How to Remove Makeup Stains from Clothes, Carpet,and Upholstery

__Makeup can help you look your best and give you confidence, but not if it gets on your clothes – or anywhere else that isn’t your skin, for that matter. __

Let Tide help get rid of common makeup stains such as lipstick, foundation, and blush; take care of your garments; and answer frequently asked questions such as how to get makeup out of carpet and upholstery, so both you and your surroundings can always look their best.

General Guide on How to Get Makeup Stains Out of Clothes

If you’re using makeup, it’s only a matter of time before you end up with some on your favourite garment. Instead of letting yourself fall into the depths of despair, read our comprehensive guide on makeup-stain removal and learn how to get makeup off your white shirt for good!

Step 1

Remove excess

If you notice a splotch of cosmetics on the fabric, grab a dull knife or a spoon and gently scrape off what you can without rubbing the stain particles deeper into the fabric. You will also want to brush off any remaining excess from the garment before rinsing it under running water. The higher the water pressure, the easier it will be to remove.

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How to Remove Specific Makeup Stains

Here, we will give you a quick rundown on the stain removal of some specific makeup types. Note that the general makeup stain removal guide applies here as well.

How to Remove Lipstick Stains from Clothes

A touch of lipstick can really make you look your best, but not when it gets on your blouse. Lipstick stains rank high in the most-difficult-to-remove category. That’s because they’re not only brightly coloured but also oil-based. The key to treating lipstick stains is to act fast, but even if your stain has had some time to set, you’re not out of luck.

Developed from years of laundry know-how, Tide Ultra OXI High-Efficiency Liquid detergent fights grease stains with its built-in pre-treaters and enzymes to help save your favourites from a stray lipstick smear. Just avoid drying the garment until you're satisfied that the stain has dissolved, as heat will likely set the stain permanently.

How to Remove Foundation Stains from Clothes

When looking for that flawless finish to your look, liquid foundation definitely looks better on your skin than on your shirt. Fortunately for your favourites, removing liquid foundation stains from your clothes is pretty easy when you have the cleaning power of Tide to rely on.

Start by pre-treating the stain with a few drops of Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid. Gently work the detergent into the stain with a soft-bristled brush and let it remain on the fabric for 5 to 10 minutes. Blot away any detergent residue with a paper towel and rinse the stained area in hot water, before placing the garment inside your washer and washing it on the highest temperature indicated on the care label.

How to Remove Mascara Stains from Clothes

Mascara is meant to draw everyone’s gaze into your eyes, not onto that black stain on your collar. The good news is we can help you get that mascara smudge off your favourite clothes with a few easy tips.

Since mascaras are formulated from oils, waxes, and dyes, you’ll need to start by pre-treating the stain with a bit of detergent. Give the detergent 15 minutes before gently scrubbing it off with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinsing the stained area in hot water. Next, wash as usual on the hottest safe water temperature. After washing, check if the stain is still visible and repeat if necessary.

How to Remove Blush or Bronzer Stains from Clothes

Faced with a blush or bronzer stain on your fancy new dress? Tide is here to help! First, grab a sticky lint roller to lift away the powdery substance from the fabric. Now comes the pre-treating: Apply a bit of laundry detergent on a cotton ball, and gently dab the stained area before rinsing the garment in cold water to remove any possible detergent residue. When you’re finished, load the garment inside your washing machine, add detergent, and wash on the hottest water setting indicated on the care label.

Removing Makeup Stains Without Washing

You’ve got no time to run a lengthy wash, but you’d still like to get rid of that unsightly black stain from your blouse? Let us give you two tried-and-true DIY methods for removing makeup stains without washing:

Hair Spray

Using a hair spray with a high alcohol content, spray the stained area, and allow the hair spray to harden into the fabric. Now, grab a clean paper towel and dip it into cold water, careful not to completely soak it. Next, blot the stained area with the damp paper towel to remove the makeup along with the hair spray, and repeat the steps until necessary.

Ice Cube

Quickly scrape away the top layer of the product from your fabric with a spoon, or preferably, a plastic knife. Take an ice cube, press it onto the stain, and rub it in a circular motion. Keep going until the makeup has been completely lifted from the fabric. Finally, blot and dry the wet area with a paper towel, removing most of the makeup. Repeat the process until the stain is no longer visible.

How to Get Makeup Out of Carpet and Upholstery

Getting a bit of bronzer or mascara on your furnishings is not the end of the world. Just act fast and follow the below steps and your carpet and upholstery will be makeup-free in no time.

Step 1. Remove excess: Lift away as much of the product as possible using the edge of a spoon or a dull knife. Make sure not to wipe it, as that will only push the stain molecules deeper into the fabric of your carpet or upholstery, making it that much harder to remove.
Step 2. Prepare a solution: Mix one tablespoon of Tide liquid laundry detergent in two cups of hot water. Dip a sponge or a clean white cloth in the solution, and gently blot the stain, working from the outside edge toward the center, until no more color is transferred to the cloth.
Step 3. Rinse: Dip another cleaning cloth in cold water and remove any possible detergent residue from the stained area, preventing the soapy solution from attracting even more dirt particles.
Step 4. Blot dry: Grab a few sheets of paper towels and soak up the moisture from your carpet and upholstery, then allow the fabric to dry.

Repeat until the stain is completely gone.

In case you’ve accidentally rubbed lipstick or spilled liquid foundation on a vintage furnishing, your best bet is to call a professional cleaner.

Products to treat makeup stains