How to Remove Makeup from Silk

Silk is one clothing material that is sensitive to cleaning and to remove make-up from silk may be a delicate matter. Silk materials are sensitive to a lot of laundry detergents so to wash out stains from this kind of material needs much care and ease. For make-up stains, removing it from a silk material need not be that sensitive with the use of some cleaning agents. However, to get good results from the washing, wash-test on a small inconspicuous portion of the material with the cleaning agent to make sure it will not destroy the silk material. Otherwise, the make-up removal from the silk material must be brought to a professional cleaner. Below are the materials that you need along with the step by step procedure on how remove various makeup stains from silk fabric.

Step 1-Determine the Make-up Marks

The most common stains from cosmetics that come in contact with clothing materials are marks from lipstick, foundation, eyeliner and mascara. Determine the type of makeup stain on your silk fabric so that the right cleaning agent may be used to effectively remove that specific stain.

Step 2-Blot out Fresh Make-up Stain

If the makeup stain on your silk fabric is still fresh you can easily remove it. Clean the stained area lightly using cotton dabbed in lukewarm water. Swab the cotton from the outside of the stain into the center to avoid spreading the stain furthermore.

Step 3-Removing Lipstick stains

For stains caused by lipstick marks, use denatured alcohol to take it out. With just a small quantity of rubbing alcohol, wet this into a cotton ball and swab and lightly rub starting from the outside and into the lipstick stain. The lipstick stain should be transferred onto the cotton ball but if this does not happen, gently rub in a small circular motion with the use of a toothbrush. Keep on blotting then until the lipstick stain comes off.

Step 4-Removing Liquid Foundation, Mascara and Eyeliner Stains

To treat liquid foundation stains, also for eyeliner and mascara, the trick is to use hydrogen peroxide; but this agent should be carefully tested as it could make the area it comes in contact with white. Hydrogen peroxide is applied through cotton and by gently wiping the make-up stains. Avoid scrubbing the area as this will spread the stain; but just dabbing the stained part should do the trick.

Step 5-Removing Other Kinds of Stains 

Other kinds of stains on silk materials may be treated using diluted household ammonia. This strong agent must be mixed first using a ratio of two parts of water to one part ammonia. The diluted ammonia needs to just be dabbed gently onto the make-up stain on silk material using a cotton or soft clean cloth. Since this is a strong agent, the use of protective gloves is advised.