Quick answer
Pre-treat makeup stains with a stain remover or dish soap, then wash in warm water with an oxygen bleach. Avoid fabric softener and high heat drying until stains are gone.
Why makeup stains are stubborn
Makeup contains oils, pigments, and waxes that bond to towel fibers. Foundation and mascara are especially tricky because they are designed to stay put. Without the right pre-treatment, these stains can set in the wash and become permanent.
What not to do
Do not use bleach on colored towels—it will strip the dye and leave white patches. Avoid fabric softener, which coats fibers and makes future stains harder to remove. And never put a stained towel in the dryer; heat sets the stain.
Stain diagnosis and treatment
- Symptom: Fresh makeup stain (foundation, concealer, or powder).
- Likely cause: Oil-based makeup was wiped directly onto dry towel fibers without pre-treatment.
- Corrective action: Apply a drop of dish soap or liquid laundry stain remover directly to the stain. Gently rub the fabric together, let it sit 5–10 minutes, then wash in warm water with an oxygen bleach like OxiClean. Air-dry or machine-dry on low only after the stain is gone. Check the stain before drying. If it remains, repeat the pre-treatment and wash again.
- When to stop or choose another option: If the stain is more than a week old or has already been through a hot dryer, it may be set permanently. At that point, consider using a dark towel like the Weezie Makeup Towels to hide future stains, or repurpose the towel for non-face use.
Product that helps
-
Makeup Towels (pair): Features navy terry to hide stains. A dark towel like this pair makes existing stains less visible between washes, so your guest bath stays looking fresh.
Makeup Towels (pair)
