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Clothes · Make-up stains

Make-up stains: how to get foundation and lipstick out of clothes

Foundation, powder, mascara or lipstick on a white T-shirt or a collar: lift off what you can, pre-treat before you wash, and don't dry it until it's gone.

Quick answer

  1. !No tumble dryer until the mark has gone.
  2. 1Scrape and blot, don't rub
  3. 2Soap or liquid detergent for powder and foundation
  4. 3A make-up remover for oily make-up and lipstick
  5. 4Soak if it's still there
  6. 5Wash and check before drying
  7. 6Lipstick traces: rubbing alcohol

Match your situation

Your situationTry this
White T-shirt or topSteps 1 to 5. For the soak, use a whites product such as Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White Gel, for up to 6 hours. [1]
Foundation on a shirt collarRub with bar soap or liquid detergent (step 2), or use a make-up stain remover (step 3), then wash. [2][5]
LipstickA prewash stain remover or make-up remover (step 3). Lipstick can need a second round of pre-treating and washing. [3] Traces left? Step 6.
Pillowcases and cotton beddingTreat them like washable clothes: cotton and other washable fabrics can be pre-treated and soaked. [1]
Silk or woolOnly a short pre-treat: 2 ml of gel, rubbed in gently, for 10 minutes at most, then wash or rinse. [7] Don't use Stain Devils on silk or wool. [4]
CarpetBlot with a damp cloth, then use a carpet stain spray: hold it 15 cm away, wait 5 minutes at most, then blot. Not on silk or oriental rugs. [1] See also carpet stains.
Leather, suede or upholsteryDon't use Stain Devils on these. [5] For sofas, check the cleaning code first: see sofa cleaning codes.

What you need

A quick note from me: I’m not a cleaning expert. These steps and products are my recommendations, not professional advice. I’ve tried to make them as accurate as I can, and every step links to its source. Always patch-test on a hidden area first and follow the product label and the care label. More about this

Shop links go to Amazon UK search results. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes what a guide recommends. Product pictures are my own illustrations, not the maker’s packaging.

Not in the UK? Equivalents in the US, EU and Australia

Plain names, not shop links. For the EU I checked the makers’ German sites. Where I couldn’t confirm a product, I’ve written the type of product to look for instead. Always check the label: formulas and directions can differ between countries.

  • Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Cosmetics & Nature

    US
    A make-up and lipstick spot stain remover (Dr. Beckmann has no US site) [9]
    EU (Germany)
    Dr. Beckmann Fleckenteufel Kosmetik & Natur [10]
    Australia
    Dr. Beckmann Expert Stain Remover Nature & Cosmetics [11]

  • Vanish Oxi Action Multi Power Gel

    US
    An oxygen stain-remover gel or gel pre-treater, for example OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick (a different maker, Church & Dwight) [12][13]
    EU (Germany)
    Vanish Fleckentferner Gel (Oxi Action) [14]
    Australia
    Vanish Napisan Gold Oxi Action Stain Remover Gel [15]

  • Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White

    US
    An oxygen whitening and stain-remover powder for whites, for example OxiClean White Revive powder (a different maker, Church & Dwight) [12][16]
    EU (Germany)
    Vanish Fleckentferner Powerweiss Pulver [17]
    Australia
    Vanish Napisan Oxi Action Crystal White Stain Remover Powder [18]

  • Vanish Oxi Action carpet & upholstery spray

    US
    A carpet spot-and-stain spray, for example Resolve Spot & Stain Remover (a different brand) [12][19]
    EU (Germany)
    Vanish Teppich- & Polsterreinigung Spray [20]
    Australia
    Vanish Preen Gold 3in1 Carpet & Upholstery Stain Removal Spray [21]
Step1

Scrape and blot, don't rub

  1. Gently scrape off any solid make-up with a blunt knife. [4]
  2. Blot what's left with a clean, damp paper towel or cloth. [1] Don't rub or scrub: it spreads the stain and can damage delicate fibres. [4]
  3. Start with cool or lukewarm water, not hot: heat can set the pigment and oil into the fibres. [4]

Act fast

Make-up stains are easier to shift before they dry. If you can't wash it yet, a stain stick or stain-removal wipe will hold the stain for up to a week. [3][4]

Step2

Powder and foundation: soap or liquid detergent

For powder and water-based make-up, University of Georgia Extension says: [2]

  1. Dampen the stain.
  2. Rub it with bar soap, or pre-treat it with a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent, or a paste of powder detergent and water.
  3. Wash it.

The American Cleaning Institute gives the same options for cosmetics and lipstick, plus a prewash stain remover. [8] No stain remover to hand? Wash it as soon as you can with a biological detergent, if the fabric allows. [4]

Step3

Oily make-up and lipstick: a make-up stain remover

  • Leave 10–15 min
  • Then wash

Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Cosmetics & Nature: [5][6]

  1. Put a clean white cloth or kitchen roll under the stain.
  2. Moisten the stain well with the liquid.
  3. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, or longer for stubborn stains.
  4. Dab the area with a dry cloth, then wash as normal.

