I’m a cleaning expert – here’s how to remove ANY makeup stain from your carpet this party season
WE’VE all been there.
You’re getting ready for the day, and you apply your makeup. You look in the mirror and notice that you somehow have a huge lipstick or foundation mark on your carpet.
Luckily cleaning expert Rosalind Peters has shared her top tips with beanbags.co.uk on how to banish any makeup stains in an instant.
Foundation stains (water-based)
“If you accidentally get a foundation stain on your carpet, you need to act fast as naturally foundation sets quite quickly. However, how you act depends on the foundation formula.
“If your foundation is water-based, you should blot away any excess makeup with a paper towel, then rinse the area with warm water.
“Next, pre-treat the stain with dish soap by massaging it in. Allow the dish soap to work for 20 minutes on the stain so that it has enough time to airdry.
“Whatever you do, NEVER use the heat from a hairdryer to speed up this process as it can cause a stain to set.
“If all else fails, try using an enzyme-based detergent. These cleaners are designed to break down protein stains such as blood, sweat and urine without damaging your clothes – and therefore should work on your carpet.”
Foundation stains (oil-based)
“Your best chance of removing an oil-based makeup stain from a carpet is to act quickly by dampening the stained area with cold water.
“You should then add a few drops of fairy liquid, or your choice of washing-up liquid, and allow it to sit on the stained area for a couple of minutes.
“Next, you should use a microfiber cloth to dab gently. In turn, this helps break up the oils within the foundation and helps it disappear.
“Finally, gently blot the stained area with a paper towel – and keep repeating until it has gone.”
Lipstick stains
“To get rid of lipstick stains on carpets, use a cloth dipped in warm water and dab it on the affected area until the stain disappears completely.”
Mascara stains
“If you have mascara stains on your carpet, use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to dissolve the makeup and get rid of it completely.
“Afterwards, clean up any remaining residue using another cotton swab dipped in baby oil or mineral oil.”
Eyeshadow stains
“Eyeshadow contains a variety of pigments that are hard to remove from carpets and upholstery.
“You have to act fast when dealing with this type of stain, however, or you risk having it set into the fabric.
“The first step is to blot the stain with cold water. This will help set the stain and make it easier to remove. It’s also important not to use hot water, as this could cause the dye in the eyeshadow to set deeper into the carpet fibers.
“Once you’ve blotted off as much of the eye shadow as possible with cold water, apply dish soap directly onto the stained area and rub vigorously with your fingers until all traces of colour are gone from the area.
“Rinse well with cold water again after scrubbing to ensure that no soap residue remains behind.
“If you’ve dropped a light-coloured eyeshadow, add toothpaste directly to the stain and rub it in with a damp cloth.
“However, for darker stains, apply some vinegar directly onto the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes before scrubbing off with a wet rag. Both of these methods will work”
Powder stains
“Firstly, you should get your vacuum and go over the spot. Next, dampen a clean cloth or sponge of choice with some dish soap, and gently dab it over the stain.
“Keep rinsing the cloth and repeat this stage until the soap has disappeared. You should then blot the area with a paper towel unless the excess water has gone.”