How To Get Makeup Out Of Clothes

Don't let a makeup mishap ruin your favourite clothes! This guide shows you how to rescue garments from common stains like foundation, lipstick, and mascara. With quick action and the right steps, you can lift most makeup marks using simple items you likely already have at home, saving your clothes and your day.

Fast Answer

Act quickly: The sooner you tackle a makeup stain, the easier it is to remove.
Blot, don't rub: Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the fabric fibres.
Use cold water: Hot water can set many makeup stains, making them harder to remove.

30-60 minutes Time needed

Easy to Medium Difficulty

Rubbing, Hot Water, Dryer Watch out for

Before You Start

Before you begin, gather these items. Having everything ready will make the stain removal process smoother and more effective.

Clean white cloths or paper towels: For blotting and applying cleaning solutions. Using white avoids transferring colour to your garment.
Liquid laundry detergent: A gentle but effective cleaner for many makeup stains.
Dish soap: Particularly good for oil-based makeup thanks to its grease-cutting properties.
Rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit) or clear hairspray: Excellent for dissolving tough stains like lipstick and mascara.
Plain white shaving cream (foam, not gel): Can lift various makeup stains, especially liquid foundation.
Cotton buds or pads: For precise application on small stains or delicate areas.
Soft brush (e.g., old toothbrush): To gently work cleaning agents into the fabric.
Blunt knife or spoon: For gently scraping off excess solid or semi-solid makeup.
Cold water: Essential for rinsing and pre-treating most makeup stains.
Pre-wash stain remover (optional): For very stubborn or old stains.

Check first: Always test any cleaning solution on a small, hidden part of the garment first, like an inside seam. This ensures it won't damage the fabric or cause discolouration. Wait a few minutes to see if there's any reaction before treating the main stain.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Remove Excess Makeup Immediately

The very first thing to do is address the fresh stain. If it's a dollop of foundation, a smudge of lipstick, or a powder spill, gently remove as much of the excess makeup as you can without rubbing it further into the fabric.

For liquid or creamy makeup: Use a clean spoon or a blunt knife to carefully scrape off any thick, excess product. Scoop it up rather than spreading it.
For powder makeup: Gently shake or blow off loose powder from the fabric. Do not rub or wipe, as this can press the powder deeper into the fibres.

Tip: Always work from the outside edge of the stain towards the centre. This helps prevent the stain from spreading and becoming larger.

2. Identify the Type of Makeup Stain

Knowing what kind of makeup caused the stain is crucial because different types of makeup require slightly different cleaning approaches. Most makeup falls into a few categories:

Oil-based: This includes many foundations, concealers, lipsticks, mascaras, and eyeliner pencils. These stains often feel greasy.
Powder-based: Blusher, eyeshadow, setting powder, bronzer. These are dry and chalky.
Water-based/Pigment: Some newer foundations or lip tints might be more water-based with a strong pigment, but less oily.

Once you know the type, you can pick the most effective cleaning agent.

Watch out: Never assume all makeup stains are the same. Treating an oil-based stain with just water might not work and could even make it worse.

3. Pre-Treat with a Suitable Cleaning Agent

This is where you apply the chosen cleaning solution to start breaking down the stain. Remember to blot, not rub!

For Liquid Foundation, Concealer, or Cream Blush:

These are often oil-based. Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap directly onto the stain. Gently dab and work it into the fabric with a clean white cloth, cotton bud, or a soft brush. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the soap to break down the makeup oils.

For Lipstick, Mascara, or Eyeliner:

These are usually very oily and pigmented. Blot the stain with a white cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit) or a generous spray of clear, alcohol-based hairspray. The alcohol helps dissolve the oils and dyes. Let it soak for a few minutes, then blot with a clean damp cloth.

For Powder Makeup (Blush, Eyeshadow, Powder Foundation):

After gently shaking off excess powder (Step 1), avoid water initially. Instead, use a piece of sticky tape (like Sellotape) to lift remaining powder particles. Press the sticky side onto the stain and pull it away. Repeat until no more powder lifts off. If a coloured tint remains, then proceed with a liquid laundry detergent or dish soap treatment as you would for liquid foundation.

Tip: For very delicate fabrics like silk or wool, be extra gentle. Use cotton buds for precise application and minimal rubbing.

4. Rinse the Treated Area with Cold Water

Once your chosen cleaning agent has had time to work, it's time to rinse it out. Hold the stained area under a tap with cold running water. Let the water run through the back of the stain to help push the makeup out of the fabric fibres. Gently rub the fabric against itself if the stain is stubborn, but avoid harsh scrubbing.

Continue rinsing until you no longer see suds or obvious traces of the cleaning agent. The stain should look much lighter, if not completely gone.

Important: Do not use warm or hot water at this stage. Heat can set makeup stains, particularly oil-based ones, making them impossible to remove later.

5. Launder the Garment as Normal (Cold Wash)

After rinsing and checking the stain, wash the entire garment according to its care label, but always choose a cold water cycle. Add your usual laundry detergent. If the garment is delicate or hand-wash only, wash it by hand in cold water with a gentle detergent.

