Stain Removal from Clothes: Makeup and Foundation Tips

If you've spilled liquid foundation on your clothes, removing the oil-based product is your first priority. You don't have to treat stain removal like a dreaded household chore. There are simple steps available to remove a makeup or foundation stain from your garment without dry cleaning.

To prevent delicate clothes from ruin, you can spot treat these stains with ease. For users of liquid foundation, you'll need a trusted makeup removal method for an accidental spill.

Things you'll need to remove makeup stains:

Small bristle brush

Small white cloths

Pre-wash stain remover

Dry cleaning solvent

Chlorine bleach

All fabric bleach

Baby wipes

Identify the stained material. Non-washable garments made of wool, rayon and poly-blends and some silks require dry-cleaning solvents to remove makeup stains. While washable garments such as nylon, polyester, cotton, spandex and linen use a pre-wash stain remover to dissolve foundation stains.

Brush the garment to loosen the foundation and makeup stain. Using a small bristle brush, gently sweep the dried foundation off the fabric. Brush in a circular motion to loosen the makeup; but take extra care not to make the stain larger.

Apply a stain remover to the fabric. Depending upon the fabric, treat the stain with a pre-wash removal product or dry cleaning solvent. Using a white cloth and the cleaning solvent, press the solution gently into the fabric. Avoid damaging the garment, by following the directions provided by the manufacturer of the stain remover.

Allow the cloth to remain on top of the fabric for 10 minutes to transfer the cleaning solution to the stained garment completely.

Flush the makeup stain with cold water. Rinse the stain with water to remove the last layers of foundation residue contained in the garment. If makeup remains at this step, apply a dry cleaning solvent to the stain to lift the foundation. Use a clean white cloth to dab the solvent on the stain.

Let the solvent remain on the fabric for an additional 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Launder using appropriate bleach. For white fabrics, mix ¼ cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of cold water. Soak for 5 minutes and launder as usual. For colored fabrics, washable silks and woolens, apply all fabric bleach into the wash cycle.

When using bleach to submerge the entire garment in the solution to prevent uneven color fading and damage to the fabric.

Additional Makeup & Stain Removal From Clothes Tips:

1) Treat a makeup stain immediately or within 12 hours of the spill. New stains are easier to treat than older ones.

2) Follow the manufacturer's suggested cleaning instructions for the fabric.

3) Use a baby wipe to rid your garment of makeup stains, when you are away from home and do not have access to cleaning products.

4) Before treating a makeup stain with a cleaning solvent or bleach, test the fabric for colorfastness.

5) Avoid hot water and a hot dryer. The heat can set a foundation stain permanently.