How To Get Eyeliner Out Of Clothes

How to get eyeliner out of clothes? Yeah, this makeup product can highlight your eyes and also your clothes, but not in a good way. The black stain from eyeliner will ruin your favorite garment if you don’t know how to remove it the right way.

I will show you the detailed instructions for cleaning the stain and sustaining the quality of the fabric. There are some unique methods to treat different types of eyeliner, so make sure that you stick close to the instructions.

Eyeliner And Its Disturbing Stains

Well, eyeliner can stain your clothes in many ways. Just like mascara, this product makes your eyes look stunning. However, if you are learning to wear this, shaky and unstable hands will increase the chance of leaving annoying black stains on your clothes.

The liquid and cream eyeliner are even more challenging to control, and they can easily get on your garments. Also, don’t underestimate the pencil eyeliner; if you accidentally leave one outside, your kids might show off their artistic talent on your beautiful white towels.

Like other makeup stains, different colors of eyeliner have different ingredients, which will form various kinds of stains. Waterproof eyeliner and non-waterproof eyeliner require special treatment.

Fortunately, you are reading the right post, and let’s clean those disturbing stains with me.

Step-By-Step Guide To Get Rid Of Eyeliner Stains On Washable Clothes

Handling eyeliner stains is not a complex process; this detailed instruction will guide you to wash all the stains away. Fragile fabrics like silk and wool are not suitable for this method.

Dealing With Light Stains

You will want to treat the stain with mellow ingredients so as not to damage the fabric. Try the following instructions, and you will be amazed by the result.

Preparation

• Stain remover
• Liquid detergent
• Warm water
• A clean cloth
• A plastic knife

Instructions

Step 1: Blot the excess eyeliner (usually the cream or liquid form) with a plastic knife. Don’t use a sharp knife because the pointy edge might harm the fabric.

Step 2: Pretreat with a stain remover. Apply the remover directly to the stained area for one minute.

Step 3: Blot the stain with some drop of liquid laundry detergent. Don’t rub unless you want the stain to penetrate deeper into the fibers.

Step 4: Wash your garment and follow the instructions on the care tag. The stain will be inconspicuous at this time.

Step 5: Observe the stained area one more time. You need to make sure that there is no remaining stain before putting them on the dryer because a high temperature will set the stain. If you are handling a stubborn stain, try the method for this type in the next section.

Step 6: Allow the stained clothes to air dry.

Dealing With Stubborn Stain

More challenging stain requires a little special treatment. A touch of ammonia should do the work and bring back the flawless appearance of your garment.

Preparation

• Stain remover
• Liquid detergent
• Ammonia
• Warm water
• A clean cloth
• A plastic knife
• All-fabric bleach (for heavy stain)
• Chlorine bleach (for extra heavy stain and white garment)

Instructions

Note: This method uses ammonia as a solvent to clean eyeliner, so you need to make a spot test on your garment before applying it to your clothes.

Step 1: Remove any abundant eyeliner by using a plastic knife.

Step 2: Saturate the stained area with a commercial stain remover that is suitable for your clothes.

Step 3: Blot the stained area using a tiny amount of your regular laundry detergent.

Step 4: Make a solution of 1 tablespoon of ammonia and ½  tablespoon of warm water. Ammonia is an excellent laundry additive that can make stubborn stains vanish ⁽¹⁾.

Step 5: Use a clean cloth to blot the affected area with the ammonia solution until the discoloration fades away.

Step 6: Launder the clothes and take a look at the stain before drying them.

Step 7: In case the stain is still visible on the garment, mix all-fabric powder bleach with water following the instructions on the bottle. Submerge the garment in the mixture for around 15 minutes.

Step 8: If your clothes are white or the care label allows you to bleach the garment, dilute the liquid chlorine bleach with water according to the ratio on the package. Let the stained fabric soak in the bleach solution for 15 minutes.

Note: Don’t soak the clothes longer than the suggested duration; bleaching your clothes for more than 15 minutes might damage the fibers.

Step 9: Rise the clothes with water and wash them as usual either by hand or washing machine.

How to Remove Eyeliner From Jeans – A Straightforward Guide

What if your favorite jeans got some stains from an eyeliner? I bet you will feel frustrated right now because denim fabric is not an easy-going material. But hey, I’m right here to help you, don’t worry.

