How to Remove Makeup Stains
Written by Shannon, Owner and Founder of Long Island MaidsFoundation on your collar, lipstick on your pillowcase, mascara on your towels—makeup stains are incredibly common. The key to removing them is matching your treatment to the type of makeup.
Oil-based (foundation, concealer, primer): Use dish soap or shaving cream. Waxy (lipstick, lip liner): Use rubbing alcohol. Water-based (some mascaras): Soap and water often works. Waterproof: Use oil-based removers or micellar water.
- Dish soap
- Rubbing alcohol
- Makeup remover or micellar water
- Shaving cream (foam, not gel)
- White cloths or paper towels
- Hydrogen peroxide (for whites)
Foundation & Concealer Stains
Foundation is oil-based and often contains pigments that can set quickly. Act fast for best results.
Blot—Don't Rub
Use a clean cloth to blot up any excess makeup. Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into fabric fibers.
Apply Dish Soap or Shaving Cream
Put a small amount of liquid dish soap directly on the stain and work it in gently with your fingers. Alternatively, spray foam shaving cream on the stain—it's surprisingly effective on foundation. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
Rinse with Warm Water
Rinse from the back of the fabric to push the stain out rather than through. Check progress—if stain remains, repeat the treatment.
Wash as Normal
Launder in the warmest water safe for the fabric. Air dry and verify the stain is gone before using the dryer.
Lipstick Stains
Lipstick is waxy and often highly pigmented, making it one of the trickier makeup stains.
Place a paper towel behind the stain. Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and dab the stain from the outside in. The lipstick will transfer to your cloth and the paper towel. Keep moving to clean areas of the cloth. Follow with dish soap and wash.
Spray alcohol-based hairspray directly on the lipstick stain. Let sit 10 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth. The alcohol dissolves the waxy base. Rinse and wash as normal.
Mascara & Eyeliner Stains
Regular Mascara
- Let it dry completely—wet mascara smears
- Gently brush off any dried flakes
- Apply dish soap and work in gently
- Rinse with cold water and wash
Waterproof Mascara
- Apply makeup remover or oil (coconut oil works well) to break down the formula
- Let sit 5 minutes
- Blot with a clean cloth
- Treat with dish soap to remove the oil
- Wash as normal
Liquid Eyeliner
Most liquid eyeliners are water-based. Rinse with cold water first, then treat with dish soap. For gel or waterproof liner, use the mascara method with makeup remover.
Makeup on Pillowcases & Sheets
Sleeping in makeup leads to stubborn, set-in stains. Here's how to tackle them:
- Pre-treat before washing: Apply dish soap or shaving cream to all visible stains
- Let it work: Leave the pre-treatment on for 15-30 minutes
- Wash in warm water: Use a good laundry detergent with enzymes
- Add oxygen bleach: OxiClean or similar for white or light-colored sheets
- Air dry and check: Repeat if any stains remain
Makeup on Carpet & Upholstery
Carpet
- Scrape off any excess makeup with a dull knife
- Apply rubbing alcohol to a white cloth (not directly to carpet)
- Dab the stain, working from outside in
- Mix 1 tsp dish soap with 1 cup warm water
- Apply solution and blot until stain lifts
- Rinse by blotting with plain water
- Dry with a fan to prevent mold
Upholstery
Check the care tag first:
- W (water-safe): Use the carpet method above
- S (solvent-only): Use rubbing alcohol or dry cleaning solvent
- WS (either): Start with water-based methods
- X (vacuum only): Call a professional
Quick Reference by Makeup Type
- Foundation/Concealer: Dish soap or shaving cream → warm water
- Lipstick: Rubbing alcohol → dish soap → wash
- Regular mascara: Let dry → brush off → dish soap
- Waterproof mascara: Oil-based remover → dish soap → wash
- Powder (blush, eyeshadow): Shake off excess → dish soap → wash
- Bronzer/Highlighter: Treat like foundation (often oil-based)
- Setting spray: Usually water-based—rinse with water, then wash
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to remove foundation stains?
Foundation is oil-based, so use dish soap or shaving cream (foam, not gel). Apply directly to the stain, work in gently, let sit 5-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Micellar water also works excellently since it's designed to dissolve makeup.
How do I get lipstick out of fabric?
Lipstick is waxy and pigmented. Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and dab the stain from outside in. The alcohol dissolves the waxy base, releasing the pigment. Follow with dish soap treatment, then launder as normal.
Can I remove waterproof mascara stains?
Yes, but waterproof formulas need oil-based removers. Apply makeup remover, coconut oil, or micellar water to the stain, let sit 5 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, then treat with dish soap to remove the oil before washing.
Why do I keep getting makeup stains on my pillowcases?
Sleeping in makeup causes stubborn, set-in stains. Prevention is best—remove makeup before bed. For existing stains, pre-treat with dish soap or shaving cream for 15-30 minutes before washing with enzyme detergent. Add oxygen bleach for white pillowcases.
Can I put makeup-stained clothes in the dryer?
Never dry makeup-stained items until you're certain the stain is completely gone. Heat permanently sets makeup stains, especially lipstick and foundation. Always air dry and check in good light before machine drying.
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