If you love wearing makeup regularly, then you probably have your fair share of makeup stains on some of your best clothes. Instead of letting a simple foundation stain ruin your favorite top, you need to find effective cleaning materials to remove it and make your clothes look as good as new.

The trick to cleaning foundation stains depends on the type of foundation you use. Oil-free and oil-based liquid foundations can be a lot harder to get rid of as compared to powder foundation stains. 

If you’re looking for tips on how to remove makeup foundation from a white shirt, we’re here to tell you all there is to know. Let’s take a look at some cleaning methods in detail to remove fresh or stubborn foundation stains effectively! 

Makeup Wipes for Instant Removal

Makeup wipes aren’t just good for removing makeup from your face after a long night. If you’ve accidentally smeared something on yourself or absentmindedly wiped your face with your sleeve, then all you need is a makeup wipe to remove the stain before it sets into the fibers of your clothes. 

Before you can use a makeup wipe to remove a fresh stain, you need to do a spot test on an area of your clothes that isn’t that noticeable. This is important if you don’t want the makeup wipe to leave an unsightly spot. Try to be gentle while you’re rubbing the stain to avoid ruining your clothes in the process.

For stubborn stains, however, you’ll need a lot more than makeup wipes to make sure there are no traces left. Whether you want to learn how to get makeup foundation out of jeans or a silk blouse you wear on special occasions, we hope you find the perfect solution in the methods we’ve listed below.

Removing Oil-Based Liquid Foundation Stains

Liquid Dish Soap and Laundry Detergent

If the stain is from an oil-based liquid foundation, you’ll need liquid dish soap and laundry detergent to clean it right away. Here’s a step-by-step guide you need to follow:

1. Use cold water to dampen the stained part of your clothes. This should allow the solvent you’ll be using to spread quickly and loosen the stain. Consider using a spray bottle if you’re removing the stain from delicate fabric.
2. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap on the stained area and let it sit for a couple of minutes. It’s best to use dish-washing hand soap instead of dishwater detergent as it can be quite harsh on your clothes. Hand soap is known to get rid of grease and oil, which is why it’s ideal for an oil-based liquid foundation stain. 
3. Gently rub it in using your finger or a wet cloth to break up the oils inside the makeup. You can try using a toothbrush with soft bristles as well. 
4. After you’ve rubbed it in thoroughly, use a clean cloth or a paper towel to blot the stained area gently. You shouldn’t rub the stained area with it, or you’ll end up spreading the stain. 
5. Rinse the stained spot under cold water to remove the leftover detergent. If you notice that there are still some traces of the stain left, you’ll need to repeat the procedure several times until it has been removed completely.
6. Extremely stubborn stains may need to be treated with a laundry detergent first. Make sure the detergent is safe to use on the garment you’re trying to clean. Spot test on a small area to be entirely sure.
7. Wash your garment as per the directions on the label to get rid of the lingering makeup stains and leftover detergent. 

Removing Oil-Free Liquid Foundation Stains

Shaving Cream and Rubbing Alcohol 

Removing oil-free liquid foundation stains can be a little complex. You’ll need to have some shaving cream and rubbing alcohol at hand to get rid of it completely. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Cover the stained area with shaving cream. You can use any brand of foam shaving cream here. 
2. Allow the cream to set in for about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. After that, rub the cream into the stain with your fingers or a clean cloth. Work it into the stained fibers of the fabric to loosen the stain. 
4. For stubborn stains, you can try adding a little bit of rubbing alcohol into the shaving cream before applying it.
5. Rinse the stained area with cold water. 
6. If there’s still some foundation left on your clothes, you should spray some more shaving cream directly on the area and repeat the steps. Rinse it with warm water this time around. Warmer water may break down the stain more effectively. 
7. Use a clean, dry towel to gently pat the treated area dry. Blotting may help lift out any traces left.
8. Give the stained garment a good wash after treating the stain to remove any leftover traces of foundation or shaving cream. 

Removing Powder Foundation Stains

Powder foundation stains, as we’ve established earlier, are a lot easier to clean. Follow the instructions below to get rid of them effectively:

1. The first thing you need to do as soon as you notice the stain is blow off the excess powder. You can use your mouth or your blow-dryer for this purpose. Don’t try to rub it or brush it off, or you’ll spread the stain and make it harder to remove.
2. If it’s too late and the powder has been rubbed into your garment, then you may need to pour a few drops of liquid soap on the stained area.
3. Dampen a clean cloth or sponge and rub the stain gently with it to clean the powder stain. Rinse the cloth or sponge again and repeat this step until there are no traces of soap left on the garment.
4. Use a dry towel to blot the treated area gently and remove excess water. Try to avoid rubbing the area, or you’ll damage the fabric and spread the strain.
5. After you’ve treated the stained area, wash the garment the same way you usually would. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of the type of foundation you’ve spilled on your clothes, there’s always a way to clean it and leave no traces behind. Keep the methods we’ve mentioned above in mind the next time you stain your favorite top with your foundation.

Good luck!