How to Get Foundation Out of Clothes

 

Foundation spills can ruin your entire look, but these tips will help you eliminate stains with ease.

Errant stains from foundation are an unfortunate part of wearing makeup, and they can be tricky to remove from clothing because of their complex, well, makeup.

Removing foundation stains from clothing doesn’t require specialty stain removers, but certain stain-removal methods are important to know when treating these tricky stains.

Instructions

How to Get Liquid or Cream Foundation Out of Clothes

1. Scrape Excess Foundation

Using a butter knife or the edge of a spoon, scrape off as much of the foundation on the garment as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, which can push the foundation deeper into the fabric. Don’t apply a stain-removing formula until you’ve removed as much foundation as possible to avoid flooding the makeup and causing it to spread.

2.Apply Stain Remover

Apply the stain remover to the stained area, taking care not to overuse the product, as excessive liquid can flood the stain and cause it to spread. Use your fingers to gently massage the stain treatment product into the stain, and allow 10 to 15 minutes for the formula to penetrate and break down the stain before laundering the garment as usual.

3.Launder and Check the Stain Before Drying

Launder the garment as usual, either by hand or in the machine, following the instructions on the care label. Before transferring the garment to the dryer, confirm the stain has been eliminated. If it is still visible, repeat the above steps and don’t dry the garment until the stain is gone, as the high heat of the dryer can set the stain permanently.

How to Get Powder Foundation Out of Clothes

1. Blow Away Excess Foundation

Use a blow dryer on the cool setting to blow the powder foundation off the fabric. Depending on the placement of the powder spill, you may be able to blow it off using your lung power; a puff of canned air or an electric duster can also be used if a hair dryer isn’t available. Sticky rollers, too, can lift powder makeup spills off of clothing without smearing or spreading them.

2.Apply Stain Remover

Apply a small amount of stain remover to the powder foundation stain. Avoid using an excessive amount of stain remover, which can flood the stain and cause it to spread. Gently massage the stain remover into the stain, and allow 10 to 15 minutes for it to penetrate and break down the stain before laundering the garment as usual.

2.Launder and Check the Stain Before Drying

Launder the garment following the instructions on the care label. Check that the stain has been eliminated before transferring the item to the dryer to avoid permanently setting the stain. If needed, repeat the stain removal process or use the method below for removing set-in foundation stains from clothing.

How to Remove Set-in Foundation Stains from Clothes

1. Make an Oxygen Bleach Solution

To remove set-in foundation stains from clothing, soak the garment in an oxygen bleach solution. To make the solution, follow the package directions and dissolve the oxygen bleach in hot water to activate it. This operation can take place in the kitchen sink or another clean space—like a utility sink, washing bucket, or bathtub—that is large enough to submerge the garment fully and where it can sit undisturbed for an hour up to overnight. 

Tips: When making an oxygen bleach solution, leave enough space in the sink to submerge the garment and allow your hands to move through it without displacing the water.

2.Submerge and Soak the Clothing

Submerge the garment, allowing it to soak for at least an hour up to overnight. Use your hands to periodically agitate the garment and solution to create mechanical action that helps break down the stain. Then, either rub the stained part of the fabric against itself while the shirt is submerged in the oxygen bleach solution or use a laundry brush on the stained area.

3.After Soaking, Launder as Usual

Drain the oxygen bleach solution and gently squeeze or press down on the garment to extrude water. Then, launder the clothing as usual, either by hand or in the machine, according to the instructions on the care label. Before putting the garment in the dryer, check that the stain is gone to avoid setting it permanently by exposing it to high heat.