How To Get Eyeshadow Out Of Carpet

The question of how to get eyeshadow out of carpet is not new to some of you. Undoubtedly, the idea of having a carpet in the bedroom is tempting. It adds a fancy touch to your sleeping zone, not to mention making it feel cozier and more spacious.

However, you will regret that when you think further about accidents that can happen on your carpet. Imagine that while you are finding the right shades for your eye, some invisible forces pull the eyeshadow palette to the ground. Now, the carpet turns into a powdery mess.

Is this what you are going through? What will you do next? Read on and unveil the answers!

Doing Makeup On The Carpet Is A Big No-No

Thank God it’s Friday again! After a week of working hard, you can finally glam up for a night out with the girls. You put on your dress, curl your hair, and finish with a little makeup. As you are getting excited, you realize that you have dropped the eyeshadow palette on the carpet.

Big trouble! Besides the fact that it’s your latest pickup, the carpet is now covered in shades of blush, bronze, and pink. Now, all plans are canceled as you have something more urgent to do. It’s time to get on your knees and clean up this mess!

The Best Tricks To Remove Eyeshadow From Your Carpet

Fortunately, the issue is resolvable, and it’s pretty straightforward to do so when you come to the rescue right away. Even if the eyeshadow has set in a bit, you can still break it down with the following tricks.

Before Getting Started

Firstly, you will need to determine whether your eyeshadow is a powder or liquid.

If it’s a powder eyeshadow, grab a spoon and scoop the excess powder away. You can use a pocket knife or any blunt object instead. Prepare some washcloths or paper towels next to the area to catch the powder when you get it off the carpet.

If it’s a liquid eyeshadow, dab the eyeshadow blob with a clean washcloth or a paper towel. You can also use the spoon method when you have too much of it on the carpet. They won’t firm up unless you neglect them for days, so you should not be worried.

How To Clean Eyeshadow From Your Carpet (10 Excellent Ways)

Once you have got the majority of eyeshadow from the carpet, you are all set. Below are ten methods to clean the residue and bring your carpet back to its former glory. From dish soap, shaving cream to ammonia, what’s your pick?

1. Vacuum Cleaner

This method is simple and takes very little of your time, particularly if the eyeshadow is in the form. Your safest bet for this job is a carpet vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. It can suck up fine particles without ruining your device.

Materials

• Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
• Upholstery attachment

Instructions

To begin with, attach the upholstery tool to the vacuum. It should come with the device when you first buy it, along with other attachments. Next, power up the vacuum and place it on the stain. The suction will pull the eyeshadow out of the carpet easily.

Note: You don’t have to run the device repeatedly over the stain. Doing so will spread it even further, and that’s the very last thing you want to happen.

2. Vinegar

With a mild acidity, vinegar remains one of the best choices for removing stains, disinfecting household surfaces, and neutralizing foul odors. When accidents occur and leave a gigantic mess on your carpet, vinegar is only one call away.

Materials

• White vinegar
• Water
• Washcloth

Instructions

Step 1: Dilute a teaspoon of white vinegar in a cup of warm water. Stir well to dissolve.

Step 2: Apply the vinegar solution to the eyeshadow with gentle blotting motions. Do not rub the eyeshadow, or you will happen to push it into the fibers.

Step 3: Rinse the solution with plain water once finished and blot the stain dry.

3. Shaving Cream

Like most cosmetic products, your eyeshadow palette is oil-based. Fortunately, the cleaning conundrum will no longer be a challenge when shaving cream is at your disposal. It contains many active ingredients like surfactants and should help you finish the job quickly.

Materials

• Shaving cream
• Water
• Washcloths

Instructions

Step 1: First, saturate the stain to dissolve the remaining product. Don’t use too much water.

Step 2: Next, squirt an adequate amount of shaving cream on the stain. You can let it sit for 2 minutes or work the cream into the affected fibers immediately with your fingers or a damp washcloth.

Note: For the optimal result, you should not use gel, as the texture will make the cleaning-up more difficult.

Step 3: As the eyeshadow stain fades, rinse the working site with water. Alternatively, grab a damp cloth and wipe the excess cream away.

Shaving cream is a savior for eyeshadow stains on your carpet.

4. Makeup Remover

What’s a better way to counter makeup stains other than a makeup remover? Just give them one good wiping, and everything’s gone. Yet, keep in mind that some products contain harsh ingredients (for instance, coal tar dyes) that can cause further damage to your carpet.

Materials

• Makeup remover
• Water
• Washcloths

Instructions

Step 1: As said earlier, some makeup removers can be corrosive. Hence, to make sure that nothing goes wrong, you should conduct a patch test in advance. Apply a tiny amount of the product on an inconspicuous area of your carpet and check for colorfastness.

Step 2: If nothing seems wrong, you can now apply it to the stain. Again, you will use a cloth to do it and pat the eyeshadow lightly.

Step 3: When the final traces of eyeshadow are gone, rinse the affected area with water and let it dry.

Note: Your best bet is to use an eye makeup remover. It often contains fewer chemicals as it is made to use around your eyes, which are highly sensitive areas.

5. Dishwashing Detergent

Should you not have a makeup remover at hand, you can grab a bottle of dish soap from the kitchen as a stand-in. This household product can cut through build-up grease with no effort, so you can be assured that it will work on eyeshadows as well.

Materials

• Dishwashing detergent
• Water
• Washcloths

Instructions

Step 1: While it’s true that most dishwashing soaps are not too abrasive, prevention is better than cure. That said, you should skim through the label to check if your product contains any chemicals. If it does, purchase a different bottle or move on to other options.

