How To Remove Stubborn Makeup Stains From Winter Coats (No Dry Cleaning Required)

After a long, cold season of holiday parties and date nights at the ice rink, your most worn winter coats may be experiencing the consequences: stubborn makeup stains. From foundation marks to lipstick smears, makeup can soil your favorite clothing items and feel impossible to remove. However, there are a few simple tricks to try that will remove the pesky product stains and ensure your coat looks as good as the day you bought it. Your method of stain removal will depend on several factors, including the type of makeup you spilled and the particular fabric of your coat.

Try to remove any excess product by dabbing it with a cloth or scraping it from the fabric with the edge of a spoon before attempting any type of chemical or even natural stain remover. After that, you can also try rinsing water through the back of the stain, attempting to get rid of extra product and the stain underneath. If those tactics still don't work, there are still further steps to try. While most coats can handle a small amount of laundry detergent, sensitive materials like a wool coat may need a more natural product like vinegar to truly get rid of the stains. Plus, products like mascara, lipstick, and foundation usually require different solutions. 

A few of the most popular stain removal options for makeup stains are laundry detergent, oil-free makeup remover, and soapy water. Some online users even boast that shaving cream makes removing makeup stains a breeze. Chances are, you probably have one or more of these items already in your home, so no need to run to the dry cleaners. Whether you are dealing with a foundation, concealer, mascara, or a lipstick stain, first try to blot out the excess product with a dry cloth or sponge. It's essential to use a dabbing motion, as opposed to wiping and rubbing the excess product in deeper. 

If you've spilled a non-oil-based makeup like powder onto a washable material, pretreat the fabric with a few drops of laundry detergent or a liquid stain remover and allow it to sit for 10 to 20 minutes. You can then scrub the affected area using an old toothbrush to work the detergent into the fabric. If you are dealing with an oil-based product like lipstick or some liquid foundations, swap out the laundry detergent for dish soap and water since dish soap helps break oils down. You can even clean lipstick stains with this hack that's hiding in your kitchen: bread. After you've treated whatever stain you're dealing with, wash the entire coat in the warmest temperature cycle the fabric can withstand, and do not dry it until the stain is completely gone to keep the heat from setting it.

Depending on what fabric your winter coat is made of, you may need to try a few different tactics to fully remove the stain. If you have a coat made of a delicate material, like wool or leather, you will need to use stain removal products specific to that type of fabric. For example, the best way to get stains out of wool clothing is with natural products like vinegar and baking soda; just sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the stain, followed by a very small amount of distilled white vinegar. Gently scrub after letting it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. For leather items, you can try soap and water, baking soda, or toothpaste, though any moisture you use should be kept to a minimum. Use a blotting motion as opposed to wiping or scrubbing.

If your coat is made of cashmere, the best way to remove oil-based stains like makeup is to rinse it with cold water. Do not use hot water on this material, as it could set the stain permanently into your coat. You can also gently blot off the product with a damp cloth or napkin. If the stain is already dried, you can combine one and a half teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of warm water, then dip a clean cloth into the mixture and dab it onto the area.  Another method for getting rid of a stubborn cashmere stain is to let the item sit in cold water for about 15 minutes before washing it by hand with a gentle, cashmere-safe soap.