How to Get Makeup Stains Out of Carpet

One of the toughest stains to remove is make-up. But virtually all of them can be taken off with the right products.
You will have better results if you know the type of make-up that produced the stains. Both powder and liquid make-up products will leave a stain in a carpet and their oil content will determine which cleaning product to use.
Powder-based products, such as powdered foundation, eye shadow and blush, are generally non-oily. Liquid make-up is usually oily and comes in products such as lipstick, rouge, mascara and liquid foundation.

Things You'll Need

• Clean white cloth Household detergent without bleach Isopropyl alcohol Dishwashing liquid 3% hydrogen peroxide Toothbrush

Instructions

How to Get Make-up Stains Out of Carpet

1. Remove lipstick and rouge stains from carpet by dabbing them with a clean white cloth. Rinse the cloth in water and try applying laundry detergent if the stains persist. If they still remain, dab isopropyl alcohol on the stains, followed by laundry detergent again.

2. Remove mascara and eye-liner stains from carpet by dabbing dishwashing liquid with a drop or two of water onto the stains. The enzymes in the cleaning solvent break down the protein glue that causes the mascara to attach to the carpet. Allow the carpet to dry and brush away any remaining residue.

3. Remove liquid foundation stains from carpet by first dabbing them with a clean white cloth until no more of the stain comes off onto the cloth. Pour a couple of drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stains. Allow the solution to sit for a minute, and then dab at the stain until it is removed.

4. Remove powder-based stains, such as eye shadow, blush, and powdered foundation by applying laundry detergent onto the stains. Rub the stains with a toothbrush in a circular motion.

5. Almost all make-up stains can be removed by spraying carpet cleaner on the carpet. Allow the carpet cleaner to sit on the stains for at least ten minutes, and then dab away the solution. If allowed to sit and break down the stains, carpet cleaner will remove the stains completely with no scrubbing needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Repeat the procedures above more than once for old or deep stains. Eventually, the stains should begin to fade.

• Do not rub the make-up stains. Blot or dab them. Rubbing them will only make them spread into the carpet and make them worse.

References

• Coin Laundry Association