This full wash helps to remove any remaining traces of makeup and cleaning solution from the fabric, ensuring a thorough clean.

Tip: If the care label suggests a specific type of detergent (e.g., colour-safe), follow that guidance.

6. Air Dry and Inspect Thoroughly

This step is critical! After washing, do not put the garment in a tumble dryer. The heat from a dryer will permanently set any lingering makeup stain, making it almost impossible to remove later.

Hang the garment to air dry completely.
Once dry, carefully inspect the area where the stain was. Look closely in good light to make sure every trace of the makeup is gone.

Crucial step: If you still see any hint of the stain after air drying, repeat the entire process from Step 3 before considering putting it in the dryer. Persistence is key for stubborn stains.

7. Repeat if Necessary for Stubborn Stains

Sometimes, especially with older or very pigmented stains, one treatment might not be enough. If you can still see the makeup stain after air drying and inspection, don't despair!

Simply go back to Step 3 and repeat the pre-treatment, rinsing, and washing process. You might need to try a slightly different cleaning agent if the first one wasn't fully effective (e.g., try shaving cream if dish soap didn't quite work for foundation). Be patient and gentle, and most stains will eventually come out.

Tip: For very tough stains, a pre-wash stain remover designed for grease and oil can be applied directly before washing, following the product's instructions.

Quick Reference

Situation	Use this	Why
Liquid Foundation / Concealer	Liquid laundry detergent or Dish soap	Breaks down oils and pigments effectively.
Lipstick / Mascara / Eyeliner	Rubbing alcohol or Hairspray	Dissolves waxes and oils in these stubborn products.
Powder Blush / Eyeshadow	Sticky tape, then Laundry detergent (if tint remains)	Lifts dry particles without spreading; detergent handles residue.
Water-based makeup (e.g., Tinted moisturisers)	Liquid laundry detergent or Shaving cream	General cleaning agents are usually sufficient for less oily formulas.
General Stubborn Stain	Pre-wash stain remover or repeat steps	Enzymes in removers can break down complex stains; repetition often works.

Common Problems When You Get Makeup Out Of Clothes

Stain Spreading While Cleaning: This is almost always caused by rubbing the stain instead of blotting. Always use a dabbing or blotting motion, working from the outside edge inwards. Use clean sections of your cloth or cotton bud for each dab.
The Stain Isn't Coming Out: Makeup stains can be stubborn. If one method doesn't work completely, don't give up. Try repeating the steps, or switch to a different recommended cleaning agent. For example, if dish soap didn't remove all the foundation, try plain white shaving cream next. Make sure you're using cold water for rinsing and washing.
Fabric Discolouration or Damage: This usually happens if you haven't tested the cleaning solution on an hidden area first. Always perform a spot test, especially on delicate or brightly coloured items. Avoid harsh scrubbing, which can damage fabric fibres. If you notice any discolouration or damage during the test, do not proceed with that method.
Stain Appears to Be Set After Washing: This happens if the garment was dried in a tumble dryer before the stain was fully removed. The heat from the dryer bakes the stain into the fabric, making it very hard, sometimes impossible, to remove. Always air dry and inspect thoroughly before using a dryer. If it's already set, you can try repeating the treatment, but it will be much harder to shift.
Oily Residue Remains After Cleaning: Some oil-based makeup can leave a faint oily mark even after the pigment is gone. This might require an extra application of dish soap or laundry detergent, which are excellent at breaking down grease. A quick soak in a mix of cold water and a little vinegar can also sometimes help with residues, but always test vinegar first.

Advanced Tips for How To Get Makeup Out Of Clothes

Know Your Fabrics: Different fabrics react differently. Cotton and synthetics are generally more resilient, while silk, wool, and rayon are delicate. For very delicate or embellished items, consider taking them to a professional dry cleaner instead of attempting home remedies.
Use White Vinegar for Lingering Odours or Light Stains: If a faint stain or slight odour remains, a mix of equal parts white vinegar and cold water can be a useful soak. Always test vinegar on an inconspicuous area first, as it can be strong. Soak the stained area for 15-30 minutes, then rinse and wash.
Shaving Cream for Foundation Miracles: Plain white shaving cream (the foam, not gel) is surprisingly effective on liquid foundation stains. Apply a dollop directly onto the stain, rub it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water before washing as normal.
Consider a Laundry Pre-Treatment Spray: For regularly encountering makeup stains, having a good quality pre-wash stain remover spray on hand can be very beneficial. Choose one specifically designed for oil and grease stains, and always follow the product instructions carefully.
Prevention is Best: To avoid future stains, consider applying makeup before getting fully dressed, or drape a towel over your clothes while doing your makeup. A simple step can save a lot of hassle.
Old Stains Are Harder, But Not Impossible: Don't despair if you find an old, dried makeup stain. While harder to remove, repeating the steps with patience and possibly soaking the stain for longer in your chosen solution (e.g., a few hours in dish soap and cold water) can still yield results.