How to Get Makeup Off Clothes: Foundation, Mascara & Glitter

To get makeup off clothes, lift away excess product, blot without rubbing, then pre-treat washable fabric with a suitable liquid laundry detergent. Wash according to the care label and check the stain before tumble drying. Keep loose powder dry until you have removed as much as possible.

Foundation on your collar can leave you wondering whether a quick bathroom rescue will help. The answer depends on the makeup and fabric. A cotton T-shirt and a sequinned dress need different treatment, even when the stains look identical.

Here is how to handle the mark while you are out, then clean the item properly at home.

How to get makeup off clothes while you are still out

At Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations and weddings, remove excess makeup without spreading it. Finish treating washable clothes at home.

1. Check the label: Avoid wet treatments on dry-clean-only clothes or anything you cannot identify confidently.
2. Lift, then blot: Lift excess cream with a spoon edge. Blot liquid marks with a clean white cloth, changing areas as the colour transfers.
3. Keep powder dry: Gently shake off loose particles before adding water.
4. Use minimal moisture: On washable, colourfast fabric, use a cloth that is lightly dampened with cool water. Test a hidden area first.

Makeup wipes and micellar water are not suitable for every outfit. Leave them in your bag if you cannot test them first.

How to get foundation off clothes

Remove excess foundation first. These methods apply to washable garments that tolerate the chosen cleaning product.

Makeup type	Remove excess first	Treat the remaining mark
Liquid or cream foundation	Lift gently with a spoon edge	Fabric-suitable liquid laundry detergent
Powder foundation or blusher	Shake off dry particles	Detergent after loose powder is gone
Mascara or eyeliner	Lift surface product without smearing	A suitable laundry pre-treatment
Loose glitter	Collect with a tested lint roller	Treat any cosmetic adhesive separately

Liquid or cream foundation

1. Lift away the excess without pressing it into the fabric.
2. Put a clean white cloth beneath the stained area.
3. Gently apply liquid laundry detergent suitable for pre-treatment and the fabric.
4. Follow the product’s contact time, then rinse or wash as directed.
5. Check the result before drying.

On suitable washable fabric, a little washing-up liquid, called dish soap in the US, can loosen oily foundation. Rinse thoroughly before machine washing; never substitute it for machine detergent. Clorox also recommends dish soap or detergent for foundation oils.

Powder foundation, blusher or bronzer

Shake the garment over a surface you can clean. A lightly applied lint roller can lift powder from robust fabric; test first. Pre-treat any remaining mark, then wash as labelled.

How to get mascara and eyeliner out of clothes

Start with a suitable liquid laundry detergent or prewash stain remover, including for many waterproof formulas.

1. Carefully lift any excess product. Do not wipe wet mascara across the fabric.
2. Place a clean white cloth underneath the mark.
3. Apply a pre-treatment approved for the fabric and follow its directions.
4. Wash at a temperature permitted by the care label.
5. Inspect before applying drying heat.

Tide recommends detergent for mascara’s oils, waxes and dyes. An oil-based makeup remover is not a compulsory first step for waterproof formulas. If the stain persists, repeat the approved treatment or seek professional advice. Do not keep adding different bathroom products.

How to get lipstick out of clothes

Lift away excess lipstick, blot gently and pre-treat washable fabric with suitable liquid laundry detergent. Check the care label before washing, and keep the item away from the tumble dryer until the mark has gone. For the full method, including stubborn or dried marks, read our guide to getting rid of lipstick stains.

How to get glitter out of clothes

Remove loose glitter before washing to limit its spread to other items.

1. Collect loose pieces: Work over paper or a tray, then bin the collected glitter.
2. Try a lint roller: Use it gently on suitable fabric, testing an inside area first. Low-tack tape may also help, but avoid adhesives on delicate surfaces or embellishments.
3. Check for adhesive: Glitter gel leaves a different residue from loose glitter. Treat it only with a product suitable for the garment.
4. Wash if the label allows: After removing loose particles, turn the item inside out and wash separately.
5. Inspect the machine: Wipe visible particles from the drum and accessible door seal, following the machine’s care instructions.

This advice concerns loose cosmetic glitter. Do not try to strip off glitter that forms part of the garment’s decoration.

How to clean makeup-stained clothes properly at home

At home, use our Label, Lift, Treat, Check checklist:

• Label: Check washing, bleaching and drying instructions.
• Lift: Remove excess makeup before wetting the mark.
• Treat: Use one fabric-suitable pre-treatment as directed.
• Check: Inspect the stain before applying drying or ironing heat.

Use our laundry symbol guide if the label needs decoding.

Cold water is not compulsory for every makeup stain. The American Cleaning Institute recommends pre-treatment followed by washing at the hottest temperature safe for the fabric. Never exceed the care label’s limit. In its 2019 survey, 52% of US adults used cold water for at least half their main wash cycles. Each stain still needs an individual assessment. After washing, check the area in good light. If you are unsure whether the mark remains, air-dry as the label allows and inspect again before ironing.

What to do with makeup on silk, sequins or velvet

Check the garment’s care instructions. Silk, velvet, linings and decorative trims can react differently to water, solvents and rubbing.

For dry-clean-only clothing, remove loose excess without adding water or home stain removers. Seek professional advice if you cannot identify the fabric or safely test a treatment.

Some sequinned garments allow gentle washing, while others need specialist care. Dry cleaning is not automatically suitable for every embellished outfit either; the label and construction govern the choice.

Our silk stain guide and Dry Cleaning 101 explain further considerations. Tell the cleaner what caused the mark and which products you have already applied.

For an outfit that needs professional care, book your dry cleaning with Laundryheap. Check the available service for your address and garment.

What should you remember before treating makeup stains?

• Check the garment and cleaning-product instructions first.
• Remove loose powder and glitter before washing.
• Pre-treat suitable washable fabrics with laundry detergent.
• Avoid rubbing, improvised product mixtures and premature drying heat.
• Seek professional advice for delicate or dry-clean-only items.

Knowing how to get makeup off clothes starts with the fabric, then the stain. If your outfit needs professional attention or you would rather hand over the cleaning, Laundryheap can help with collection and delivery. Arrange a Laundryheap collection near you and tell us about the makeup stain when booking.