remove makeup stains

How To Remove Makeup Stains

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Steven Toltz

If you’ve worn makeup, you’ve probably had the horrible experience of ruining a favorite top, dress, or pair of pants with foundation, lipstick, or other type of cosmetic. Whether you’re wearing everyday makeup, have a fully-done face for a wedding or fancy event, or are sporting theatrical makeup for a costume, normal stain-removing tricks won’t work to restore your item back to its former glory. Luckily, the experts at Dependable Cleaners are here to give you the inside scoop into how to remove makeup stains.  

Why are Makeup Stains So Hard to Remove? 

Normal stain-fighting techniques don’t work on makeup for one simple reason: all makeup, whether waterproof or not, is oil-based. Since oil and water don’t mix, water will simply bead up on top of the stain. To effectively remove a makeup stain, you’ll need to break down the oil. The next time you find yourself fighting a splotch of makeup, keep these tips in mind: 

1.  Try a Mixture of Dish Soap and Water 

If you’re in a pinch and need to wash your item at home, mix liquid dish soap with water. Dish soap is formulated to break down oil, so by putting it on the stain and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes, you’ll have a good chance at removing the oil from your clothing. Once you’ve worked the mixture into the fabric and given it the chance to sink it, put your garment in the washing machine.

2.  Forget the Old Wives’ Tales 

Forget the shaving cream, hairspray, lysol, or any other strange things you may have read on the internet or heard from family members. According to the stain experts, these have little to no effect on fighting makeup stains, and can actually discolor your clothing. 

3.  Take it to the Dry Cleaners 

If you want a guaranteed method for removing makeup stains, take your clothing to the dry cleaners. Dependable Cleaners’ oil-based dry cleaning solution makes it almost effortless to remove makeup stains, even if you don’t take it in immediately. No matter what type of fabric you’ve stained, a good dry cleaner can remove the stain safely and easily. Plus, with convenient options like 24-hour kiosks, free pickup and delivery, and over 20 locations in Colorado, you’ll be able to rock that outfit again before you know it. Find a location near you now!

Related Article: What Stains Can Dry Cleaning Remove?