How To Get Mascara out of Clothes
It happened just before you left for work. Or a date. Or a big event. While meticulously applying your second and final coat of mascara, you accidentally drop the spoolie wand and watch, almost in slow motion, as it slides down the front of your shirt and lands on your pants.
After a quick wardrobe change, you toss your clothes to the side, confident you’ll either recycle them or get rid of them for good. Don’t worry; stain removal technology has come a long way, and there’s definitely hope of getting mascara stains out of your clothing for good.
At Lashify®, we focus a lot on lashes, which means testing out new lash products and understanding what ingredients are inside and how they work. It also means we can help you figure out which ingredients are causing the stains and how to get them out.
We’ll talk about why mascara stains, what you can do, and how to get rid of mascara stains once and for all.
Mascara: What’s Inside
That obsidian-based lash lengthener you love is practically magic. It lengthens, it darkens, and some formulas even make your lashes appear fuller. Unfortunately, the ingredients in mascara that make it lengthen and volumize your lashes can be difficult to remove from fabric.
Here’s what you’ll usually find inside:
- Wax. If your mascara has a volumizing component, you can be assured it contains some type of thickening wax. While these may be natural and plant-based, they are obviously greasy ingredients that, once in contact with your clothing, will be harder to remove.
- Polymers, preservatives, and petroleum. Mascara can be hiding places for synthetic ingredients that aren’t necessarily safe for your eyes or sensitive eye skin. Many waterproof formulas contain PFAS, which can be harmful to your body and almost impossible to remove from clothing. (Emphasis on almost.)
- Pigment. The color you love in your deepest black mascara or the perfect shade of dark brown is probably delivered in the form of carbon black. Carbon black is made from byproducts of the coal mining industry and can adhere to fabric with some serious staying power.
The formula of your mascara will make it either easier or harder to remove from your clothing. If your mascara contains natural, plant-based ingredients and isn’t waterproof, you’ve got a better shot at removing the stain. If your mascara is waterproof or contains lengthening “fibers,” removing the stain will take extra work.
How Do I Remove Mascara Stains From Clothes?
Having an early morning meltdown due to a mascara stain? Blot your eyes (so you don’t smudge your mascara) and follow these steps to remove the stain and spare your shirt.
These tips are for washable clothing. If you get a stain on an article of clothing that is dry clean only, take it to the cleaners and let them attempt to remove the stain for you.
1. Stain Remover Spray
Stain remover sprays are highly concentrated cleansers with powerful enzymes to break down stains. All mascaras contain oils and waxes, which can be more damaging to your clothes than the actual pigment and harder to remove.
Start by using a spot treatment product on the stain. Massage the spot treatment into the stain with a small, soft bristle brush (like a toothbrush) or your finger. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Pro tip: If you have a stain on a fabric that can’t be brushed, use your finger or a soft cloth to press the stain treatment into the stain. After you’ve allowed the stain remover to do its job, toss the article in the wash on the highest temperature setting allowable per the clothing label.
2. Detergent
If you don’t have a stain remover spray, you can use detergent or dish soap to treat the stain. Dab a small amount of detergent directly onto the stain and follow the same steps as above, gently working it into the stain to eliminate it. Repeat with another application of dish soap or detergent, and then wash the garment on the hottest allowable setting.
3. Baking Soda
If you’d prefer a more natural alternative for stain removal, baking soda is your go-to. Baking soda draws the stain out of clothing so it can be washed away.
Make a paste on the stain by sprinkling baking soda directly onto the stain and adding a few drops of water. Massage the paste into the stain with a brush, finger, or cloth, and then allow it to sit overnight. It’s important to keep the stain wet, so make sure the fabric is saturated.
Follow up by washing the garment on the hottest setting.
Helpful Tips
While you’re treating your mascara stains, here are a few important tips to keep you from harming your clothing further or allowing the stain to fully set.
- Don’t brush or rub delicate fabrics. Silk, most sweaters, and cashmere can sustain damage from a brush or aggressive rubbing. Instead, just sprinkle or spray the treatment onto the stain and press it in with a damp cloth.
- Don’t dry your clothes if the stain doesn’t come out immediately. If you treat the stain and it doesn’t come out after you wash it, you can treat it again as long as it has not been dried with heat.
- Consider bleach. If you have a stain that is faint (after working on it) or that won’t come out, you can consider using a color-safe bleach or laundry additive (think Oxyclean) to remove the last traces of the stain.
If all else fails, you can always contact a professional dry cleaner to see if they have a solution for dealing with tough stains.
At Lashify, however, we believe the best way to deal with a mascara stain is not to get one in the first place.
Lashify Over Mascara
The Lashify DIY Lash Extension™ System allows you to get the lengthy, voluminous lashes you want without ever using mascara. Our Gossamer® lashes are designed to lift, volumize, and lengthen your lash line and last for up to 10 days with proper care.
If you’ve tried other at-home lash kits and had little success, you should know the ways that Lashify is different.
- Gossamer lashes. Our lashes are 100% cruelty-free and made from Korean PBT silk, which mimics mink lashes. All the fluffy minky goodness, but none of the mink inclusion.
- Our Bonds are made without dangerous chemicals and never fully harden, so they won’t harm your natural lashes or cause them to become brittle and break. Bonds contain biotin and lavender to help nourish your lashes the entire time you’re wearing your Gossamer lash extensions.
- Underlash Technology™. Gossamer lashes are applied beneath your natural lash line, which makes them easier to apply and helps them wear more comfortably. Even if you’ve never used lash extensions before, you can learn to use the Lashify system quickly and easily.
You can get started with Lashify by grabbing the go-to kit that contains everything you need, including your first two sets of Gossamer lashes: the Control Kit™.
The Control Kit
Our fully customizable Control Kit contains:
- Two sets of Gossamer lashes. Pick two from our Curl, Amplify, or Bold collections.
- Fuse Control® Wand. The wand that helps you get your Gossamers perfectly placed each and every time is available in two sizes to fit your face and hands perfectly.
- One set of Wandoms®. Don’t be a fool, protect your tool. Wandoms protect the ends of the Fuse Control Wand so that your Gossamer lashes don’t stick to the ends during application. Wandoms are reusable several times and are absolutely essential for mess-free Gossamer application. You can grab extra sets of Wandoms here.
- Whisper Light Bond™. This is our most popular dual-sided bond. It comes in both clear and black and never leaves behind a residue.
- Glass Finishing Coat. The perfect sealer for getting long wear out of your lashes. You don’t have to seal your Gossamers, but if you do, Glass is a great solution.
- Samples. Each Control Kit comes with samples of Pre Cleanse, our Japanese Cleansing Water that preps your lashes for placement, and Melt Away, our dual-phase, oil-based makeup remover that helps you easily remove your Gossamers when it’s time to take them off.
Everything comes wrapped up in a protective hard case so you always know where to find your lash gear when you need it.
No More Stains
Mascara stains can be hard to deal with and take time to remove. Instead of the hassle, why not get lashes that are longer, more voluminous, and overall better for your look and your lash health? Lashify gives you the best lashes with no need to worry about stains.
Sources:
Are there toxins in your mascara? | News | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
