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In the world of high fashion -- or even just hanging out in coffee shops -- nothing says bummer more than a makeup malfunction. We love it on our faces, but typically, we don't welcome makeup on our clothes. If you're using makeup that touts itself as "colorfast," you may be even more worried that your clothing is going to be down for the count for good -- but by acting fast and staying persistent, you may be able to get the stains out, and be able to wear your cotton garment again.
Solvent
Depending on the type of makeup that's done its deed on your cotton clothes, you may have to resort to stronger measures to ensure the oils are broken down. To start out, Beautylish recommends dabbing a dry-cleaning solvent on the stain and allowing it to dry. After that, wash the clothing.
Rubbing Alcohol
If you don't want to go the route of begging some solvent off your local dry cleaner, you could try another solution that may be in your medicine cabinet: rubbing alcohol. It can work the same way as the solvent -- dab some on, allow it to dry, then wash the garment as you normally would.
Soap and Water
When it comes to getting makeup out of clothing, Heloise recommends something so old-fashioned you may have overlooked it: simple soap and water. Once you've treated the garment in any way you were able, wash it under a tap of hot or warm water with laundry detergent. Be sure to dab, not rub, into the fabric, and don't be surprised if it takes more than one washing to actually get the stain out.
Cotton and Bleach
When it comes to stain removal, a really deep makeup stain may call for bleach or a bleaching agent. According to Iowa State University's University Extension, cotton can be weakened by repeated bleaching, but bleach can be used for occasional stain removal. If you decide to use bleach, dilute the solution before using it on your cotton garment. Do not use bleach combined with the rubbing alcohol, solvent or any cleaner containing ammonia. Read labels carefully before using.
