A smear of foundation, lipstick or mascara doesn’t have to mean the end of your favorite shirt! Here’s how to get makeup out of clothes quickly and easily.
How to Get Makeup Out of Clothes, According to Laundry Experts
Updated on Jun. 11, 2024
Makeup has an annoying way of ending up where it shouldn’t. A smear of foundation can pop up on a shirt after you pull your head through it, or you might drop your mascara when applying it. You might also accidentally get makeup on someone else’s clothes when you go in for a hug or kiss. (Oops!) It looks dire in the moment, but if you know how to get makeup out of clothes the right way, those stubborn stains can be a memory in minutes.
“In general, most makeup stains can be removed by acting as fast as possible and using a high-quality detergent,” says Jennifer Ahoni, a senior scientist and fabric-care specialist at Tide. “That being said, different compositions and the ingredients of different makeup may add unique challenges.” For example, waterproof mascara might require a different type of stain remover than a liquid foundation … which might be treated differently than a powder blush. And let’s not forget about lipstick, which just may be your toughest challenge in this arena.
Lucky for you, we have the proven steps to conquer any makeup challenge. Reader’s Digest spoke with two laundry experts—Ahoni and professional house cleaner Logan Taylor, founder of the Dazzle Cleaning Company—about how to get makeup out of clothes. From foundation to mascara, your makeup mishaps won’t stand a chance against these stain-removal tips.
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How to get foundation out of clothes
Liquid foundation
Though there are different kinds of foundation, most are formulated with a base that binds all the colored pigments, explains Ahoni. “The key difference in treating liquid versus powder foundation,” she says, “is in the initial removal of any excess on the surface.”
Supplies you’ll need
- Paper towel or clean cloth
- Water
- Vinegar
- Dish soap
- Liquid laundry detergent
Step 1: Remove excess product
Remove excess foundation from the surface of the fabric with a paper towel or clean cloth. Make sure to blot, not rub, says Ahoni, or you’ll push the liquid deeper into the fibers. Once you’ve removed the excess, rinse the spot in warm water to dilute the stain.
Step 2: Pre-treat the stain
“Pre-treat stains with a mixture of half white vinegar and half dish soap,” says Taylor. “Let that sit for 10 to 15 minutes.” Liquid foundation stains are similar to grease stains because of the makeup’s oily base, and soap and vinegar can cut through that kind of grease. You can also pre-treat with your preferred laundry detergent.
Step 3: Launder the garment
Without rinsing off the detergent or the vinegar-and-soap mixture, place the garment in the washing machine with a standard amount of detergent. (It is fine to launder this item with other garments.) “Leaving the detergent [or vinegar solution] on the stain will give your wash an extra boost of cleaning,” says Ahoni. Wash on the warmest temperature recommended on the garment’s care label, as warm water will help break up the stain.
Step 4: Repeat, as needed
If the stain remains, repeat Steps 2 and 3 before drying.
| ♦ Pro tip |
| The above techniques work best on cotton and poly-blend fabrics. If your stain is on a fabric like silk or wool, it’s best to take the garment to the dry cleaner; you can end up doing more harm than good if you try to remove the stain on your own. |
Powder foundation
Since powder foundation contains loose particles, take extra care when removing any excess from the fabric’s surface, advises Ahoni. You want to make sure you don’t further embed the stain or spread the powder.
Supplies you’ll need
- Paper towel or clean cloth
- Water
- Vinegar
- Dish soap
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
Step 1: Shake off excess powder
First, shake off as much of the powder foundation as possible. “Gently brush off any that remains,” Ahoni says, “being careful not to push the foundation into the fabric fibers.” You can also use a blow-dryer to do this, adds Taylor, but it needs to be on the coolest setting.
Step 2: Rinse with warm water
Run warm water through the stain, from back to front so you don’t further embed the foundation in the fibers. The higher the water pressure, the easier it will be to remove. Once the excess is gone, you’ll use the same general pre-treatment and washing guidelines as you would for liquid foundation.
Step 3: Pre-treat the stain
Pre-treat powder foundation stains with a 50-50 vinegar-and-dish-soap solution, advises Taylor, or reach for your preferred laundry detergent. Gently work the detergent into the stain with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and let it dwell on the fabric for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Launder the garment
Without rinsing off the detergent or vinegar-and-soap mixture, place the garment in the washing machine with other items. Wash on the warmest temperature recommended on the care label.
Step 5: Repeat, as needed
If the stain remains, repeat Steps 3 and 4 before drying.
| ♦ Pro tip |
| While warm water is recommended for makeup stains, that isn’t the case for blood stains and mustard stains. Warm water cause those types of stains to set and become impossible to get out. Before diving in, make sure you understand the nature of the stain and how to deal with it. |
How to get lipstick out of clothes
Lipstick is arguably one of the toughest types of makeup to get out of clothes. Why? Because these beauty products are usually oil-based. “Lipstick is similar to a solid grease that acts like a glue to bind lots of colored pigments together,” Ahoni explains. “These pigments are especially attracted to synthetic fibers.” (Incidentally, this is something you’ll also want to keep in mind when trying to get actual oil stains out of clothes.)
