How to Remove Eyeliner, Eye Pencil, and Eyeshadow Stains: Tips

Sometimes when you're in a hurry with your eye makeup, it's your furniture and other furnishings that end up needing a makeover. Avoid all that ugliness with some helpful stain removal techniques.

The first step in removing makeup stains is to identify the stained material.

Below are the most common types of materials that can become makeup-stained, with steps on how to remove makeup from each:

Non-washable fibers such as Acetate, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk Triacetate or Wool
Washable fibers such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester or Spandex
Hard surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Asphalt Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Cork Enamel, Glass, Gold, Ivory, Jade, Linoleum, Marble, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile or Vinyl Wallcovering
Stone surfaces such as Bluestone, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate or Terrazzo
Leather or Suede
Wood

Non-washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove makeup stains from Acetate, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk Triacetate, Wool:

Brush (the method of using a stiff-bristled brush to gently remove dried stains and spots) or blot up any excess, taking care not to spread the stain.
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid.
Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter.
Check the stain every 5 minutes.
Before changing pads, press hard against the stain.
Continue the alternate soaking and pressing until no more stain is being removed.
Flush with one of the dry-cleaning solvents and allow to dry.
If any stain remains, flush it with water and apply a wet spotter with a few drops of ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on silk or wool.)
Cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the wet spotter.
Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed.
Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
Keep the stain and pad moist.
Flush well with water. Repeat if necessary; allow to dry.

Washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove makeup stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex:

Brush or blot away any excess, taking care not to spread the stain.
Flush with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid.
Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with a cloth dampened with the dry spotter.
Check the stain often, tamping (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) before changing the pad.
Continue alternate soaking and tamping until no more stain is lifted.
Flush with one of the dry-cleaning solvents and allow to dry.
If any stain remains, try the same procedure of soaking and tamping, using a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia.
When the stain is gone, be sure to flush the area with water to remove all traces of ammonia. Launder as soon as possible.

Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove makeup stains from Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Asphalt Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Cork Enamel, Glass, Gold, Ivory, Jade, Linoleum, Marble, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering:

Wipe any spills or brush away any excess.
With a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water, wash the surface.
Rinse well with water and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove makeup stains from Bluestone, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo:

Wipe up excess.
Mix a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) and water.
Wash the stained area.
Rinse well with clear water and allow to dry.

Leather or Suede

Follow these steps to remove makeup stains from leather or suede:

Gently remove excess.
Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water.
Swish to create a great volume of suds.
Apply only the foam with a sponge.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
If a greasy or oily stain remains, powder it with an absorbent such as corn meal.
Give it plenty of time to work.
Gently brush or shake the absorbent from the surface.
Repeat if necessary.
On leather only, follow with cleaners such as The Tannery or Fiebing's Saddle Soap to condition the leather.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove makeup stains from wood:

Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds.
Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stain.
Rinse with clear water.
Wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth and polish or wax as usual.