Kristi Kellogg, Glamour
One truth universally acknowledged is that regardless of your level of hand-eye coordination, makeup
spills and smudges are bound to happen. And when they do, you're left
wondering how to get makeup out of clothes, ideally without making the
stain look worse. We've got eight genius solutions for getting makeup
stains out of your clothes fast and easy.
[post_ads_2]
1. Use a Makeup Wipe
Makeup wipes don't just work on your face--they can actually help get makeup off your clothes. It's an old backstage trick you can occasionally spot at fashion shows
when makeup artists realize they've smeared something on themselves
while trying to protect the models' clothes. It's sneaky and it works.
Just grab one and gently blot or rub until the offending makeup stain is
lifted away.
A couple of things to remember:
This is most effective on a fresh spill that hasn't had time to dry or
set. And you've got to spot-test anything that you aren't sure is
colorfast or that might water-spot like silk on an area that doesn't
show before going to town on it—you don't want to ruin anything
delicate. But on things like cotton? Makeup wipes are basically a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for makeup on clothes.
2. Rubbing Alcohol
Soak
a cotton ball or the tip of a washcloth in rubbing alcohol and then rub
it over the makeup stain. Rubbing alcohol is particularly effective at
removing lipstick stains, since alcohol can break down oily and waxy
stains.
[post_ads_2]
3. Shaving Cream
Who
knew shaving cream can lift a stain? Apply a squirt or two the stain
and let it sit for ten minutes. During that time, the cream will
dissolve the stain. After ten minutes, wipe off the shaving cream with
cold water.
4. A Blow Dryer
If
you use any kind of loose powder on your face, you know how frustrating
it can be if you spill it on your clothes (especially if it's light
powder on dark fabric). Any attempt to wipe it away is met with a
smeared mess that's even more noticeable than the original dots of
powder were. So what do you? Grab a blow dryer. Blast the powder off the
fabric and you're good to go.
5. Hairspray
Who
knew? Hairspray can actually help you get rid of a tricky lipstick
stain. Apply hairspray to the stain and let it dry. Let the hairspray
dry and follow up with a wet wipe. Note: this only works if the
hairspray contains alcohol. Alcohol-free hairsprays will do nothing for a
makeup stain.
[post_ads_2]
6. Ice, Ice Baby
Applying
ice cubes is another way to get makeup out of clothes. Grab a cube and
rub it vigorously on stain. Ice (and cold water) works to lift a stain,
while using hot water during a spot treatment can actually spread the
stain. Avoid hot water at all costs when trying to spot treat a minor
makeup stain. Save the hot water for when you toss in the washer.
7. Soap and Water
If all you have on hand is soap and water, you can still try to get a makeup stain out. Just don't grab a paper towel or napkin. Instead, dab cold water on the stain and the teensiest
spot of soap. Then, rub the fabric against itself and allow the
friction to lift the stain. This is better than using a paper product,
as it can flake off and leave the fabric smeared with little white bits,
potentially make the stained area look even worse until you're able to
give it a proper washing.
[post_ads_2]
8. Detergent Pens and Detergent Wipes
Designed for treating stains on the go, detergent pens like Tide to Go
can provide a quick fix. For the best result, make sure to blot off any
excess gunk off your fabric before taking applying the pen to it. When
you press the tip into the clothing, the detergent solution will come
out. Rub the tip of the detergent pen against the fabric until the stain
starts to come off. Then, wipe off any extra solution. Detergent pens
are reusable and safe to apply to most fabrics, including those labeled
"dry clean only."
Similarly, detergent wipes like Shout Wipe and Go
are also great for throwing in your purse or backpack. They work just
like detergent pens, except the stain removing solution is soaked in a
wipe rather than delivered through a pen. They're always great to have
on hand when you need an immediate solution for how to remove liquid
foundation from clothes quickly (and all other makeup stains).
