How to Remove Stubborn Makeup Stains from Clothes: Your Ultimate Expert Guide

There’s hardly a worse feeling than getting makeup on your favorite clothes. The sight of a fresh lipstick smudge or an accidental foundation spill can instantly make you dread the laundry room, as these stains often appear daunting to remove. However, with the right knowledge and techniques, banishing these blemishes from your garments is entirely achievable. We’ve rounded up a collection of expert-approved solutions that will help you eliminate makeup stains quickly and effectively, ensuring your wardrobe remains pristine.

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Unlock Spotless Clothes: Expert Strategies for Makeup Stain Removal

When it comes to tackling stains on clothing, the internet is flooded with countless tips and tricks. Yet, as many have discovered, not all these remedies deliver on their promises. While quick fixes like using makeup wipes or a sprinkle of salt might offer some help if you catch the stain immediately, these common household solutions often fall short when dealing with more set-in or complex makeup spills. Luckily, we have access to truly effective advice from a leading authority. Mary Johnson, a Principal Scientist at Tide & Downy, generously shared some incredibly helpful solutions with HollywoodLife. These methods are designed to ensure you can confidently get any makeup stain out of your clothes without having to stress or resort to drastic measures.

Johnson’s insights cover a range of innovative yet straightforward hacks, from leveraging specific water temperatures to utilizing the power of everyday dish soap and specialized detergents. Her guidance promises to make the often-frustrating task of stain removal an absolute breeze. Below, we’ll dive into all the essential tips and detailed steps on how to remove various types of makeup stains from your clothes, keeping your garments looking fresh and flawless.

Essential First Steps: General Principles for Effective Stain Removal

Before you begin treating any specific makeup stain, adopting a few general best practices can significantly boost your success rate and protect your clothing. These foundational tips apply to almost any stain removal scenario:

Act Swiftly: The golden rule of stain removal is speed. The sooner you address a makeup stain, the less time it has to bond with the fabric fibers, making it much easier to lift.
Identify the Makeup Type: Understanding the composition of the makeup (e.g., oil-based, powder, pigment-heavy) will guide you toward the most appropriate removal method and products.
Consult the Care Label: Always check your garment’s care label for fabric type and recommended washing instructions. This is crucial for selecting safe water temperatures and cleaning agents.
Test in an Inconspicuous Area: Before applying any cleaning solution directly to the stain, test it on a hidden part of the garment (like an inside seam or hem) to ensure it won’t cause discoloration or damage to the fabric.
Avoid Heat Until Clean: Never put a stained garment in a dryer or apply heat (like ironing) until you are absolutely certain the stain is completely gone. Heat can permanently set stains, making them irreversible.
Blot, Don’t Rub: When applying or removing cleaning agents, always blot the stain gently with a clean cloth or sponge. Rubbing can spread the stain, push it deeper into the fabric, or even damage delicate fibers.

Related: Best Makeup Remover Wipes

Conquering Troublesome Lipstick Stains

Lipstick, with its vibrant pigments and often greasy emollients, can be one of the most stubborn makeup stains to remove. Mary Johnson explains its complexity: “Lipstick is similar to a solid grease that acts as a glue to bind lots of colored pigments together. These pigments are especially attracted to synthetic fibers.” This means a targeted approach is essential to break down both the oily and colored components. Follow these four steps to effectively remove lipstick from your clothes:

Brush Off Excess: Begin by gently brushing off any excess lipstick from the surface of the garment. Use a soft brush, a dull knife, or the edge of a credit card. Be careful not to press the stain further into the fabric or spread it.
Dab with Dish or Hand Soap: Place a clean, dry cloth underneath the lipstick stain. Then, apply a small amount of liquid dish soap or hand soap to a damp cloth. Gently dab the back of the stain, working from the outside edges inwards. The soap helps to emulsify the greasy elements of the lipstick. Exercise caution to avoid transferring the lipstick to a clean section of the garment.
For Heavy Stains – The Freezer Trick: If you’re dealing with a particularly heavy or thick lipstick stain, Mary suggests a pre-treatment in the freezer. Place the stained garment in the freezer for approximately 20 minutes. Once the lipstick has frozen and hardened, you can more easily and gently scrape off any excess frozen stain with a dull knife or spoon. After removing the bulk, proceed with step 2.
Rinse in Warm Water: Once you’ve treated the stain with soap, rinse the affected area thoroughly under warm running water. This helps to dilute the stain and flush away both the dissolved lipstick and the soap residue. Ensure the water flows through the fabric from the back of the stain to effectively push it out.