Preparation

• Dry-cleaning solvent
• An aerosol stain remover
• Concentrated laundry detergent
• Paper towels underneath
• Chlorine or oxygen bleach
• A clean cloth
• A spoon

Instructions

Step 1: Take the excess eyeliner out of your jeans using a spoon.

Step 2: Pretreat the stained garment with an aerosol stain remover. Let the product work for around one minute.

Step 3: Massage your jeans with a concentrated laundry detergent.

Step 4: Wash your clothes in the washer with a suitable setting for your fabric.

Step 5: If you can see the stain clearly, soak the stained jeans into chlorine or oxygen bleach. Ensure the care tag allows you to bleach the jeans because this strong chemical can harm the fibers.

Note: You can dilute bleach with water but do not mix bleach with any other cleaning agent because it might release a toxic gas that can threaten your health ⁽²⁾.

Step 6: Turn over your jeans.

Step 7: Place paper towels right under the stain to prevent the chemical and the stain from spreading to other areas.

Step 8: Damp the prepared clean cloth with dry-cleaning solvent and dab at the back of the stain.

Step 9: When the solvent dries, rinse the clothes with warm water.

Step 10: Put the stained jeans into the washer one more time and wash as usual. Then, dry your clothes.

What If The Stain Comes From Waterproof Eyeliner?

The stain from waterproof eyeliner is a bit harder to work on. Don’t panic; I know the best way to get rid of this annoying stain. Stay tuned!

Preparation

• Spoon or a plastic knife
• Paper towels (a soft cloth will work too)
• Dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent
• A clean nail brush (or a soft toothbrush)
• A stain stick or spray

Instructions

Before you start, check the care tag on your clothes; if the fabric requires dry cleaning, I think you take your garment to the cleaner. In case you can wash the clothes at home, keep reading.

Step 1: Spoon all the excess eyeliner out. Gently scrape the new eyeliner out of your clothes using a spoon.

Step 2: Use paper towels to blot the stain with a lifting motion.

Step 3: Use a nail brush to scrub a small amount of dishwashing liquid and warm water on the stained area in one direction. I love using a nail brush because its bristles are delicate and suitable for many types of fiber.

Step 4: Wash the stained zone with water.

Step 5: If the stain is still visible, use a stain stick and follow the instructions on the package. You can also use a spray bottle to treat the stain. Both stain sticks or spray bottles are designed to wipe out the discoloration, so feel free to choose the suitable one for you.

Step 6: Place the garments in the dryer or let them air dry on the clothesline.

Other Great Cleaning Methods That You Must Try

Besides the suggested instructions, I have collected some alternative solutions that you could try to fight against eyeliner stains.

Option 1: Makeup Remover

Yup, what else is more efficient than a product that is designed to clean the makeup, right? Use an eye-makeup remover to clean the stain out of your clothes perfectly.

Preparation

• An oil-free eye-makeup remover
• A dry mascara wand (or a spare toothbrush)
• A cotton pad
• A hairdryer
• A butter knife

Instructions

Step 1: Make sure your hands and fingers are cleaned by washing them with soap. 

Step 2: Remove excess stain with a butter knife.

Step 3: Use a cotton pad and wrap it around the mascara wand.

Step 4: Soak the wand into the makeup remover.

Step 5: Gently work at the stain using the back and forth motion. Do it multiple times and 10 seconds for each time. The stain will start fading.

Step 6: Let the garment air dry, or if you want to speed up the process, a hairdryer will be helpful.  You should set the air dryer in blowing mode instead of using heat because the heat might harm the fiber.

Option 2: Chlorine Bleach Or Oxygen Bleach

This is a powerful option to clean stubborn stains on white garments. If you want to bleach colored clothes, try the color bleach. Just make sure the care tag on your clothes allows you to apply bleach to your clothes.

Preparation

• Chlorine bleach (oxygen bleach or color bleach will work as well)
• Laundry stain remover
• A blunt knife

Instructions

Note: If the care label doesn’t mention any information about washing with bleach, you can make a spot test on an unnoticeable part of your clothes. If your clothes look fine after around half an hour, then it is ok to use bleach.

Step 1: Lift the excess eyeliner using a blunt knife.

Step 2: Apply laundry stain remover on the stain and let it sit there for around 15 minutes.

Step 3: Soak your clothes in the bleach for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4: Launder your clothes.

