How To Get Makeup Like Foundation Out of Your Clothes

One wrong move and you now have foundation all over your favorite top. You're unsure what to do, but you have a sinking feeling your blouse will never look the same. Thankfully, it may not be ruined if you act fast. 

There are a lot of different things you can try to remove the stain before it sets. When you know what to do, the foundation will vanish before your eyes, and you can breathe a sigh of relief. 

We are going to go over various types of makeup stains and how you can get them out. We will also go over what not to do, which is equally important. 

How To Get Out Oil-Based Foundation Stains 

There are different types of oils found in the ingredients of various foundations. If yours does have oil in it, you can think of it as a grease stain. Thankfully, many household items contain grease fighters in them, like dish soap and laundry detergent.

Here are step-by-step directions to remove a liquid oil-based foundation stain. 

1. You have to act fast because it's much harder to get stains out after they set. Remove your clothes immediately and gently scrape off as much product from the surface as you can without rubbing it in.
2. Next, put your clothes under running cold water to dilute the stain.
3. After you've removed as much product as possible, it's time to treat the stain. Grab your dish soap and apply a few drops to the area. You can dab it in or use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub it out. Once you feel like you've worked the dish soap into the stain, let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
4. Finally, put the clothes into the wash without rinsing them off. The dish soap will continue to help lift the stain while it's in the washer. 
5. Once it's done, take a look at the clothes before you put them in the dryer. The dryer will set any remaining stain, and it will be next to impossible to remove it after it dries. If you still see foundation, repeat steps three to five before drying.

These steps work best on cotton or poly-blend fabrics. If you've stained wool or silk clothes, you should try to take them right to a dry cleaner. If you try to clean them yourself, you could end up doing more harm than good. 

How To Remove Oil-Free Foundation Stains

Not all foundations are made with oil, and these products are generally easier to get out of clothes. For example, HIDE Premium Foundation is a water-based product formulated to be transfer-resistant, so you don't have to worry about hugging someone! It won't rub off on someone's shoulder or your clothes easily. 

Many different products can help you remove an oil-free foundation stain. You can still use dish soap or laundry detergent, but rubbing alcohol and foam shaving cream also works. 

Here are the steps you need to take to remove the stain. 

1. Grab your foam shaving cream and apply it to the area. 
2. Let the shaving cream soak into the stain for a few minutes. 
3. Next, rub the stain to break apart the foundation on the fabric. 
4. Finally, rinse the stain under cold water and watch it disappear. 
5. If it's an extra stubborn stain, you can add a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the mix with the shaving cream.
6. Repeat the steps until the stain is gone. 
7. Use a towel to pat the stained area dry because dabbing may help lift any last remaining foundation out.
8. Once the stain is mostly gone, put it in the wash for the finishing touches. 

Oil-free stains don't usually put up as much of a fight as oil-based ones. However, you still want to act fast before the stain sets. You also want to make sure it's gone before you put your clothes in the dryer. 

How To Get Out Powder Foundation Stains 

A powder foundation stain or any powder mark is also removable. Since you are dealing with loose particles, be careful when removing the clothing item because it can spread to other areas. You also want to avoid pressing the product even more into the fabric. 

Follow these steps to remove a powdered makeup stain. 

1. Try to shake off as much of the powder foundation as possible. You can blow some of the product off or gently brush it off. You just want to be careful not to press the powder into the clothes. 
2. Next, rinse out the stain using warm water. A high-pressure faucet can help push more powder out. 
3. After the initial rinse, grab liquid laundry detergent and cover the stain completely. At this point, you can work it into the stain by gently rubbing the detergent into the fabric. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
4. Finally, place the clothes into the washer and place the temperature on warm water. 
5. After it's done, check to see if the stain is gone. If it isn't, repeat steps three and four before drying.

A powder stain is one of the only times you can use warm water to treat a stain. When it comes to liquid foundation stains and other stains, like a mustard stain, you want to use cold water. Warm water can often set stains and make them almost impossible to remove. Try to check to see what temperature of water to use before you begin. 

Removing Other Makeup Stains

There is a lot of makeup besides foundation that can end up on your clothes. Let's go over some of the other possible stains you can get from cosmetics. 

Lipstick Stains 

A lipstick stain can be even worse than an oil-based foundation stain. Lipsticks are usually oil-based and brightly pigmented, making them a double whammy. 

Lipsticks also have wax in the ingredients, which makes them different from liquid makeup stains. However, have no fear. If you catch it before it sets, you should be able to get it out!

The first thing you should try is dish soap for its grease-fighting power.  Apply the soap right on the stain and wait five minutes before using water. Next, apply a small amount of water and scrub the area with a soft toothbrush. You might have to do each step a few times before the stain comes out. 

Mascara Stain 

While mascara can make your lashes look long and full, it can be an eyesore if it ends up on your clothes. Similar to lipstick, mascara is made from oil, wax, and pigment, making it difficult to get it out of clothes. 

If it's a waterproof mascara stain, you want to start with a makeup wipe or a liquid makeup remover. However, you don't want to rub directly on the stain. Instead, turn the clothes inside out and wipe on the back of the stain to push the mascara out. 

After the makeup remover, use dish soap and allow it to soak before running it through the wash. If it's still there, you can try a fabric-safe bleach. 

In Summary 

A makeup stain is never a fun thing to deal with, but there are ways to remove it from your clothes. No matter what made the stain, remember to never put your clothes in the dryer if you still see the stain since this will set it permanently. 

Oil-based stains are a little trickier to treat than oil-free stains, so be sure to consider this when picking your cleaning solution. HIDE products are transfer-proof and will only end up on your clothes if you put them there!

 

Sources:

Why Does Dish Soap Cut Grease? | Hunker

How to Get Makeup Out of Clothes — Foundation, Lipstick & Mascara Stains | Reader’s Digest

Lipstick Ingredients, Shades, Application, Stains, and More | Web MD