.
- Be sure to turn on the hairdryer on the lowest possible setting. The use of heat will only make the makeup seep into the clothes even more, and this is not something you would expect.
- Hold the garment tightly horizontally in front of you. Blow the makeup stain away from you so that none of the powder will stick to your body.
Step 3. Rub the nylon tights onto the surface of the stain
Grasp one side of the tights with one hand, then gently rub it over the stain to remove it. This rubbing motion will remove any remaining makeup powder. Keep scrubbing the makeup stain until it's completely gone.
Tips
- Removing stains from makeup will be much easier if the clothes are removed first.
- You can try using rubbing alcohol or baby wipes to remove lipstick or liquid foundation stains.
- Run the hairdryer on low to blow the powdery makeup off the clothes.
- Try pouring a small amount of the makeup remover solution on a cotton ball to remove any new stains.
