How to Get Eyeliner Out of Carpet

We’ve all been there. You’re rushing around trying to get ready before you have to dash out of the door and then you accidentally spill your makeup all over the floor. And just to make matters worse, it’s your jet-black liquid eyeliner!

But there’s no need to panic. Act as soon as you can using any of the following methods to get that eyeliner out of your carpet right away!

 

4 Ways to Remove Eyeliner Stains from Carpet

1. Washing up liquid

The first option you’ve got when it comes to getting eyeliner out of carpet is washing up liquid.

Designed to remove stubborn grease from pots and pans, this stuff is also great for breaking up oily makeup stains.

Just remember not to leave the soap on your carpet for an extended period of time, as this could lead to discolouration. Here’s how to use it:

1. Combine a quarter of a teaspoon of washing up liquid with a cup of warm water, then pour it into a clean spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture onto the stained area and leave it to soak for a few minutes.
3. Next, dab the spot with a sponge or cloth, being careful not to rub it in or spread it further. Keep blotting the area until the stain is fully removed.
4. Once the carpet is clean, you’ll need to rinse the fibres to remove any leftover soap residue. Clean out the spray bottle and spritz some clean, warm water onto the area.
5. Then take a dry cloth and use it to soak up any remaining soap and excess water.
6. Next, to ensure the carpet is fully dry, put some paper towel over the damp spot and weigh it down with something heavy for around two hours.
7. When the time is up, remove the item and check the carpet has dried. If it has, use a vacuum cleaner to fluff the fibres back up into position. If it’s still damp, replace the paper towel and wait another hour before vacuuming.

Alternatively, if you have a wet-dry vacuum, you can skip steps 6 and 7 and use it to remove the remaining water. This will also restore the fibres to their original form at the same time.

2. Carpet cleaner

Another way you can remove eyeliner is with carpet cleaner. Look for one with stain-removing properties and check the label to see what it’s designed for.

Once you’ve picked a suitable cleaner, you’ll then need to follow the instructions on the bottle for how to use it. This will tell you the recommended dose and how long it needs to soak for.

It’s also a good idea to carry out a test patch on an area of your carpet that is usually out of sight first. This way you can make sure the cleaner is safe to use before applying it to a more visible area.

Once the stain is gone and the spot is dry, finish off by blending the fibres with your vacuum.

3. Shaving cream

If you haven’t got any carpet cleaner to hand and you’re all out of washing up liquid, shaving cream is a great alternative.

All you need to do is squirt a blob of shaving cream onto a damp cloth, then massage it into the stain using a circular motion. Then, use a clean cloth dipped in warm water to blot the area and remove any excess cream.

As this is quite a gentle treatment, you may need to repeat the process several times for best results.

4. Ammonia/ vinegar

If you’re working on a tougher stain that’s proving difficult to remove, stain-busting ammonia or white vinegar could be the best way to go.

The process is the same for both, however, you need to use ammonia in a well-ventilated area and keep any pets away from the spot while you’re cleaning.

Here are the steps to follow if you choose ammonia or vinegar:

1. Mix a tablespoon (around 15 ml) of ammonia or vinegar into half a cup of warm water.
2. Dip a microfibre cloth or sponge into the solution, then use it to dab the stain. Work from the outside in so that you don’t spread the eyeliner around and blot until the stain is gone.
3. Next, take a new cloth and some clean, warm water and dab the carpet to remove any leftover solution. (Don’t worry about cleaning your carpet to get rid of the ammonia odour. It doesn’t smell once it’s dry, so a rinse is all it needs!)
4. Gently pat the spot dry with some paper towel and then leave it to air dry. You can then vacuum over it to blend the patch with the rest of the carpet.

Tip: white vinegar not only breaks up stains, but it can also help to lighten dark spots too!

 

How Do You Get Dried Eyeliner Out of Carpet?

While you should always treat an eyeliner stain as soon as you can for the best chance of removing it fully, we realise that isn’t always possible.

If you don’t notice the eyeliner mark on your carpet until it has dried, don’t worry. All you need to do is take a spoon or a blunt butter knife and gently scrape off as much of the hardened substance as you can onto a paper towel.

You can then use any of the methods above to remove the remaining residue.

 

Additional Tips

• Be careful with how much pressure you use when cleaning the stain, as you don’t want to push the stain further into the carpet fibres or spread it around.
• Stick to white cloths or towels when cleaning to ensure there is no coloured dye that could potentially transfer onto your carpet.
• Always use warm water when treating oil-based stains from eyeliner or mascara. Cold water can cause the stain to cling to the fibres, making it harder to remove.

Want to uncover more handy cleaning tips for your home? From how to make homemade carpet cleaner to the best washing up liquids for sensitive skin, we’ve got you covered.