How to Get Concealer Out of Clothes

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Last Updated: May 11, 2024 References

The thick consistency of concealer is great for under your eyes, but harsh on your clothes. If you happen to smudge your clothes with concealer, your best bet is to pre-treat the stain before putting it in the washing machine. You can also easily wash out the stain by hand, or use other types of stain removers. No matter what you choose, be sure to tackle the stain as soon as possible before it sets.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine

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Be gentle as you scoop or scrape the fabric. You don’t want to rub the concealer into the clothes, only remove any extra that is sitting on top. ^{[1]
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2
Apply a stain remover and dab the stain with a clean wet cloth. You can find stain removing sprays or pocket-sized stain removing pens in the laundry aisle. Grab whichever type you have on hand and apply it to the stain. Dab it with a clean wet cloth to help it absorb into the stain. ^{[2]
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- You can also dab a bit of ammonia on the stain if you don’t have a stain remover handy.
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3
Add a second coat of stain remover and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. If the stain doesn’t significantly fade after the first application of stain remover, apply another layer on the stain. Don’t dab this time. Instead, let it sit and soak in by itself for about 10 minutes. ^{[3]
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- The stain should be at least 80% gone before you put it in the washing machine, otherwise it may not come out.
If you don’t have a stain remover handy, or you don’t have time to apply it, simply rinse the stain as thoroughly as possible with cold water. Then, let it soak in hot water in the sink. Put it in the washing machine when you are able. ^{[4]
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5
Wash the garment in a washing machine with cold or warm water. If the water temperature is above 75 °F (24 °C), your laundry detergent will become less effective, and excessive heat can also help set stains in your clothes. Be sure to check the care tag on your clothing to choose the optimal setting. ^{[5]
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- It’s usually fine to wash cotton with cold water and the regular wash setting.
- Fabrics made from polyester should be washed with warm water on the permanent press cycle to reduce wrinkles .
It’s best to let the garment air dry. The heat from the dryer can permanently set the stain. ^{[6]
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7
Use an ammonia solution as a last-ditch effort to salvage a set stain. If you didn’t notice your stain before washing and drying it, it’s probably already set. If nothing else works to loosen the stain, try combining 1 quart 1 US quart (950 ml) hot water, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) household ammonia, and ¹ ⁄ ₂ teaspoon (2.5 ml) bleach-free liquid laundry detergent. Soak the stain in the solution for 20 minutes, then rinse and launder. ^{[7]
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- You can also use a toothbrush to scrub the ammonia solution into the stain before laundering.
- Never combine ammonia with bleach, since the combination can result in toxic fumes. ^{[8]
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Video: Using a Washing Machine

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing the Stain by Hand

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1
Mix 1 US tbsp (15 ml) dishwashing detergent with 2 c (470 ml) cool water. Grab your dishwashing liquid and add 1 US tbsp (15 ml) to 2 c (470 ml) of cool water in a bowl. Make sure the water is very cool, as this will help lift out the stain. ^{[9]
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- If you don’t have liquid detergent, you can use any gentle soap in a pinch, including shampoo, hand soap, or body wash. ^{[10]
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Dip a clean cloth into the detergent solution and dab the stain with it. Make sure the stain is fully saturated. Don’t rub or you might spread the stain. ^{[11]
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3
Blot the area with a clean towel and repeat until the stain disappears. Take a clean towel and gently blot the area dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the above steps, applying the detergent, blotting, and drying the area. ^{[12]
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- You can repeat this step as many times as needed until the stain disappears completely.
After the stain disappears, soak a sponge in cool water. Dab and gently rub the sponge on the area to remove the detergent solution from the stain. Let the area air dry. ^{[13]
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Video: Removing the Stain by Hand

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Stain-Dissolving Products

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1
Get rid of the concealer with shaving cream. After you’ve removed any excess concealer from the fabric with a knife or spoon, apply a generous amount of shaving cream to the stain. Rub and scrub the shaving cream into the stain. Rinse and repeat until all the concealer is gone. ^{[14]
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- Be patient and rub the shaving cream into the fabric well. It may not be the quickest method, but it is effective.
2
Use a makeup wipe to remove concealer stains like the pros. Using a makeup wipe on clothes is an old trick used by makeup artists at fashion shows. Just gently blot the stain with the makeup wipe until it fades away. ^{[15]
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- This is most effective on a very fresh stain, so grab that makeup wipe immediately before the stain dries or sets.
- Makeup wipes work best on cotton fabrics. Be sure to spot test a small, indiscreet area if you want to try it on more delicate fabrics like silk.
Rub an ice cube on the stain vigorously until it fades away. The coldness can help to lift the stain, while hot water can sometimes actually spread it. ^{[16]
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If you are having trouble removing the stain with a water-based stain removing product, try adding a splash of alcohol to the area. This can help loosen the stain even more. ^{[17]
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5
Try using a dry cleaning solvent to remove the stain. Dampen a clean white cloth with dry cleaning solvent, which you can find in the laundry aisle or online. Dab the solvent on the stain and blot until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat these steps until the stain is completely gone and then let the garment air dry. ^{[18]
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- Dry cleaning solvents work to remove stains without water, so once you see the stain is gone, don’t rinse it with water.

Video: Using Stain-Dissolving Products

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Expert Q&A

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Question

Is it better to use warm or cold water to remove stains?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

The water temperature depends on how you’re treating the stain. If you’re just tossing the clothes into the washer without pre-treating the stain, you should use a warm water cycle. Warm water helps break down makeup residues like concealer, making it easier to clean. However, if you’re applying dish soap or another stain remover to the spot first, you should rinse the fabric with cold water. Cold water helps prevent the pigments or dyes in the concealer from bleeding into the fabric, which can make the stain worse. After rinsing with cold water, you can follow up with a regular wash cycle.

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Things You'll Need

Machine Washing the Clothing

A knife or spoon
Laundry detergent
Stain remover or ammonia

Removing the Stain by Hand

Dishwashing detergent or other gentle soap
Clean towel
Sponge

Tips

Treat your concealer stain as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to remove. ^{[19]
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Warnings

It’s best to use stain remover methods before you wash your clothes. It’s almost impossible to remove a stain from a garment that has already been washed and dried. ^{[20]
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Don’t use hot water if you are trying to spot treat or hand wash a stain, as this might cause the stain to spread. Use hot water only when you put the garment in the washing machine. ^{[21]
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How to Get Concealer Out of Clothes

Steps

Using a Washing Machine

Video: Using a Washing Machine

Removing the Stain by Hand

Video: Removing the Stain by Hand

Trying Other Stain-Dissolving Products

Video: Using Stain-Dissolving Products

Expert Q&A

Things You'll Need

Machine Washing the Clothing

Removing the Stain by Hand

Tips

Warnings

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References

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