Tackling Pesky Foundation Marks

Foundation is a ubiquitous product in many makeup routines, and consequently, one of the most frequent culprits for clothing stains. Whether applied with a makeup sponge, a brush, or simply from dressing, liquid or powder foundation can easily transfer onto fabrics, leaving a noticeable mark. Johnson sheds light on its formulation: “Though there are different kinds of foundation, most are formulated with a base that binds lots of colored pigments. Silicone and oil-based foundations are the most difficult to remove, and like lipstick, are especially attracted to synthetic fibers like polyester.” Her solution focuses on specialized detergents designed to break down these complex formulas. Follow these steps to effectively remove foundation:

Remove Loose Excess: Start by gently brushing or scraping off any excess liquid or powder foundation from the surface of the fabric. The goal is to remove as much as possible without pushing the stain deeper.
Rinse to Dilute: Rinse the stained area under warm running water. This initial rinse helps to dilute the foundation and prepare the fabric for deeper cleaning.
Pretreat with Tide Ultra Stain Release: Mary recommends pretreating the stain using Tide Ultra Stain Release. This particular detergent contains special surfactants specifically formulated to break up tough stains like foundation. Pour enough detergent directly onto the garment to completely cover the stain and allow it to penetrate for 20 minutes. For enhanced penetration, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently work the detergent into the fibers of the garment, or gently rub the fabric together.
Wash Without Rinsing Detergent: Crucially, do not rinse off the detergent before placing the garment into your washing machine with other items. Leaving the pretreating detergent on the stain provides an extra boost of cleaning power during the wash cycle. Wash the garment in warm water, using one dose of the appropriate amount of Tide Ultra Stain Release for your specific wash load size.
Inspect Before Drying: After the wash cycle, meticulously inspect the garment. If any trace of the foundation stain remains, repeat steps 3 and 4 immediately. It’s vital to ensure the stain is fully gone before drying, as heat from a dryer can permanently set the stain, making subsequent removal incredibly difficult.

Eradicating Stubborn Self-Tanner Stains

Self-tanner stains are notorious for being one of the most frustrating and common cosmetic mishaps. Many of us have experienced the dismay of finding orange streaks on pillows, sheets, or clothing after applying self-tanner. Johnson provides invaluable insight into the composition of these stains and, more importantly, how to effectively remove them. She explains, “Self-tanners typically contain greasy, oily components, plus, they combine with our greasy natural body soils. DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the primary ingredient in most self-tanners that reacts with skin cells to produce color, is very soluble in water.” She emphasizes, “the key for the removal of self-tanner is to remove the oily components of the product, the greasy oils from our body, and the colorant should also be removed with the right detergent and wash process.”

Here’s Johnson’s recommended approach for tackling self-tanner stains, focusing on powerful, deep cleaning:

Brush Off Any Excess: If you’ve accidentally dropped self-tanner directly onto the fabric, gently brush off any excess from the surface before further treatment.
Rinse Under Warm Water: Rinse the stained area under warm, running water. Mary highlights that “the higher the water pressure, the easier it will be to remove,” as this helps to dilute the water-soluble DHA and dislodge initial residues.
Pretreat with Heavy-Duty Detergent: To effectively break up and remove self-tanner stains, Johnson strongly recommends using a high-quality detergent with specialized surfactants. Specifically, she suggests Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X liquid. This powerful detergent is formulated with surfactants that aggressively break down the greasy components of self-tanner and body oils. It also provides a deep clean, ensuring the removal of both visible and invisible dirt. Pour enough Tide Hygienic Clean directly onto the stain to cover it completely and allow it to sit for 20 minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently spread the detergent into the fabric fibers or gently rub the fabric together.
Wash with Detergent On: Similar to foundation treatment, do not rinse off the detergent before loading the garment into the washing machine with other items. This allows the detergent to continue acting as an intense cleaning booster during the wash cycle. Wash in warm water, using one dose of the appropriate amount of Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy Duty 10X for your specific wash load size.
Thoroughly Check Before Drying: Always inspect the garment carefully after washing. If the stain persists, repeat steps 3 and 4 immediately. Air drying is always the safest option until you are absolutely certain the stain is completely gone, as heat can permanently set it.

Eliminating Troublesome Glitter Sprays and Gels

Glitter has a notorious reputation for clinging everywhere, and clothes are no exception. The tiny, reflective particles seem to defy all attempts at removal, lingering long after you want them gone. Mary Johnson explains that since glitter sprays and gels often incorporate oil-based ingredients and color dyes, a robust detergent is crucial for their removal. Furthermore, the physical nature of glitter necessitates careful handling to prevent potential damage to delicate fabrics.

Shake and Brush Off Loose Glitter: Start by taking the garment outdoors and thoroughly shaking or brushing off all loose glitter. A lint roller can also be remarkably effective at this stage.
Internal Rinse and Tweezers: Turn the garment inside out. Run lukewarm water over the reverse side of the stain, allowing the water pressure to help push glitter particles out from the fabric’s interior. Then, meticulously use tweezers to carefully remove any glitter that stubbornly clings to the fabric. Johnson emphasizes this step because “glitter can have sharp edges which could damage the fibers in the fabrics” if left in during the washing process.
Apply High-Quality Liquid Detergent: Pour a high-quality liquid detergent, such as Tide Ultra Stain Release, directly onto the glitter stain.
Work the Detergent In: Gently rub the fabric together in a circular motion. This action helps to work the detergent deep into the garment’s fibers, beginning the breakdown of the oil-based components that bind the glitter.
Allow to Penetrate: Let the detergent sit on the stain for approximately 20 minutes. This crucial waiting period allows the detergent to fully penetrate and effectively dissolve the adhesive elements of the glitter spray or gel.
Prepare for Washing: To safeguard your garments from potential damage, especially from any remaining glitter particles, turn all clothes inside out before placing them in the washing machine. For delicate items like washable silk, cashmere, or wool, it’s advisable to place them in a mesh laundry bag. Always consult the care label; if it instructs hand washing, follow those instructions precisely.
Wash with Warm Water: Wash the garment in the warmest water setting allowed by its care label. Use one dose of the appropriate amount of Tide Ultra Stain Release, adjusted based on your wash load size.
Air Dry and Reshape: After washing, gently reshape the garment as needed and lay it flat or hang it to air dry. Avoid machine drying until you are completely confident that all glitter has been removed, as heat can embed residual particles.
Repeat if Necessary: If any glitter or residual stain remains after drying, meticulously repeat all the steps above to ensure complete and satisfactory removal.

Keep Your Wardrobe Spotless with Confidence

Dealing with makeup stains on your clothing no longer needs to be a source of frustration or lead to the premature retirement of your favorite garments. By understanding the unique properties of different makeup types and applying these expert-backed techniques from Tide & Downy Principal Scientist Mary Johnson, you are now well-equipped to tackle virtually any spill or smudge with confidence.

Remember the key takeaways: act quickly, choose the right products tailored to the stain type, and meticulously follow the step-by-step instructions. With a little patience, the correct approach, and these invaluable tips, you can keep your clothes looking fresh, clean, and perfectly flawless, always ready for your next impeccable makeup application. Say goodbye to makeup mishap worries and embrace a consistently spotless wardrobe!