How to Get Mascara Out of Clothes: 5 Easy Fixes That Work

Let the smudge dry, brush off what you can, then work in a drop of dish soap and rinse with cool water, and most mascara marks lift right out. If you are working out how to get mascara out of clothes, the type of mascara matters, because waterproof formulas are made to resist water and need an oil-dissolving step first. Mascara is a mix of pigment, waxes and oils, so it behaves more like a grease stain than a dye stain. This guide shows how to get mascara out of clothes on everyday fabrics, delicates and stubborn dried marks.

Why Mascara Stains Are Tricky

Most mascara contains black iron oxide pigment held in waxes such as beeswax or carnauba wax, plus oils that help it glide on. The waxes and oils grab onto fabric fibers, while the tiny pigment particles settle deep in the weave. Plain water slides right over the oily layer, which is why a quick rinse usually spreads the mark instead of removing it.

Waterproof mascara adds film-forming ingredients that resist water and sweat, so it needs a solvent or an oil to break down. That difference is the key to how to get mascara out of clothes without wasting time on the wrong method. Check the tube if you are not sure which kind you used.

How to Get Mascara Out of Clothes With Dish Soap

Dish soap is the best first step for regular mascara on cotton, polyester and blends, since it is made to cut grease. RMS Beauty suggests a quarter cup of dish soap in one cup of warm water, blotted on with a sponge.

Let a wet smear dry for a few minutes, then gently scrape off the loose flakes with a dull knife.
Dampen the stain with cool water from the back of the fabric.
Work a drop of Dawn or a similar grease-cutting dish soap into the spot with your fingertip.
Let it sit for five to ten minutes so the soap can break down the waxes.
Rinse with cool water from the back, pushing the stain out the way it came in.

Blot rather than rub, since rubbing pushes the pigment deeper and spreads the edges. Repeat until the water runs clear, then wash the item as usual. This method is how to get mascara out of clothes in most cases before you reach for anything stronger.

Waterproof Mascara Needs Oil or Micellar Water First

Water-based soap struggles with waterproof formulas, so pre-treat the spot with something that dissolves oil. RMS Beauty recommends applying coconut oil or micellar water to the stain before washing. Dab a cotton pad soaked in micellar water, such as Garnier or Bioderma, onto the mark and let it sit for a few minutes.

Once the mascara starts to lift, follow with the dish soap step to remove both the stain and the oil. Skipping the soap can leave a greasy ring behind. This two-step approach is how to get mascara out of clothes when the formula refuses to budge with water alone.

Rubbing Alcohol for Stubborn or Dried Marks

Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is a strong solvent that breaks down dried mascara pigment. Dab it on with a cotton ball, working from the outer edge toward the middle so the stain does not spread. Let it sit for about ten minutes, blot, then rinse and treat any leftover shadow with dish soap.

Glam notes that a clear hand sanitizer works in a pinch, since its main ingredient is isopropyl alcohol. Avoid colored sanitizers, which can add a new stain. Test alcohol on a hidden seam first, since it can lift dye from some fabrics. This step is how to get mascara out of clothes that have already been worn all day with the mark on them.

Delicate Fabrics: Silk, Wool and Embellished Pieces

Silk, wool, rayon and acetate need a gentler hand, which changes how to get mascara out of clothes made from them. Mix one teaspoon of dish soap into a cup of cool water and dab it on with a clean sponge. Alcohol can damage acetate and some silk dyes, so skip it unless the care label allows it.

For beaded or sequined pieces, soak only the stained section in cool soapy water instead of rubbing. A dry cleaner is the safest choice for dry-clean-only items, and pointing out the stain helps them pick the right treatment.

Washing and Drying Safely

Washing is the last step in how to get mascara out of clothes. Once the mark is gone, wash the item on the warmest water the care label allows, using a stain-fighting detergent such as Tide or Persil. Pre-treat sprays like Shout or Zout help if a faint shadow is still there.

Check the spot before drying, because dryer heat can set any remaining oil and pigment for good. Air dry the item if you see even a slight gray mark, then treat it again. Our guide on how to remove deodorant stains covers another common beauty stain, and more fixes live in our laundry and stains guides.

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FAQs

Does mascara permanently stain clothes?

Mascara rarely stains for good if you learn how to get mascara out of clothes and treat it before washing and drying. Heat from the dryer is what usually makes it permanent, so always check the spot first.

Can I use makeup remover on clothes?

An oil-free makeup remover or micellar water works well on waterproof mascara stains. Rinse it out with dish soap afterward so no oily residue is left in the fabric.

Does hairspray remove mascara?

Older hairsprays contained a lot of alcohol, which is why the trick became popular. Many modern formulas contain less alcohol and add oils, so rubbing alcohol is more reliable.

How do I get mascara off a white shirt?

Use the dish soap method first, then dab on 3% hydrogen peroxide for any gray shadow on white cotton. Test it on an inside seam first, and never use it on colored fabric.

Final Thoughts

Let it dry, scrape the excess, use dish soap for regular mascara and an oil or alcohol for waterproof formulas. Now that you know how to get mascara out of clothes, keep a small bottle of dish soap in your makeup bag for quick fixes.