Applying your makeup in a hurry can lead to spillages and stains, which can be disastrous for carpet unless quick action is taken. The sight of lipstick, mascara or eyeshadow on a luxurious carpet is enough to make most householders wince. But if you have the right plan of action in place, panic should make way for affirmative action the next time a makeup mishap threatens to ruin your day.
The second you notice a makeup mishap, your emergency action plan should be initiated. The first thing you need to do is clear up the spillage or any excess makeup with a paper towel. Use a plastic spoon if the spillage is thick. Once you’re confident that you’ve done all you can by hand, it’s time to get the appropriate solution ready.
Important: Before applying any solution to your carpet, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
SOLUTIONS REQUIRED FOR REMOVING MAKEUP FROM CARPET
Nail polish stains – a non-acetone, non-fragranced nail polish remover
Lipstick – vodka or methylated spirits
Foundation – a solution of 19 parts water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide
Mascara – a large cup of warm water with half a teaspoon of washing-up liquid
Make up the appropriate cleaning solution, and add a small amount to a microfibre cloth. Gently blot the stain, but never rub. Continue to dampen clean areas of the cloth with your cleaning solution, and dab the stain gently. Getting too rough could cause permanent damage to the fibres. Repeat the process until the stain has been removed.
If you’re struggling to remove the whole stain, use your Shark Lift-Away 2 in 1 Steam Pocket Mop as a carpet cleaner to give proceedings a helping hand. And finish off by vacuuming the entire area and leaving it to dry for two to three hours. If you can, ventilate the room by opening windows.
USING DRY CLEANING FLUID TO REMOVE MAKEUP FROM CARPET
Instead of having several different solutions available to remove makeup from your carpets, you should achieve similar results with a dry cleaning fluid. But the cleaning process is a little different.
- Remove any excess makeup from the carpet with paper towels
- Soak a microfibre cloth with dry cleaning fluid, then wring it out
- Drape the soaked cloth over the makeup stain, and press down on it
- Leave the soaked cloth in place for at least 15 minutes
- Use a clean microfibre cloth to blot dry the carpet and pick up any remaining makeup
- Vacuum the entire room
- Ventilate and allow the carpet to dry naturally
If you are treating a wool carpet, it’s probably best to stick to a dry cleaning fluid for all types of makeup.
If you like to apply makeup in different rooms of your home — depending on how your mood takes you — it’s probably a good idea to make a small cleaning kit for each one. This way, you’ll be able to take quick action when disaster strikes.
A FEW LAST TIPS
Don’t panic if your nail polish remover isn’t removing nail polish; just spray a little hairspray onto the affected area of carpet and start blotting again. And if you’re removing an oil-based lipstick, work some Vaseline into the stain before starting the steps listed above. This should make the process quicker and a great deal easier.
In most cases, you should be able to remove lipstick from carpet without too much drama.
