How to Get Makeup Out of Clothes: 8 Genius Hacks

Even if you consider yourself a trained pro at drawing that perfect winged cat-eye or contouring those cheekbones á la Bella Hadid, makeup mistakes are inevitable. So when you accidentally smudge that gel liner on a new dress or get liquid foundation all over a white shirt, knowing how to get makeup out of clothes the right way will ease any panic that you might’ve forever ruined a beloved piece of clothing.

First, you should always read the garment’s care label on how to take care of the fabric you’re dealing with so you don’t make matters worse. And for stubborn stains (and if you have the budget), you can always see a cleaning professional or opt for dry cleaning. But for most makeup accidents, there are simple fixes to get your clothes makeup stain-free. The best part? You probably already own some of these cleaning products to use for these hacks.

Below are eight genius—and more importantly, easy—ways to get makeup out of clothes according to the pros. Save this for the next makeup emergency.

Be Proactive with Prevention

As with most things, it’s usually best—and a whole lot easier—to prevent stains from ruining your favorite pieces of clothing. This can be done in a couple of different ways. Celebrity makeup artist Dani Parkes recommends using a good setting spray or powder to lock your makeup in place and prevent it from rubbing onto your clothes. Parkes also recommends putting some sort of sheet over your head or face while putting on or taking off clothes for added protection.

Put Clothes on After Your Makeup

While it may sound counterintuitive to put clothes on after going full glam, it is the preferred method that Parkes lives by. “I find this easier because there may be fallout from eyeshadows or setting powder that falls on your clothes,” she says. “A liquid you’re applying could [also] spill [onto clothes].”

Hannah Yokoji, head of marketing for The Laundress, says this can totally be dependent on the cut and style of the clothes you’re wearing. “Tops or dresses with buttons, zippers, or other closures that allow you to step into the garment allow for the most flexibility, as you can avoid holding the item too close to the face. However, turtlenecks, body con tops, and other items that must be pulled over the head and should ideally be put on before applying makeup to avoid transfer,” Yokoji says. If the latter is the case, she recommends wearing a robe or an old button-up over your outfit to prevent makeup from staining it.

Brush or Scrape It Off

Parkes says that powder makeup is one of the easiest to remove and you can generally brush it off of your clothes. If you’re wondering how to get mascara or liquid eyeliner out, Yokoji says that these products can be scraped away with a clean spoolie as long as you wait for it to completely dry before doing so.

Dab With a Tissue or Makeup Wipe

When it comes to liquid or cream spills, she says to use a tissue and dab away any excess makeup product. Rubbing your garment will only spread the stain and make it worse. You can also use a makeup up, says Parkes, to gently blot until the stain is lifted.

Soap and Water

For easy-to-remove stains, you don’t need anything fancy. Parkes says that a mixture of water and a tiny bit of dish soap should work most of the time. Something like a powder eyeshadow generally can come out by rubbing just water on the stain to lift it off.

Rubbing Alcohol

Parkes says you can also consider using rubbing alcohol on stains. You can soak the tip of a towel, clean cloth, or a cotton ball with alcohol to break down the stain and remove it from your clothes.

Detergent Pen

For when you’re on the go, a detergent pen can be a beauty godsend. You can use a Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen, which is a quick solution that is suitable for most fabrics. Simply dab the pen on the stained area with a few strokes until it starts to disappear. You can also use Shout Wipe And Go, which are detergent wipes to quickly rub away a stain.

Spot Clean and Then Wash

How to get foundation stains or lipstick stains (which are considered the hardest ones to remove because of how much pigment they can contain) out of clothes, Parkes says you’ll want to spot clean first to get as much product out as you can and then throw your piece of clothing into the wash with a good laundry detergent.

Yokoji recommends using something like the Laundress’ newly reformulated Stain Solution as a pre-treatment. Apply the solution on the stain and then soak garments in hot water or whatever is recommended for that specific type of fabric for about 30 minutes and then wash it in the laundry. She emphasizes the importance of not skipping the pre-treatment before throwing it in the machine as stains can linger and make it even harder to remove. If the stain remains, repeat the process until the stain is gone.

So don’t give up hope if you’ve accidentally stained your clothing with makeup. With these easy hacks, you won’t have to say goodbye to your favorite t-shirt just yet.