Step 5: Hang your clothes air dry.

Option 3: Soap

This method works best to reduce stains on leather items, so if you got eyeliner stains on your leather jackets or cool-looking leather paints, use a soap bar now.

Preparation

• Mild soap
• Warm water
• An absorbent cloth
• Cornmeal (or using other absorbent powder like baking soda)
• A leather conditioner
• A butter knife
• A sponge
• A toothbrush

Instructions

Step 1: Withdraw the excess eyeliner with a butter knife.

Step 2: Create a solution from soap and warm water. The suggested ratio is 1:1.

Step 3: Whisk the solution until you receive a lot of foam.

Step 4: Use a sponge to put the foam on the stained zone.

Step 5: Clean the area with the prepared cloth; just wipe gently on the stain.

Step 6: If you are facing a tough stain, sprinkle cornmeal all over the affected area and wait for at least 30 minutes.

Step 7: Brush the powder off or just shake the garment. Repeat the process a couple of times to make sure the stain is completely gone.

Step 8: Rinse with water, then apply a leather conditioner to maintain the quality of your leather items.

Watch this video to know more:

Option 4: Dish Soap Solution

A bottle of dish soap is not only handy in the kitchen but can be a great sidekick to clean the eyeliner stain. Grab a dishwashing liquid bottle in your kitchen and follow the instructions right below.

Preparation

• An old toothbrush
• Dishwashing liquid
• A dull knife

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the excess eyeliner with a dull knife.

Step 2: Mix dishwashing liquid and water, using an equal amount of each ingredient.

Step 3: Pour the solution on the stained area and rub it gently with a toothbrush. Only brush in one direction to not make a fiber messy and damage it.

Step 4: Wash the affected area with water and hang your garment air dry.

Dishwashing soap is the true MVP in removing eyeliner stain from your clothes.

Option 5: Shaving Cream

Wow! shaving cream can withdraw eyeliner out of clothes, crazy, right? Shaving cream can break down the stain and allow you to wash the stain without effort.

Preparation:

• Shaving cream
• Paper towels
• A putty knife

Instructions

Step 1: Take any excess stain off the fabric with a putty knife.

Step 2: Spray a small amount of shaving cream on the affected fabric and wait for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Blot the cream off your clothes with paper towels.

Step 4: Wash with cold water and dry your clothes.

Option 6: Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can safely saturate eyeliner stains without causing any damage to the fabric. If you have any bottle of rubbing alcohol at home, try it immediately.

Preparation

• Rubbing alcohol
• A cotton ball or a clean rag
• A blunt knife

Instructions

Step 1: Remove the abundant eyeliner on your garment with the help of a blunt knife.

Step 2: Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and work on the stained zone. An absorbent clean rag is also an excellent choice.

Step 3: Keep on rubbing until the stain fades away.Step 4: Machine wash your clothes, then hang them air dry.

You Must Memorize These Notes While Cleaning The Stain

While processing the stain from eyeliner, there are a few prominent points that you need to remember to bring the best result.

Choose The Suitable Cleaner/Remover

If you are going to use makeup remover to wipe out the stain, make sure you choose the correct one. For the waterproof eyeliner stains, the oil-based cleaner will cut the stain while non-waterproof eyeliner stains will saturate with alcohol-based.

Always Check The Stain

Before you dry the garment, make sure the stain is completely gone. Drying with heat will set the remaining stain and make it even tougher to remove.

Lukewarm Water

Water with a high temperature will help loosen the stains and increase the possibility of eliminating the discoloration entirely. Use the highest temperature allowed in the care label, and your garment will be fine.

FAQs

Craving for further information about cleaning eyeliner stains? Here are some frequently asked questions that will give you more useful knowledge. Let’s address them one by one.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice wearing eyeliner will give you confidence, as the more time you spend on practicing, the more stable your hands are. Your eyes will be flawless, and yes, your clothes will have a lower chance of getting stains from this makeup product.

So, keep practicing, and if you are a newbie, I’m right here to help you remove the stains without any marks. Share this post with your friends who are in need and hit the like button if you find the provided information is useful.

Reference

1. ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. 2021. Ammonia Uses and Benefits | Chemical Safety Facts.
2. Helmenstine, A., 2021. Oxygen Bleach vs Chlorine Bleach. [online] Science Notes and Projects.