There’s an art to putting on makeup, from base to setting spray. You gotta get that eyeliner flick sharp enough, that contour blended enough, and those eyebrows filled in just right. It takes concentration and skill, and it… has spilled onto your carpet.
Oops!
How to get makeup out of carpet? Your cleaning method will depend on the type of makeup stain.
Always start by scraping and blotting away as much makeup as possible.
A foundation stain will need dish soap and cold water, while liquid eyeliner can be cleaned with vinegar. You can get lipstick out with degreaser. Eyeshadow and blush can be cleaned with a soap mixture. And of course, use an oil-free makeup remover for mascara.
It’s as simple as that. There’s no need to panic about makeup stains on carpet… unless it was limited edition – darn it!
Will Makeup Stains Come Out of Carpet?
Short answer: yes! If you act quickly so the makeup doesn’t set into the carpet fibres, then you can remove makeup stains easily.
Use the appropriate cleaning agent and don’t rub the stain – it’ll be harder to clean and might spread.
It’s also essential that you don’t use coloured or dyed cloth when wiping makeup stains. The colour from the cloth could transfer onto the fibres, which will be more difficult to remove.
How to Get Makeup Out of Carpet
Knocked over a bottle of foundation? Dropped your mascara wand? Don’t panic.
Always start by using a clean cloth or paper towel to remove excess makeup from carpet. Gently blot, don’t rub!
You can also carefully pick up any blobs or gunk from the fibres. Get as much out as you can – the less you need to clean, the better.
Removing eyeliner from carpet
An eyeliner pencil won’t pose any problems, but liquid liner? That’s a different problem. To get eyeliner out of carpet, you’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth
Start by mixing a tablespoon of vinegar in half a cup of warm water. Lightly dampen a white cloth with the solution, then use it to blot the stain. Work from the outside in so you don’t spread the eyeliner.
Keep working until there’s no more eyeliner left. Then get a fresh cloth dipped in plain water to blot up any remaining vinegar solution.
Removing bullet lipstick from carpet
This will depend on whether you’ve dropped bullet or liquid lipstick. Bullet lipstick is usually fat- or oil-based, so you’ll need something to break that down:
- Degreaser (such as WD-40)
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth
Pick out any solid bits of lipstick using a paper towel. Try your best not to push the clumps into the fibres.
Degreasers are strong products, so you can dilute them with a little water. Test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area to check that it doesn’t cause discolouration or damage.
Dab on the degreaser mix and let it sit for 5 minutes. Use a fresh microfiber cloth dipped in clean water to clean up any residue.
Removing liquid lipstick from carpet
Liquid lipstick stains in a different way than bullet lipstick, since it can seep into fibres. To clean up liquid lipstick stains, you’ll need:
- Enzyme laundry detergent
- Water
- White vinegar
- Clean cloth or sponge
Pre-treat the stain with a solution of 1 teaspoon enzyme detergent mixed with a cup of water. Let it soak for 3–5 minutes.
Take a fresh microfiber cloth dipped in clean water and use it to rinse off the detergent residue.
Then apply some white vinegar to the stained area using a cloth or sponge. Let it sit for a minute, then rinse it with another damp cloth.
Gently blot the area dry. Leave the carpet to air out overnight.
Removing liquid foundation from carpet
If you’ve accidentally squirted out liquid foundation or dropped your cream cushion on carpet, act fast! You’ll need:
- A dull knife or spoon
- Dish soap
- Cold water
- White cloth or paper towel
Start by scraping up as much excess foundation as you can using the dull knife or spoon. Be mindful not to push the substance further into the carpet.
Mix a tablespoon of dish soap into two cups of cold water and stir well. Drip a white cloth into the solution and wring it out.
Dab at the stain to remove it, working from the outside in. You can use small circular motions if needed. Blot until there’s no more colour transfer.
Dip a second cloth into plain water and use it to rinse the area. Repeat if necessary, then use a fresh microfiber cloth to dry the area.
Removing mascara from carpet
This is a bit tricky, since mascara dries fast and clumpy. It’s a good idea to keep eye makeup remover handy – it works on more than just your lashes!
- Oil-free eye makeup remover
- Cold water
- Microfiber cloth
Apply the makeup remover to the cloth – not directly onto the carpet.
Dab at the mascara until all of it has lifted from the fibres. Reapply to a clean spot on the cloth and repeat as necessary.
Dry the area with a new cloth once it’s clean.
How to Remove Powder Makeup from Carpet
This includes eyeshadows, powder foundation, blush, and other things that come in powder form. These tend not to stain as badly as liquid makeup, although they can leave some colour residue.
Start by vacuuming to remove as much of the powder as possible. Use the upholstery attachment so you don’t damage the carpet and spread the stain.
Spray the affected area with shaving foam. The foamy shaving cream is essentially aerated soap, which will break down the stain.
Take a moist microfiber cloth and work the foam into the stain using circular motions.
Dab the area with a damp towel to rinse. You can repeat as needed until the entire stain has lifted.
Can You Remove a Makeup Stain with Hydrogen Peroxide?
You can – for lighter carpets. Hydrogen peroxide causes bleaching and discolouration, so if you use it on coloured fabrics, you’ll end up with a pale blotch.
Even for lighter carpets, test the hydrogen peroxide on an inconspicuous spot first. Then apply a few drops directly onto the stain. Dab to help it spread, but don’t rub. Let it sit for a minute.
Dampen a clean cloth with water and use it to rinse the area. Then take a new cloth to gently pat dry.
How to Remove Makeup Stains that Have Dried
If you didn’t notice a makeup stain and it dried up, you’ll need to put in some extra work to remove the tough stains.
You can “rehydrate” a dry stain by pre-soaking it in a teaspoon of enzyme laundry detergent mixed in a cup of warm water.
Let the solution sit for 3–5 minutes, then rinse it with a sponge dampened with water. Choose the appropriate stain remover afterwards.
Brush Up on Makeup Cleaning
Do not use paint remover or nail polish remover to remove makeup stains from carpet. Unless you’ve thoroughly tested the product, these could damage the fibres.
If the stain persists despite your best efforts, it’s probably time to have it professionally cleaned.
Act quickly to remove makeup stains from other surfaces in your bedroom as well! Maybe something splotched on the dresser, or a little one got creative with the lipstick.
Alternatively, you can leave it to a qualified home cleaner to do the job.
Be mindful when using makeup products, especially if you’re in a hurry! It pays to know how to get makeup out of carpet, but hopefully, you won’t need to actually do it – that MAC lippie could be irreplaceable.
