Mascara Stain Removal Guide

A mascara stain can happen when you accidentally rub your eyes on something, or drop the mascara wand causing mascara to spread everywhere.

Generally, mascara is dark colored so the stains are quite visible.

The quicker you act to remove them, the better.

Both waterproof mascara and regular mascara can be removed with the stain removal tips below.

Please note, however, that if it is waterproof mascara that dry cleaning solvent, and other non-water based stain removal solutions will work better than the water based methods.

Below are step by step instructions for removing stains caused by mascara from clothing, upholstery and carpet.

Removing A Mascara Stain From Clothing And Fabric

Step 1: Pretreat the stain with a laundry stain remover.

Step 2: Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color bleach if not.

Hint: Make sure the stain caused by the mascara is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Some of the most common places to see these types of stains is on towels or pillowcases. If the method above does not work for your spots and smears a good presoak of the fabric, overnight, in oxygen bleach, will often lift the stain.

How To Remove Mascara Stains From Upholstery

Step 1: Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid.

Step 2: Using this solution, sponge the spot with a clean white cloth.

Step 3: Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the stain from the mascara is removed from the upholstery.

Step 5: Now that the stain is removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain from the mascara.

If this does not work, an alternative is to use a dry cleaning solvent on the upholstery until the stain disappears.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Removing A Stain Caused By Mascara From Carpet

The instructions for removal of stains caused by mascara from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

However, if you don't have luck with either the dishwashing liquid solution or dry cleaning solvent methods listed above for stain removal, you can also do something additional with the carpet stain, which is to mix a solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups warm water to use as a stain removal solution.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Bottom photo by ookikioo

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.