My mom’s 3 tips for cleaning makeup stains are perfect for any accidental spill

There are several reasons we always want to avoid getting makeup on our clothing and upholstery. Not only can it be expensive, but makeup stains are some of the most tricky to remove.

My mom has been wearing makeup since the 1980s, so she has had plenty of experience in doing laundry to remove makeup stains from clothing, as well as getting rid of it from upholstery too. As a result, she has built up a small arsenal of the best ways to clean makeup stains so there is little to no trace left behind. 

There are three methods she falls back on every time, so discover how you can use them at home. 

Simple tips for how to clean makeup stains 

Using the right cleaning tips the first time is essential when dealing with makeup stains, as the wrong products and techniques can make the problem worse. I learned this the hard way when I spilled foundation on my favorite dress a few years back and tried to remove it without asking for help.

Here is how to get it right.

1. Use makeup remover on clothing

As my mom would say, it is called makeup remover for a reason. 'Given that it is so good at breaking down makeup oils on our faces, it makes sense that it would be ideal for removing makeup stains on clothing too,' she says. 

The trick is to treat the stain as soon as you can after spilling, my mom adds, especially when it comes to liquid products like foundation or highlighter. Seeing as we are all likely to have a bottle of micellar water in our makeup organizers, it is a quick product to grab as soon as you spill any makeup. 

Simply use a clean cloth to dab the stain with the makeup remover until no more color transfers to the cloth, my mom says. After that, it is best to wash the item with a stain-removing laundry detergent (my mom’s favorite is Vanish Oxi Advance, which you can get from Walmart) to really finish the stain off – so try to resist the urge to continue wearing the garment for the rest of the day.  

2. Try a dedicated stain remover to clean makeup from carpets

Cleaning carpets is more difficult than a moveable, washable item like your clothing, so any makeup spilled here should be treated with a dedicated stain remover, my mom says. It is not worth risking using any other products for something you can’t replace. You should ‘do it once and do it right,’ she and my dad always say. 

How you use the carpet stain remover will depend on the type you have, so it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. We always had a bottle of Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stain remover in our cleaning cabinet, and I wouldn't use anything else for touching up carpets. 

Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stain remover | Was $14.86 now $11.90 at Amazon
This carpet stain remover works on new and old stains, and has a handy built-in brush head applicator to make quick cleaning a breeze. With a cream area rug, I wouldn't live without it in my cabinet at all times. 

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3. Choose detergent wipes to clean makeup from upholstery

Upholstery is another tricky spot to tackle as you can’t quickly throw it in the washing machine. My mom has an upholstered stool at her makeup vanity that quickly accumulates makeup marks if she has any foundation on her fingers or if she drops an applicator.

To clean upholstery, my mom always reaches for a detergent wipe, at Amazon, (but you can also just use a clean cloth dampened with some laundry detergent and water) to help blot away the stain before it sets. Once the makeup has stopped transferring to the cloth, you can scrub the stain a little to help finish it off and then use a damp cloth to remove any detergent residue.

FAQs

As always, prevention is best when it comes to makeup stains, so having good makeup organization to prevent knocking things over, and a good dressing table would be ideal.