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What’s the reason behind the tradition of spring cleaning during the spring season?
Nichola Evans/Getty ImagesWhen you're rushing through your eye makeup routine, it’s often your furniture and other surfaces that end up suffering. Keep your space looking fresh with these effective stain-removal techniques.
The first step in tackling makeup stains is identifying the material that’s been stained.
Here are the most common materials that can get stained by makeup, along with steps to remove makeup stains from each:
- Non-washable fibers like Acetate, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk Triacetate, or Wool
- Washable fibers like Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, or Spandex
- Hard surfaces like Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Asphalt Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Cork Enamel, Glass, Gold, Ivory, Jade, Linoleum, Marble, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, or Vinyl Wallcovering
- Stone surfaces like Bluestone, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, or Terrazzo
- Leather or Suede
- Wood
Non-washable Fibers
To remove makeup stains from Acetate, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk Triacetate, or Wool, follow these steps:
- Brush off excess stain using a stiff-bristled brush, or blot gently, being careful not to spread the stain.
- Flush with a dry-cleaning solvent like Afta Cleaning Fluid to loosen any staining residue.
- Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad soaked in the same spotter.
- Check the stain every 5 minutes.
- Press firmly against the stain before changing pads.
- Alternate between soaking and pressing until no more stain is being removed.
- Flush with the dry-cleaning solvent and allow to air dry.
- If any stain remains, rinse with water and use a wet spotter with a few drops of ammonia (avoid ammonia on silk or wool).
- Cover again with a pad dampened by the wet spotter.
- Allow it to sit as long as any stain continues to be absorbed.
- Change the pad regularly as it absorbs the stain.
- Keep the stain and pad moist throughout the process.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and repeat the process if necessary; allow to dry afterward.
Washable Fibers
To remove makeup stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, or Spandex, follow these steps:
- Brush or blot away any excess, being careful not to spread the stain further.
- Flush with a dry-cleaning solvent like Afta Cleaning Fluid.
- Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover it with a cloth dampened with the same dry spotter.
- Check the stain regularly, gently tamping (pressing with light strokes) before changing the cloth.
- Continue alternating between soaking and tamping until no more stain is removed.
- Flush with one of the dry-cleaning solvents and let it air dry.
- If the stain persists, repeat the soaking and tamping process, using a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia.
- Once the stain is gone, flush the area with water to remove all traces of ammonia. Launder as soon as possible.
Hard Surfaces
To remove makeup stains from Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Asphalt Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Cork Enamel, Glass, Gold, Ivory, Jade, Linoleum, Marble, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, or Vinyl Wallcovering, follow these steps:
- Wipe away any spills or brush off any excess stain.
- Use a cloth or sponge soaked in warm soapy water to wash the surface.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth.
Stone Surfaces
To remove makeup stains from Bluestone, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, or Terrazzo, follow these steps:
- Wipe away any excess makeup.
- Prepare a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) mixed with water.
- Clean the stained area thoroughly.
- Rinse the surface well with clean water and allow it to dry.
Leather or Suede
To remove makeup stains from leather or suede, follow these steps:
- Carefully remove any excess material.
- Prepare a mixture of mild soap in lukewarm water.
- Agitate the mixture to create a substantial amount of foam.
- Using a sponge, apply only the foam to the stained area.
- Wipe the area dry with a clean cloth.
- If a greasy or oily stain persists, sprinkle the area with an absorbent substance like cornmeal.
- Allow the absorbent to work for a while.
- Gently brush or shake off the absorbent once it's absorbed the stain.
- If needed, repeat the process.
- For leather, use conditioning products such as The Tannery or Fiebing's Saddle Soap after cleaning.
Wood
To remove makeup stains from wood, follow these steps:
- Combine dishwashing detergent with hot water and agitate to create a good volume of suds.
- Soak a cloth in the foam and apply it directly to the stain.
- Rinse the area with clear water.
- Immediately wipe dry with a soft cloth and then polish or wax the surface as usual.
