How to get mascara out of clothes

You finish your makeup, feel good about it, and then glance down at your shirt. There it is. A dark smear of mascara on the fabric. It happens to most of us at some point, and the good news is that mascara stains are usually removable if you act quickly and use the right method.

The most reliable way to get mascara out of clothes is to treat the stain before it dries. A stain remover stick like Tide-to-Go, a bar of pink Zote laundry soap, or a grease-fighting dish soap like Dawn can all do the job. For tougher stains, baking soda and vinegar give you a natural option worth trying. And if all else fails, a professional dry cleaner can usually finish the job.

Here is a practical breakdown of each method so you can choose what works best for what you have on hand.

How to get mascara out of clothes

Start with laundry detergent or a stain remover stick

This is the first thing to reach for, because it is usually enough. Wet the stained area with the hottest water the garment’s care label allows. Then apply your stain remover directly to the spot. A stain remover stick like Tide-to-Go or Shout works well here. So does a pink Zote soap bar, which is what many dry cleaning professionals recommend for fabric stains at home.

Let the stain remover sit on the fabric for at least 20 to 30 minutes before washing. Then run the garment through a regular machine wash cycle. Once the cycle finishes, check the stain before putting the clothing in the dryer. Heat sets stains permanently, so skip the dryer if any trace of mascara is still visible. Repeat the treatment as needed before drying.

Use dish soap for oil-based mascara

Mascara is an oil-based product, which means a grease-cutting dish soap is a practical choice for removing it from fabric. Dawn and Palmolive are both good options because they are formulated to cut through oil.

Start by gently blotting the stained area. Do not rub the stain deeper into the fabric. Apply a small amount of dish soap to the spot along with a little hot water. Use a soft-bristled brush, like an old toothbrush, to work the soap into the stain using small circular motions. Once you see the stain starting to lift, rinse the area and repeat if needed. After two or three rounds, wash the garment in the hottest water safe for that fabric.

If the stain is stubborn, you can add a small amount of household ammonia to your dish soap mixture. This can help break down the pigment further. If the garment is dry-clean only, a dry cleaning solvent dabbed gently onto the spot is a safer approach than soap and water. Work carefully and slowly, and test on a hidden area of the fabric first.

Try baking soda and vinegar for a natural approach

If you prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, a baking soda and vinegar method is worth trying. It takes more patience than dish soap or a commercial stain remover, but it can work well with repeated applications.

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly over the mascara stain. Pour a small amount of white vinegar on top. The mixture will fizz. Once the fizzing stops, use a small scrub brush to work the paste into the stain. Rinse and repeat the process two or three times before washing the garment with your regular liquid detergent.

If you do not have vinegar, you can substitute lemon juice. The combination will not fizz, but it works in a similar way. Apply baking soda, add a squeeze of lemon juice, and scrub gently. As with every method here, avoid putting the garment in a hot dryer until the stain is fully gone.

When to take it to a professional

If you have worked through each of these methods and the stain is still visible, it is time to take the garment to a dry cleaner. Drop it off as soon as you can, and point out the exact location of the stain when you hand it over. Professional dry cleaning solvents and equipment handle stains that home treatments cannot always reach, and most mascara stains respond well to professional treatment.

This is especially worth doing for delicate fabrics, expensive pieces, or anything labeled dry-clean only. It is better to get a professional’s help early than to risk damaging the fabric by over-scrubbing at home.

A few things to keep in mind

Waterproof mascara tends to be harder to remove than regular mascara because it is designed to resist water. If you use a waterproof formula, dish soap is usually your best starting point since it is designed to cut through oil and wax-based products.

Acting quickly makes a real difference. Fresh stains lift more easily than dried ones. If you notice the smear right away, blot it immediately and start treating it before it has a chance to set into the fibers.

No matter which method you use, always check the care label on your clothing before applying any product. Some fabrics react poorly to heat, ammonia, or acidic ingredients like vinegar. When in doubt, test on a small hidden area first.

Most mascara stains do come out with a bit of effort and the right approach. For more helpful cleaning guides, take a look at how to clean a sheepskin rug, how to get detergent stains out of clothes, how to clean seat belts, and how to get crayon stains out of clothes. You can also browse the full cleaning category for more practical tips.