What to do right away
Act gently and keep the stain from spreading:
- Remove the garment if practical.
- Lift off thick makeup with the edge of a spoon or dull card.
- Brush away loose powder without pressing it into the fabric.
- Blot liquid makeup with a clean white cloth or paper towel.
- Read the care label before adding water or a cleaning product.
Do not rub the spot in circles. That can spread pigment and oil into a larger area.
Choose the method by makeup type
| Makeup | First step | Pretreatment for washable fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Face powder or blush | Brush or blow off loose powder | Liquid detergent if a mark remains |
| Liquid foundation | Blot excess product | Prewash stain remover or liquid detergent |
| Cream concealer | Lift extra product | Liquid detergent worked in gently |
| Lipstick | Lift waxy excess | Prewash stain remover, then wash |
| Mascara or eyeliner | Blot, do not spread | Liquid detergent or labeled stain remover |
The American Cleaning Institute recommends pretreating cosmetic and lipstick stains with a prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, detergent paste, or bar soap, then laundering. Its stain removal guide also advises checking the stain before machine drying.
How to remove foundation from washable clothes
Most liquid and cream foundations contain pigment plus an oily or creamy base. Handle both parts without scrubbing.
- Lift away extra product.
- Rinse from the back of the stain when the care label allows water.
- Apply liquid laundry detergent or a prewash stain remover.
- Let it sit for the time listed on the product label.
- Wash using the warmest water allowed by the garment label.
- Air-dry and check the spot.
Repeat before machine drying if an oily shadow or pigment remains.
How to get lipstick out of clothes
Lipstick can be stubborn because it combines wax, oil, and color. Scrape off excess product without smearing it. Pretreat the remaining spot with a product labeled safe for the fabric, then launder as directed.
Do not put the garment in the dryer until the stain is gone. The American Cleaning Institute's makeup guidance notes that lipstick may need a second round of pretreatment and washing.
How to remove powder makeup
Do not wet loose powder immediately. Water can turn it into a paste. Shake the garment outdoors, use a clean soft brush, or lift particles with low-tack tape on sturdy fabric. Then treat any remaining color with liquid detergent and wash by the label.
What if the stain is already dry?
Old makeup stains can still improve, but they may need repeated pretreatment. Start with the same fabric-safe method and give the product the full label time. Do not use a stronger chemical just because the first wash did not solve it.
If the garment is valuable, delicate, or dry-clean-only, tell a professional cleaner what caused the stain and any treatment you already tried.
Special care for silk, wool, and delicate clothing
Stop and check the label before using a home stain method. Water, friction, or a stain product can change color or texture. Gently lift surface makeup and take dry-clean-only garments to a cleaner.
For washable delicates, test the treatment on an inside seam. Use cool handling and avoid twisting. The University of Georgia Extension's cosmetics stain guide also separates water-based and oil-based cosmetics and stresses care-label checks.
Use the Laundry Symbol Decoder if the care icons are not clear.
Common mistakes that make makeup stains worse
- Rubbing the stain across a larger area
- Wetting loose powder before brushing it off
- Using hot water without checking the label
- Mixing stain-removal products
- Putting the garment in the dryer before checking it
- Treating dry-clean-only fabric as washable
Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or another cleaner. One correctly used product is safer than an improvised combination.
Frequently asked questions
Does makeup come out in a normal wash?
Some fresh marks do, but pretreating first gives pigment and oil a better chance to lift. Always follow the garment and laundry-product labels.
Can makeup wipes remove makeup from clothing?
They may spread oil, fragrance, or pigment and are not made for every fabric. Use a laundry pretreatment that is labeled for the garment instead.
Can I dry the garment if the stain is faint?
Air-dry it first. Dryer heat can make remaining stains harder to remove.
Two useful next steps
- Check the care label with the Laundry Symbol Decoder and separate washable clothing from items that need a cleaner.
- Pretreat one washable garment, air-dry it after laundering, and inspect it before deciding whether to repeat the process.