How to Remove Makeup Stains

Lipstick, foundation, mascara : makeup stains can be deadly. They can lead you to waste money by taking the stained item to the dry cleaners or using expensive, ineffective industrial products. You risk ending up with a fabric that's still stained and ruined. It's much better to try natural remedies first, which vary depending on the type of makeup that caused the stain and the affected fabric.

Makeup stains can appear completely accidentally, either while applying makeup or through misuse. Think of foundation spilling from the dispenser and spilling onto your shirt. Then you can try baking soda , rubbing it thoroughly into the stain with an old toothbrush. Once the stain is removed, you can even throw the shirt in the washing machine.

Index of topics

Makeup stains on cotton wool

If makeup stains have affected cotton fabric, start by removing the streaks and try removing them with hydrogen peroxide. Foundation can be removed with a spray stain remover, followed by a spray cleanser. For beauty creams, use talcum powder or soapwort, brushing thoroughly after half an hour. Streaks can be removed with a massage with benzene.

Makeup stains on delicate fabrics

Again, your choice of remedy depends on the type of fabric.

On wool: buffer with ether.
On silk: wash with warm water and neutral detergent.
On carpets and rugs: these surfaces come back as good as new using the shampoo special.

Eye pencil stains

Eyeliner stains easily appear whenever you misuse the product. However, if only a small area of fabric is affected (say, a corner of a shirt), it's easy to clean the entire area with this procedure :

Use a wet wipe, and rub it on the area of the stain. Slowly and circularly, moving from the edge towards the center
Continue for a few minutes, until the stain on the fabric has transferred to the towel.
Rinse the stained area with cold water, which will help you to completely eliminate the halo as well
Squeeze the water out of the fabric and dry with a paper towel. Again, slowly.

Lipstick stains

For lipstick stains , the most effective natural remedies are:

Marseille soap. Apply it to the stain and leave it on for at least a quarter of an hour. Do not rub. Then, wash with water.
Breadcrumbs. Again, the process involves two steps. In the first, the breadcrumbs are left on the stain for a few hours to absorb the stain. In the second step, the garment, once dried with the breadcrumbs, is machine washed.
The white vinegar It is particularly suitable for silk, and should be wiped with a damp cloth before washing the garment in lukewarm water.
Sodium percarbonate. Pour it on the stain and let it sit. It's considered an excellent and eco-friendly substitute for bleach.

Mascara or eyeliner stains

For stains of mascara:

Coconut oil or olive oil: These oils are excellent for removing stubborn makeup. Gently dab the oil onto the stain and then wipe with a clean cloth.
Two-phase make-up remover: Two-phase makeup removers, which contain an oily part and an aqueous part, are very effective against mascara and eyeliner.

Makeup stains on hard surfaces

Makeup stains can also affect some hard surfaces, such as the sink or kitchen counter. In this case, use:

Multi-purpose disinfectant or cleaner: A surface cleaner or a mild disinfectant to remove makeup residue is suitable for this type of cleaning. Apply directly to the stain and rub with a cloth.

Makeup stains on carpets

If makeup stains reach the carpet area, specific remedies are needed. For example:

Vinegar and mild detergent: mix one part of white vinegar with one part warm water and a little mild detergent. Use a clean cloth to dab the stain and rinse with warm water.
Fabric softener and water: Another method is to mix water and fabric softener in a 2:1 ratio, dabbing the stain and then rinsing.

How to recycle expired cosmetics

There's no need to persist with expired cosmetics. Instead, they can be reused in many useful ways, and thanks to creative recycling, you'll find yourself with original greeting cards or glitter for decorations.

How to remove makeup stains