It's made for stains with a lot of pigment, such as make-up, lipstick, eyeliner and eye shadow. [5] It's not suitable for leather, suede, acetate/rayon, carpets or upholstery. [5] Good Housekeeping UK suggests it for washable fabrics other than silk and wool. [4]

Or a solvent spot remover, for oil-based make-up: [2]

  1. Sponge the stain with a solvent cleaner.
  2. Rinse with water and let it air dry.
  3. Rub detergent into the stain, then wash.

Test first

Test any remover on a hidden area first. [4][5] Solvents and alcohol can dissolve the dyes in some fabrics. [4] Use solvents in a well-ventilated room. [2]

Step4

Still there? Soak it

  • 100 ml gel in 4 L water
  • Colours 1 h max
  • Whites 6 h max

Vanish UK's method for make-up on cotton, denim and other washable fabrics: [1]

  1. Pour 100 ml of Vanish gel onto the stain and rub it in gently.
  2. Soak the item in 4 litres of water: colours for 1 hour at most, whites for 6 hours at most.
  3. Rub the stain again before rinsing, then wash as usual or rinse well.

Use Oxi Action Multi Power Gel for colours and Oxi Action Crystal White Gel for whites. [1]

Silk and wool: no long soak

For silk and wool, Vanish says to pour 2 ml of gel on the stain, rub gently, leave it for 10 minutes at most, then wash or rinse. [7]

Step5

Wash it and check before drying

  1. Wash it in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric (check the care label). [3]
  2. Check the stain before you dry it. Lipstick in particular can need a second round of stain remover and washing. [3]
  3. Air dry it. A tumble dryer can set any make-up that's left. [1][3]
Step6

Lipstick traces: rubbing alcohol

If it remains
  • Alcohol: 70 or 90 percent

The American Cleaning Institute's method for lipstick: [8]

  1. Put the stain face down on a couple of layers of paper towel.
  2. Dampen another towel with rubbing alcohol and dab the stained area. The lipstick should come off onto the paper towels underneath.
  3. Keep going until it has all gone. Long-lasting lipsticks can take more work.
  4. Rinse, wash as usual and air dry.

For white fabric that's safe to bleach, University of Georgia Extension says chlorine bleach can remove the final traces. [2] Only use bleach if the garment is white and bleach-safe. [4]

Never mix

Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia: the fumes are hazardous. [8] Test each product on a hidden area first. [2][4]

Stop it happening again

  • Tuck tissues into the neckline of your top while you put your make-up on, as make-up artists do. [4]
  • Put foundation on the back of your hand and apply it to your face from there. [4]
  • Can't wash it today? Treat the mark with a stain stick or stain-removal wipe. It holds the stain for up to a week. [3]

Sources

  1. Vanish UK: How to remove makeup stains (clothing and carpet)
  2. University of Georgia Extension (Textiles): Remove stains from cosmetics, makeup, sunscreen
  3. American Cleaning Institute: Ask ACI, make-up stains
  4. Good Housekeeping UK: How to remove foundation stains
  5. Dr. Beckmann UK: Stain Devils Cosmetics and Nature
  6. Dr. Beckmann UK: How to use Stain Devils liquids
  7. Vanish UK: How to use stain removal (silk and wool)
  8. American Cleaning Institute: Stain removal guide (cosmetics, lipstick, never mix bleach and ammonia)
  9. Dr. Beckmann: country selection (no US site listed)
  10. Dr. Beckmann Germany: Fleckenteufel Kosmetik & Natur
  11. Dr. Beckmann Australia: Expert Stain Remover Nature & Cosmetics
  12. Reckitt US: our brands (Vanish is not listed for the US)
  13. OxiClean (Church & Dwight): Max Force Gel Stick
  14. Vanish Germany: Vanish Fleckentferner Gel (Oxi Action)
  15. Vanish Australia: Vanish Napisan Gold Oxi Action Stain Remover Gel
  16. OxiClean (Church & Dwight): White Revive Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover Powder
  17. Vanish Germany: Vanish Fleckentferner Powerweiss Pulver
  18. Vanish Australia: Vanish Napisan Oxi Action Crystal White Stain Remover Powder
  19. Resolve US: Resolve Spot & Stain Remover
  20. Vanish Germany: Vanish Teppich- & Polsterreinigung Spray
  21. Vanish Australia: Vanish Preen Gold 3in1 Carpet & Upholstery Stain Removal Spray

Answers “does anyone know how to get makeup off white t shirts”, asked on X on 23 Oct 2026. Checked 23 Oct 2026.

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