Makeup gets everywhere, and liquid or powder foundation is especially tricky to remove from clothing, the point being that it’s designed to be long-lasting. However, it could be worse—at least it’s not lipstick, which is oil-based and brightly colored.
The key to removing foundation from your clothing is to know what you’re dealing with and act fast. This quick read has all the tips and tricks you’ll need to solve those makeup mishaps.
How Do You Get Foundation Stains Out of Clothes?
It’s essential to spot-treat the stain before laundering the garment. Your product choice will depend on the type of foundation you use and what you have readily available.
Liquid and powder foundations are completely distinct beauty products that behave differently on your skin (and clothes!). Moreover, every liquid foundation has a unique formulation, so no two products are alike.
Our tips and techniques cover all types of foundation spillages, whether you’re at home or away and relying on emergency treatment.
Removing Foundation Stains: 6 Tips
1. Pre-treat the Stain with Detergent or Dish Soap
Blot the stain with a couple of drops of detergent. You can also use dish soap, which works well with an oil-based foundation. Work the soap into the stain using a soft brush—an old toothbrush is perfect.
Leave the detergent on the fabric for around ten minutes so it soaks deep into the fibers. Gently blot any excess with a paper towel and rinse the stained area under the hot tap.
2. Use Hair Spray
Hairspray contains 25% to 50% alcohol, which can help lift a foundation stain; you may already have it in your bathroom.
Spray the stain and leave it to harden. Take a clean paper towel, blot it in cold water so it’s damp, not saturated, and gently dab the area; the stain should come away with the hairspray. You may need to repeat this a couple of times.
3. Ice Cubes
Scrape away any liquid or lightly blow away excess powder, and then take an ice cube and press it onto the stain. Rub the cube in a circular motion until it’s dissolved. Blot the stain with a dry paper towel, which lifts the color, and then repeat.
4. Makeup Remover
Makeup remover wipes are a godsend if you’ve had a foundation accident. They work best on powder or water-based foundations with lower or zero oil content.
Dab the stain with a clean wipe; never rub, as this pushes the mark deeper into the fabric.
5. Launder the Garment in the Washing Machine
After treating the stain, wash the stained item of clothing in your machine on the highest temperature setting the care label allows. If your garment says, ‘For best results, dry-clean,’ you can still use the machine but on a low-temperature setting.
6. Handwash with Detergent Sheets
Detergent sheets are an excellent alternative to many traditional laundry pods or powders and can be a lifesaver if you’re away from home. Use them to handwash or launder your garment; they’ll shift that stubborn foundation stain.
Flat and thin, they’re easy to pop in your luggage, allowing you to soak an item overnight with a fast-acting laundry sheet in the basin in your hotel bathroom.
Laundry sheets are formulated without phthalates, bleach, or optical brighteners. Whether you handwash or have access to a machine, you can rest assured that your silk blouse or delicate garment will fare well.
How to Remove Liquid or Cream Foundation
- Gently scrape away any excess with a knife or piece of plastic—don’t apply too much pressure, or you’ll force the stain deeper into the fabric. A piece of card will do just as well.
- Rinse the stain in warm water.
- Grab your oil-free makeup remover, which will dissolve and loosen the foundation from the cloth fibers. You can also use detergent or dish soap, just a few drops mixed with water.
- Work the product into the stain with a soft brush, such as an old toothbrush, nail brush, or clean cloth.
- Leave the garment for 10-20 minutes and then launder, following the instructions on the care label. Opt for the warmest temperature the manufacturer recommends.
- You may need to wash again until all traces of the stain have gone.
How to Remove Powder Foundation
- Most powder foundations are water-based, so they’re easier to remove than liquid or cream products. If the powder is fresh, gently blow away any excess; don’t brush it with your hand—powder foundation spreads when brushed, and it will smudge. If you can still see particles of powder, brush them off gently with a toothbrush.
- Next, turn the item over so it’s stain down, and then run warm water through the mark; this helps loosen the pigment from the cloth fibers.
- Pre-treat the stain with laundry detergent or a stain-removing product and leave it on the garment for 10-20 minutes (always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.)
- Wash in your machine at the highest recommended temperature—you may need to do this more than once to shift a stubborn stain.
Can Alcohol Remove Foundation From Clothes?
Rubbing alcohol (also called surgical spirit) is a highly concentrated product, unsuitable for drinking, but often used as a disinfectant and a cleaning product.
Rubbing alcohol is a good choice for oil-based foundation stains. However, its strength makes it unsuitable for lifting stains on delicate fabrics like silk or satin without harming the garment. Rubbing alcohol is also less effective on old stains.
A word of caution with rubbing alcohol. Never combine it with bleach, though it might seem clever if you’ve got a white garment with a nasty foundation stain.
Combining bleach with rubbing alcohol releases dangerous gasses that irritate your eyes, throat, and lungs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Stain Remover for Makeup Foundation?
The best stain remover depends on the foundation and its formulation; some products are best for oil-based liquid makeup and less useful for powder products. Remember that your first and best option is always speed, regardless of the type of foundation; the longer the stain has been there, the harder it will be to remove.
Can Vinegar Remove Foundation Stains?
Vinegar is a regular household choice for removing stains and is great for getting rid of liquid and powder foundation marks. Only use white vinegar, which must be diluted because of the acetic acid. The usual ratio is one-third vinegar to two-thirds water. Use a spray bottle to apply the dilute vinegar, which covers the stain more evenly.
Final Thoughts
The key to removing any foundation stain from clothing is to act quickly. The longer you leave it, the more firmly the pigment in the product will set into the garment’s fibers. If you prefer detergents or pre-stain treatments without certain ingredients that may be too strong for delicate fabrics, consider products from a company like Freddie. Freddie offers detergent sheets designed to clean stains without phosphates, parabens, or dyes, and they come in recyclable packaging.