How To Get Foundation Stains Out Of Clothes

Had a make-up mishap involving one of your favourite items of clothing? It’s one of those particularly frustrating moments. The power of long-lasting make-up is a blessing when it’s on your face, but a curse when it’s on your clothes or bedding.

Luckily, with just a little stain removal know-how, you can say goodbye to those stains for good.

Top tips to remove foundation stains from clothes

Act quickly

While it may be tempting to throw the item into your laundry basket to tackle when you next put on a load of washing, the best time to attack that stain is as soon as you notice it. When foundation is left on fabric, the pigments sink further into the fibres and stains become trickier to shift. With some quick thinking, you can prevent a stubborn stain from setting in.

Use oil-free eye makeup remover

Before you reach for a specialist stain removal product, try the same formula that you’d use to remove make-up from your face. Oil-based formulas can add complicate matters by adding new stains to the mix, so make sure it’s an oil-free eye make-up remover.

An oil-free make-up remover works to dissolve foundation and loosen any debris from the fibres. Try No7 Eye Make-Up Remover, formulated to remove even waterproof products.

Has your stain disaster struck while you’re out of the house? A quick swipe with a make-up wipe, such as No7 Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes, can tide you over until you’re back home.

Leave delicate fabrics to the professionals

Some fabrics don’t respond well to at-home cleaning and stain removal. If you have a silk or wool garment, take it as soon as possible to a dry cleaner instead of trying to tackle it at home. Is your stain on a cotton or poly-blend fabric? Try the steps below, making sure to check the garment’s care label first.

How to get liquid foundation out of clothes

Liquid foundation spreads quickly across fabric, so it’s essential to remove the excess swiftly to keep the affected area as small as possible.

Using a fresh paper towel or a clean cloth, gently blot the surface of the stain to soak up any excess liquid foundation and prevent it spreading further. Don’t push with force as this could embed the stain further into the garment’s fibres.
Use warm water to rinse the stain.
If the culprit is an oil-free liquid foundation, reach for a laundry detergent or pre-wash stain treatment. If you’re dealing with an oil-based formula, try a few drops of dish soap. It might sound strange, but this helps to dissolve grease and oil, making the stain easier to shift.
Apply the laundry detergent, pre-wash stain treatment or dish soap to the affected area and gently work it into the fabric with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes (or following the instructions on the product).
Wash the garment on the warmest temperature that the care label allows. If the stain still hasn’t shifted, you might need to wash it again to remove all traces of foundation.

How to get powder foundation out of clothes

Take care when removing the loose particles of powder foundation, as you can easily spread, smudge or push the foundation further into the fabric.

Holding the item over a sink or bin, shake off as much of the powder as possible – it can help to blow gently on the item to remove the excess. If you can still see powder on the surface, gently brush it off with a clean toothbrush or a clean mascara spoolie, taking care not to apply pressure and force it further into the fabric.
Holding the fabric stain-side down, run warm water through the stain to push as much out as possible.
Pre-treat the stain with a laundry detergent or pre-wash stain treatment. Gently work it into the fabric and leave to sit for 10-20 minutes (or following the instructions on the product).
Pop straight into the washing machine and wash on the highest temperature recommended on the label. You might find you need to wash the item twice to completely remove the stain.