Making up stains are trickier than your average stains as they are highly pigmented and oil-based. Such strains are referred to as combination stains and must be treated in a particular order to be efficiently removed. Mostly hydrogen peroxide bleach or alcohol-based stain removers are believed to be of help in such situations, but a lot depends upon the colour and type of fabric and.
As a general rule of thumb, do not try to wipe the stain out using a wet wipe or paper towel, it can spread the stain or further set in the stain. Let it sit and dry out. When the stain is dried, apply some dishwashing detergent to get the oily part. Rinse off after half an hour and then apply some enzymatic presoak for another thirty minutes. Rise again and pour some oxygenized non-chlorine bleach over the spot to lift off the most stubborn stains known to women around the globe.
Foundation Stains
Foundation is as rich in its oily content as it is highly pigmented. Avoid wiping off the stain with the hand as the heat from your hand will melt the foundation and rub it further in the fabric. Instead, use a plastic card or spoon to lift off the excess and let the rest sit and dry so you are not spreading it. You can also try to rub an ice cube on in the meanwhile. Follow up with the above-given method of dishwashing liquid, enzymatic presoak and oxygenized non-chlorine bleach.
Powder
Don’t try to brush off the powder with your finger for the same reason mentioned above, blow away the powder (but do not use a blow dryer as recommended on some places online because the heat will melt powder in the fabric) or brush it off with a makeup brush. Or simply use a makeup wipe to pick up the powder from the surface. Pour a few drops of liquid soap on the spot, rub gently and rinse off.
Lipstick
An alcohol-based hygiene wipe can be excellent emergency treatment. Place the wipe over the stain and gently tap the surface area, without actually rubbing the wipe on the stain so you are not pushing down the oil and pigments further in the fabric. If you have some acetone, rubbing alcohol, cheap perfume or hair spray, soak the spot in it and let it sit for a few seconds then wipe off with a paper towel. This should effectively clean the stain.
Nail Polish
If you have an ice cube near by using it to quickly dry and chip off the excess of the nail polish. Let the nail polish dry and do not try to wipe the stain away while it’s still wet as this will just spread the stain. Once the nail polish is dry, use a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to lift up as much of stain as possible. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Use acetone or a few drops of your regular nail polish remover on the nail polish stain and lift up the nail polish using a paper towel or cotton swab. Once the nail polish is gone you will be left with a light yellowish stain of acetone or alcohol. That will easily go away during your regular laundry wash.
Mascara
We have already established no touching to makeup stains with bare hands as heat is never good for oil-based pigmented stains, let the excess dry and scrape off the chunky stuff using a plastic card or an old toothbrush. Use a makeup removing wipe to take as much mascara as you can and then toss it into your washing machine with your laundry.
Here is a guide to help you maintain your washing machine in the best condition.
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