Makeup messes: How to get makeup out of the carpet 

A little one painting their face for the first time. Your housemate getting ready for a big night out in your shared living room. Or, maybe you’re the one who’s managed to get a makeup stain on carpet. They’re all just accidents, and happen every now and then to anyone who uses makeup. But it’s ok! Whether it’s a puff of bronzer, a squiggle of eyeliner the whole palette has flown across the room, learn how to get makeup out of carpet fibres. 

How to remove makeup from carpet – powder 

Blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows… how amazing do they look? On one’s face, that is… not so much when they’re creating a makeup stain on carpet floors. Oops. Whether you need to know how to get eyeshadow out of your carpet or any other powder-based cosmetics, it’s really not that difficult. Sure, it might be a little dusty, even a little crusty, but it’s all good.  

For starters, this is what you’ll need to remove makeup from carpet when it’s the powdery kind:  

• Vacuum cleaner 
• Kitchen towel 
• Makeup remover 

And now, how to remove makeup from carpet, step-by-simple-step: 

1. Get makeup out of carpet by starting off with a good go at it with the vacuum. That should suck up the bulk of the mess. The more you get out as this point, the less chance you have of turning your spillage into an even bigger splodge when the dabbing begins. 

1. Dampen a sheet of kitchen towel and dab the powder. Don’t rub, as this can lead to that splodge effect we just mentioned. Start from the outside and work your way into the middle. 

1. Still not gone? A really good tip when learning how to get eyeshadow out of carpet is to squirt a little makeup remover on it. Just a few drops on a sheet of kitchen towel – that should do the trick. Dab. Dab again. And disappear that pesky makeup stain! 

How to get makeup out of carpet – liquid 

Now onto your liquid makeup, and how to get foundation out of carpet… or liquid eyeliner, or liquid lipstick, or liquid… anything! It’s understandable that a little panic can set in when there’s a spillage of these types of makeup on carpet. But, there’s no need to worry. You can lift these stains fairly easily and get back to putting the makeup where it belongs (a.k.a. on your face).  

For now, though, it’s time to remove makeup from carpet. Here’s what you’ll need to deal with liquid makeup spills: 

• Kitchen towel 
• Shaving foam (or washing up liquid and water) 
• Water 
• Vacuum cleaner 

• Vinegar 
• Spoon 

Now the method. Quick note here – any time you use a new cleaning solution on your carpet test it in an inconspicuous area first. Most make-up mistakes can be sorted out with a make-up wipe – sadly, cleaning mistakes aren’t the same. Now, let’s get rid of that gloopy mess: 

1. Scoop up as much of the sludge as possible with your spoon. Avoid putting any pressure on the carpet as you might end up working the mark in even deeper. 

1. Next, rip off a sheet of kitchen towel and lay it over the accident. Apply direct pressure, without scrubbing, to help lift the stain. 

1. Time to add a little water now. Lightly wet a sheet of kitchen towel and dampen the stain, ready for the next step. 

1. Squirty time! Take aim with your shaving foam and cover what’s left of the spillage. 

1. Work in a circular motion and gently rub in the foam – it’s great at breaking down makeup on carpet. 

1. If you don’t have shaving foam you can make your own bubbly mixture from washing up liquid and water – this simple blend can get makeup out of carpet too. 

1. Sprinkle or spray on a little water and see what you’ve got. 

1. If it’s clear, get back to getting ready for that night out with your housemates. 

1. If not, repeat the process until it has gone. 

Tip: Plenty kitchen towel is so super-absorbent you’ll likely only need one sheet to soak up multiple spills. It’s great for wet strength, too – just what you need to break up makeup stains, without it breaking up in your hand. Result!     

From cleansing your floor free of powder to figuring out how to get foundation out of carpet fibres, you’re a makeup stain removal master now. The next time a rogue mascara wand flies onto your carpet, an overzealous swish of eyeshadow sprinkles to the floor, or some foundation mistakes where it’s actually meant to lay as a base, you know what to do!