How To Remove Makeup Off Your Pillowcase

Whether it's due to a night of too much fun or just straight up blissful laziness, accidentally falling asleep with makeup on just happens sometimes. If you've ended up with makeup stains on your bedding and are totally stumped over how to remove makeup stains from pillowcases, don't worry! The process takes a little background knowledge and determination, but everything from the blackest mascara to bright red lipstick is possible to get out.

Before we get into details, I'm laying down some ground rules. First, don't put off removing the stain! I know the last way you want to start off the morning is cleaning off smeared lipstick or leftover bronzer, but you don't want to give it time to set. The longer you wait to try and remove it, the harder it's bound be. You'll thank me later. Trust.

Second, no matter what, don't rub the stain to clean it up. Doing so literally just pushes the stain deeper into the pillowcase. Bad, baaaaad idea. Instead, always pat the spot lightly with a paper towel or sponge.

And most importantly, don't panic over the pillowcase stain. People wear makeup to bed all the time (some even do it intentionally!), and stains are just bound to happen. Take a deep breath, hang in there, and tackle that sucker!

Here's a quick how-to on how to remove makeup stains from your favorite pillowcases.

1. Oil-Based Makeup Stains

Dawn Original Scent 2x, $3, Amazon

If you're not sure if your makeup is oil or water based, just check the label. Most lipsticks, mascaras, and eyeliners are oil-based (and certain foundations!), and it's best to fight them with an oil-based cleaner. StyleCaster suggests a grease fighting soap (I use Dawn Dish Soap). Start by blotting the stain with a paper towel to get out as much as possible. Then, spray the stain with clean water, but don't completely soak the fabric. Add a drop of dish soap, pat it carefully over the stain, and let it sit for at least ten minutes. Lightly pat out the stain with a fresh cloth in a circular motion starting from the outer edges and working your way in to prevent spreading the stain. If the stain is still coming through, cover with pre-wash laundry stain remover, let it soak, and then machine wash.

2. Water-Based Makeup Stains

Up & Up™ Liquid Laundry Detergent, $12, Target

Fortunately, water-based makeup stains caused by many foundations and some mascaras are a breeze to clean. Just apply liquid detergent straight to the stain. Let it sit for ten minutes, rinse, and repeat if necessary. Then, pop in the washer according to pillowcase's instructions. Voila.

Oh, and if the above strategies still didn't seem to work or your pillowcase is made of wool or silk, it's definitely best to seek professional help (read: dry cleaners). Good luck!

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