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Easily Remove Makeup Stains from Clothing – Here’s How

Here we reveal how to remove make-up stains from clothing without any problems
Here, we reveal how to remove makeup stains from clothing without any problems Photo: Halyna Romaniv / Getty Images

December 20, 2024, 2:14 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Every woman knows it: in winter, it’s easy to get an unsightly makeup stain on your thick winter jacket. Or you accidentally spill foundation on your jeans when getting ready in the morning. Annoying! STYLEBOOK knows the best tips and tricks to quickly get rid of stains.

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Whether it’s a stray lipstick on the collar, foundation on the blouse, or mascara on the pillowcase – such mishaps happen faster than you think. However, with the right methods and household remedies, these makeup stains can be effectively removed from clothing.

Immediate Measures for Makeup Stains

Quick Action is Crucial

The fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove. As soon as you notice a makeup stain, you should act immediately to prevent the substances from becoming embedded in the fibers.

Gentle Dabbing Instead of Rubbing

Use a clean, dry cloth to gently dab off excess makeup. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can drive the stain deeper into the fabric.

Avoid Heat

Do not expose the stain to heat. Use cold water for initial cleaning, and then wash the garment at a maximum of 30 degrees. High temperatures can set the stain and make it difficult to remove.

Turn Garments Inside Out

By turning the garment inside out, you can treat the stain from the inside out, which enables gentler removal on delicate fabrics.

Use These Home Remedies to Remove Various Makeup Stains from Clothing

Foundation and Concealer

  • Baking soda: Lightly moisten the stain and sprinkle one to two teaspoons of baking soda on top. Work the powder in gently until a light foam forms. After an hour, remove the foam with a cloth and wash the garment at 30 degrees.
  • Gall soap: This traditional soap effectively dissolves grease. Moisten the stain, apply the gall soap and rub it in gently. Then rinse with lukewarm water.

Lipstick

  • Dish soap: Apply a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the stain, lather it up slightly, and leave it to work for about 15 minutes. Then wipe off with a dry cloth and rinse with water.
  • Hairspray: Spray the stain with hairspray, leave it to work for ten minutes, and carefully brush off the residue with a toothbrush.

Mascara

  • Makeup remover or micellar water: Apply a few drops to the stain and leave to work for ten minutes. Then, carefully dab it off with a cloth and rinse with lukewarm water.
  • Gall soap: Gall soap can also work wonders here. Apply it to the moistened stain, leave it on, and then rinse thoroughly.

Powder and Eye Shadow

  • Hairdryer: Use the cold setting on your hairdryer to gently blow the powder particles out of the fabric.
  • Nylon tights: Rub the stain with an old pair of nylon tights to remove the fine particles.

Ice Cube Trick For Creamy Textures

If the stain is fresh and the makeup texture is creamy or greasy, an ice cube can help. Gently rub the stain with it – the cold will prevent the stain from setting deeper into the fabric.

Treating Stubborn and Older Stains

Gall soap is particularly effective for dried stains. Moisten the stain, apply the soap, and leave it to work for at least an hour. Then, wash the garment at 30 degrees. But be careful: for delicate fabrics such as silk, velvet, or wool, it is better to leave the cleaning to the professionals. They have special agents and techniques to gently clean the clothing without damaging the fabric.

More on the topic

Prevent Makeup Stains from Forming in the First Place

Another practical trick to prevent makeup stains is to use a fixing spray. This product not only protects the makeup but also prevents any residue from settling on clothing. Simply spray it on your face as a final step – this will keep your look flawless for longer and protect your clothes. An alternative to this is a loose, transparent powder. It sets the makeup just as reliably and ensures that it does not show up so easily on textiles.

Choosing the right materials for your clothes can also be helpful. Fabrics such as polyester are easier to clean than delicate materials such as silk or wool and are, therefore, a good choice if there is a risk of stains. For added protection, a silk scarf or thin shawl can also be worn around your collar.

If you want to go one step further, you can wear aprons – what works reliably in the kitchen will certainly do the same in front of the makeup mirror!

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of STYLEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@petbook.de.

Topics Beauty-Hack Haushalt Life Hacks Waschen
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