Step 2: On the other hand, if you believe your dish soap is safe to use, pour a small amount of it on the stain and give it some gentle dabs. Avoid applying too much pressure, which can cause the eyeshadow to set into the fibers.

Step 3: As the pigment loosens, finish the process with a thorough rinse.

6. Laundry Detergent

No luck with your dishwashing soap? You still have a laundry detergent, which can break up different stains on your carpet and upholstery since it contains alkalis. Whether it’s dirt, dust, or stubborn stains left by blood, coffee, or makeup, it works like a charm.

Materials

• Dishwashing detergent
• Water
• Washcloths

Instructions

Similar to the previous method, you will create a soapy solution by adding 5 drops of a mild laundry detergent to a cup of cold water. Apply the solution to the stain and rinse it carefully afterward.

7. Glass Cleaner

Despite the name, a glass cleaner is not made just for keeping the shine of your windows. It is also involved in many cleaning works, including removing nail polish from the carpet. One popular choice you can try is Windex, which is highly prized for its effectiveness.

Materials

• Glass cleaner
• Water

Instructions

Step 1: To start with, check whether the glass cleaner you have contains dyes or chemicals. These ingredients will cause the issue even more difficult to resolve.

Step 2: Spray the cleaner directly on the affected spot if it suits the requirements. Allow it to sit as instructed on the label.

Step 3: Later, wash the cleaning solution away, and don’t forget to dry your carpet properly.

8. Drying Solvent

If you don’t see the potential with these household supplies, it’s time to move on to a drying solvent. Even though it’s a fluid, it contains no water and is super effective against stubborn stains on your clothes or other fabric surfaces.

Materials

• Drying solvent
• Washcloths
• Air mask
• Gloves

Instructions

Step 1: Pour a sufficient amount of drying solvent on a clean cloth. Its vapor is detrimental to human health, so you are advised to put on an air mask and gloves when using it. ⁽¹⁾ Ensure that the space is well-ventilated until the end of the process.

Step 2: Treat the eyeshadow stain with the cloth. You will find this method much easier since there is no water.

Step 3: When the stain lifts, wick the solvent away with a damp cloth. 

9. Ammonia

Ammonia is a household product with amazing cleaning properties. It is used to treat laundry stains, glisten up glass, and combat stains on a carpet. Nonetheless, using ammonia is not a child’s play; when used incorrectly or excessively, it can be troublesome.

Materials

• Ammonia
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Washcloths
• Air mask
• Gloves

Instructions

Step 1: Although not as potent as bleach, ammonia can decolorize your carpet to a certain extent. Given that, you should do a spot test before using it on a larger scale. Its fumes can cause your nose and throat to feel irritated, so remember to put on a mask and gloves. ⁽²⁾

Step 2: Provided that your carpet can withstand its effects, dissolve a teaspoon of ammonia with half a cup of warm water. Then, transfer the solution to a spray bottle and give the stain some good spritzes.

Step 3: After a few minutes, take a wet cloth and blot the stain gently to get rid of the excess fluid. 

10. Hydrogen Peroxide

Don’t give up when ammonia is not the answer to your problem. As a last resort, you will use hydrogen peroxide to reverse the damage. Like ammonia, this cleaning agent is fairly strong and must be exercised with caution.

Materials

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Washcloths

Instructions

Step 1: First and foremost, you will also carry out a patch test as you do with ammonia.

Step 2: If hydrogen peroxide does not cause any damage to the fibers, moisten a washcloth with 2-3 drops of it. After that, work the cloth into the fibers to get the eyeshadow out.

Step 3: Repeat the process until the stain is no longer visible. Finish off with a quick rinse to get rid of the residual hydrogen peroxide.

The Dos And Don’ts To Make Your Cleaning Job Effortless

Don’t skip the following section. Once it’s etched in your mind, rest assured that there will be no room for failure. Check it out!

Dos

• Act quickly: Even a few minutes can make a profound difference, so don’t postpone the work as soon as you drop your palette on the carpet. When the eyeshadow dries up, removing it is an outside shot.  
• Check for colorfastness: Some cleaners can cause the fabric dye to leak, resulting in another unsightly stain on your carpet. Thus, performing this test is very important.
• Resist the urge to rub: To some people, a little rubbing can speed up the procedure, but it only makes matters worse. Back and forth motions will cause the eyeshadow to spread or set in the fibers even more.

Don’ts

• Mix chemical products: This is a bad idea and can result in explosive reactions. To illustrate, when you combine hydrogen peroxide with ammonia, a violent gas will be released into the air and sometimes followed with a big bang.
• Soak the stain: Contrary to popular belief, oversaturating the stain will only do more harm than good. The excess fluid will reach the carpet’s backing and get stuck there, leading to another common household issue. You guessed it: that’s mold.
• Go solo: Yes, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your own company, but that is not what you should do when discoloration or shrinkage happens. Don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional if you feel that the damage is beyond your control.

FAQs

As always, this section is dedicated to some of your common queries. Don’t skip it if you are looking for the answers!

Bring Your Carpet Back To Life

How do you feel about my guide on how to get eyeshadow out of carpet? I’m pretty sure that you have enjoyed it. With a few tools and a little elbow grease, your carpet will bounce back and look gorgeous again.

Before this post ends, here’s a reminder: drop your comment and share the result of your job with me. Even without hindsight, I can tell that it’s a roaring success. Should you have further questions about the process, feel free to let me know as well. 

References

1. Ilo.org. 2021. SOLVENTS – International occupational safety & health information center.
2. Tn.gov. 2021. Ammonia.