Before your big day arrives, you try your dress on several times because (duh!) how else will you see how wonderful you look in it?
But then, a terrible thing happens. You accidentally get makeup on your beautiful wedding dress. Oops! When you see it, your stomach drops down to your feet and you break out in a cold sweat. There’s no way you can pull off picture-perfect wedding photos with a stain smack dab on the front of your dress.
But wait! Don’t panic. There is a way to get makeup stains out of your dress and I’ll bet you have all the products and supplies you need in your house already.
So before that stubborn stain has time to set into the fabric, you’d better get to work! Here’s exactly how to get a makeup stain out of your dress before the big day.
Here Are Step-By-Step Instructions on Removing Makeup Stains From Your Wedding Dress
First things first – DO NOT rub at the stain, which can cause it to spread or set deeper into the fabric.
What you need to understand about makeup stains are most of them, especially lipstick, mascara, and cream foundations are oil-based. Using only water will not remove the stain but can actually make it worse.
So what is the super secret household ingredient that will help save you from this disaster?
Dish soap.
Yep, it really is as simple as that. Grab a clean towel and some dish soap. If for some reason, you don’t wash your dishes with dish soap, a bit of detergent, shampoo, or even shaving cream will work.
Disclaimer – it’s always a good idea to test your cleaner of choice in an inconspicuous spot (like the inside hem of your dress) just to make sure it won’t change the color or appearance of your dress.
Then, follow these steps:
- Wet the end of a clean towel with cold water. Do NOT use hot water as this can cause the stain to set into the fabric.
- Put a tiny bit of dish soap onto the towel (don’t go nuts! A little bit goes a long way)
- Starting at the edge of the stain, rub lightly in circular motions, working your way toward the middle. The pressure you should apply depends on the material of your dress. If it’s made of polyester or cotton – put some elbow grease behind it. If it’s made of a more delicate material like silk or satin, use a lighter hand.
- Alternate between rubbing with the wet soap and dabbing gently with a dry towel. Make sure you don’t saturate the dress with too much water, which can leave a visible mark. Allow the dry towel to lift the stain from the fabric.
- If you decide to blow dry the spot when you’re finished, keep the dryer at a respectable distance. The last thing you need is to melt a part of your dress.
Some so-called experts suggest using other products, but we highly encourage you to avoid using these:
- Alcohol – Using rubbing alcohol can end up turning your dress yellow. That would be unsightly and you want to avoid that.
- Hyrogen Peroxide – Using peroxide can actually whiten the area it comes in contact with. Make sure you test this in an area where it can’t be seen before dabbing it all over the front of your dress!
- Seltzer Water – Although seltzer may taste different going down your throat, it is just water and will not be any more effective than using plain water.
So there you have it! This simple solution should get any makeup stain out of your dress.
If you’re still dealing with a stubborn stain and have exhausted your home remedies, take your dress to a professional dry cleaner as soon as possible. Try Press Cleaners, who offer excellent dry cleaning services in several major cities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.
They’ll be able to work their cleaning magic to your wedding gown and get you set up for your big day!