The key to treating lipstick stains is to act fast, but even if your stain has had some time to set, you’re not out of luck. Follow these steps, which can also be used to get ChapStick or other lip balm out of clothes.
Supplies you’ll need
- Clean cloth or paper towel
- Water
- Dish soap
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Spoon or butter knife
- Stain remover
Step 1: Freeze the garment
For thick or heavy lipstick stains, place the garment in the freezer for 20 minutes. For lighter stains, you can move onto Step 3.
Step 2: Scrape the stain
Take the garment out of the freezer, and gently scrape off any excess lipstick with a spoon or butter knife.
Step 3: Blot the stain
Put a clean cloth or paper towel on top of the stain, and gently press the cloth to blot away excess lipstick or lip balm. If the stain has bled through to the other side, place another cloth or paper towel on the underside before pressing.
Step 4: Apply dish soap
Dish soap is a great way to cut through this oily makeup stain. Squirt a little dish soap on a damp cloth, and dab the stain with it. Make sure to use a clean part of the cloth each time you dab so you don’t accidentally transfer lipstick back onto the garment. If the stain has soaked to the underside of the garment, apply the dish soap there as well. Rinse the area in warm water to dilute the stain and rinse off the dish soap.
Step 5: Pre-treat the stain
Next, pre-treat the stain with liquid laundry detergent. Pour enough detergent on the garment to cover the stain, gently working the detergent into the stain with a soft-bristled toothbrush until the stain begins to lift. Let it dwell on the fabric for 20 minutes.
Step 6: Launder the garment
Without rinsing off the detergent, place the garment into the washer with other items. Use the warmest temperature recommended for the item on the care label, and launder as usual, with a normal amount of laundry detergent.
Step 7: Repeat, as needed
Repeat Steps 4 through 6 as needed before putting the garment in the dryer.
How to get mascara out of clothes
Since mascaras are formulated from oils, waxes and dyes, you’ll need to start by pre-treating the stain. Also, because most mascaras are dark, it’s extremely important to treat them right away and to be sure you don’t spread the stain.
Supplies you’ll need
- Clean cloth
- Water
- Liquid laundry detergent or makeup remover
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Stain remover
Step 1: Pre-treat the stain
Pre-treat the stain with liquid laundry detergent, which contains surfactants and enzymes to break it up. Pour enough detergent on the stain to cover it, and then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently work the detergent into the stain. Let the detergent dwell on the fabric for 20 minutes.
Step 2: Rinse the stained area
Rinse the stained area in hot water. Hot water will help break down and dissolve the mascara, making it easier to lift and rinse away from the fabric fibers.
Step 3: Place the garment in the washing machine
Machine-wash on the warmest temperature recommended on the care label. If the stain remains, repeat Steps 1 and 2 before drying.
| ♦ Pro tip |
| For waterproof makeup stains, you can also try using an oil-free makeup remover as a pre-treatment. That said, detergent will work just fine and is Ahoni’s preferred pre-treater. |
General tips for removing makeup stains from clothes
No matter what kind of makeup you’re trying to get out or what type of fabric you’re trying to remove it from, acting fast is key. Of course, you can’t very well remove your clothes and get to work on the stain when you’re at the office, out to dinner or in any number of other out-of-the-house scenarios. In those instances, use one of these tricks to tide you over until you get home.
How to get rid of makeup stains without washing
Pre-treating and washing your garment is the best way to remove makeup stains, but if you don’t have water nearby, then you’ll need to use what’s handy. Scrape off or blow away any excess product, making sure you don’t spread the stain. Do this immediately. Then, firmly blot the stain by pressing either side of the garment with a clean cloth or paper towel. If you have a stain-remover wipe or pen, follow up with that to remove any residual stain. When you get home, toss the item in the wash.
How to get rid of makeup stains on the go
Taylor recommends keeping a laundry detergent wipe or stain-remover stick in your bag or car so you can tackle stains when you’re out and about. Makeup-remover wipes can also work in a pinch, he says. Always scrape away as much as you can first, then blot the stain before using a stain-removing wipe or pen.
“If I’m at a restaurant, I’ll add a little bit of vodka to the makeup wipe, as alcohol is a solvent and will lift the stain faster and more fully,” Taylor says. “Just don’t use club soda. It doesn’t work well and will just leave you with a bubbly wet stain.”
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Amy Schlinger tapped her experience as a home and lifestyle journalist, and then Mary Marlowe Leverette, a fabric-care and stain-removal expert who has more than 40 years of industry experience, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources, including Jennifer Ahoni, a senior Tide scientist with fabric-care expertise, and Logan Taylor, an experienced home-cleaning professional. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Jennifer Ahoni, principal scientist for Proctor & Gamble’s Tide; email interview, March 2021
- Logan Taylor, professional cleaning expert and founder of the Dazzle Cleaning Company; email interview, January 2024
