How to Get Eyeshadow Out of a Carpet

We’ve all been there: getting ready in a hurry, just to have your makeup palette slip off the counter and onto the floor. The mess can be a real pain, especially if it spills on fabric. 

Luckily for you, it doesn’t have to be. That’s because we’ve put together this article on how to get eyeshadow out of a carpet. With our guide, cleaning up will be easy as can be.

There are several methods you can use, and the best option will depend on how bad the mess is on your carpet, as well as the type of eyeshadow. 

Read on to find out the best, and easiest, methods you can use to remove eyeshadow from your carpet. 

How To Get Eyeshadow Out Of Your Carpet

how to remove eyeshadow from carpet

Simple Method

If the eyeshadow palette that falls isn’t too big or doesn’t result in too much eyeshadow on the carpet, you can try a simple method using straightforward, general cleaning products. 

With some liquid soap, you can quickly and easily eradicate any excess shadow that might be on the carpet. This can work for any minor makeup spill, like getting a foundation stain out of your carpet.

Scrape Off Excess

Use a small teaspoon to scrape up any excess powder that has fallen onto the carpet before you begin the cleaning process. If you skip this, you could end up making the stain worse by rubbing more powder than necessary into the carpet fibers. 

This step goes for any spill. For more stubborn spills, like getting dry toothpaste out of a carpet, a spatula can work well.

You can also use a vacuum cleaner here to pull up any excess powder without pushing it in. 

Mix Solution

Combine a tablespoon of liquid soap with a cup of warm water, and then transfer it to a spray bottle. Shake well to ensure the solution is well mixed.

Next, spray the mixed solution onto the stained area of the carpet. Spray enough so that it is slightly dampened through. 

how to remove eyeshadow stains from carpet

Dab Carpet

Use a soft, dry lint-free cloth to dab the dampened area. Do not rub, as this will push the shadow deeper into the carpet, making the stain worse. 

Continue blotting to remove as much of the moisture as possible. You should start to see the stain clear slowly as you go. 

Rinse Out Solution

Once you have removed as much of the cleaning solution as possible, sprinkle or spray some cold water onto the area to rinse it out, and then use a new, dry cloth to dab again and remove the moisture. 

Once it is as dry as possible, leave it to air dry fully for a few hours. 

Check Area

Check the dried area to see if the eyeshadow has been completely removed. If not, repeat the process. 

Home Remedy

how to get makeup out of carpet eyeshadow

For a slightly harsher cleaning method that is still relatively light and simple, using common household products, baking soda is the winning formula. 

This is likely something you already have in your pantry for baking or cleaning purposes, so it is something easily accessible when you are in a bind. Baking soda can work on any stubborn stain, like getting eyeliner out of a carpet.

Remove Excess Powder

First, remove any excess eyeshadow with a spoon or knife so that it does not worsen the stain during the cleaning process. 

Mix Solution and Spray Area

Next, you will need a cleaning solution. Combine a cup of water with one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and transfer to a spray bottle. 

Generously spray the stained area so that the solution soaks through the carpet fibers. 

Apply Baking Soda

You will then use the baking soda. Sprinkle the soda generously on top of the dampened area. You should have enough to completely cover the area with a layer that is at least 2mm thick. 

Then, leave it to soak into the carpet, and soak up the stain, for 2-3 hours. 

Rinse Carpet

how to get eyeshadow out of your carpet

Once the waiting period is over, spray cold water onto the area to rinse out the cleaning solution in the carpet. 

Use a dry cloth to blot out as much excess liquid from the area as possible, and then leave to dry for a few hours, or overnight. 

Check Area and Clean Residue

Once dry, check to see if the stain has cleared. If not, redo the process. If it is clear, use a vacuum to clean up any residue of baking soda that is in the area. 

Specialized Cleaner

One of the most effective ways to remove eyeshadow from a carpet is by using a professional carpet cleaning product that is formulated to deal with those exact stains. 

how to clean eyeshadow off carpet

These products, like rinses or pre-spray, ensure that the stain is removed completely, and also protect the condition of your carpet in the process. 

This is also a suitable method for slightly more severe stains, like removing hair dye from a carpet, which cannot be done with simpler methods.

Scoop Up Excess

The first step is to remove any loose eyeshadow particles from the area using a spoon or knife. Scoop it up gently to avoid pressing it further into the fibers. 

Prepare Cleaner

Next, you will need your specialized cleaner. 

We recommend our Ultimate All Fiber Rinse, which effectively removes stains from your carpet while also brightening the fibers in the process. Not only will you get rid of the pesky stain, but your carpet will look brand new, too. 

how to remove eyeshadow stain from carpet

Mix the specialized cleaner according to the instructions on the bottle. Next, you will spray the solution, using a spray bottle, onto the stained area of the carpet. Apply enough to dampen the fibers well enough to lift any eyeshadow particles. 

Leave it to settle on the carpet for about five minutes. It should soak in, but not dry out. 

Blot Area

Use a soft, dry cloth to blot the area with pressure and remove all excess liquid, along with the eyeshadow. 

Do this until you cannot extract any more moisture. 

If you can still see the stain, spray more solution onto the area, and resume blotting. Repeat this process until the stain is cleared out. 

Leave to dry fully for a few hours, or overnight. 

Using specialized cleaners always works best regardless of the surface, like professional concrete cleaners on tiles.

how to get eyeshadow out of carpet fast

Makeup Remover

If you have any makeup remover handy, or even better, a specific eye makeup remover, pull this out to use it in your cleaning process. 

This is similar to how nail polish remover works well to get rid of nail polish off a carpet

Remove Excess Powder

First, remove excess eyeshadow debris from the area using a small spoon or butter knife. Get out as much as possible, to make the cleaning process easier. 

Spot Test

You will then need to spot-test the makeup remover before using it. With so many different formulations out there, you cannot know for sure how the remover will react on your carpet. 

Pick a small spot that is not usually visible, like under the couch, or in a covered corner, and apply the remover. 

Leave for an hour or so, and check it once dried to see if it has any impact on color or general appearance. 

If it does, opt for one of the other cleaning methods. If it doesn’t, you can proceed with the next steps. 

Apply Remover

how to get eyeshadow out of the carpet

Empty some of the makeup removers into a small bowl or ramekin, then use a cloth to dip into the remover. Gently blot the stained area with the remover on the cloth. 

Continue dipping fresh areas of the cloth into the remover, and blot the area until you see the stain begin to disappear. 

Rinse Area

Once the stain is completely out, you will need to rinse the area with cold water. Do this by spraying cold water onto the area, and then using a fresh, dry cloth to absorb any liquid (along with the remaining make remover). 

Then leave the carpet to dry fully for a few hours. 

Check Area

Once completely dry, check the area to see if the stain has cleared completely. If not, repeat the process. 

This method also works well to clean lipstick off a carpet.

how to remove eyeshadow from your carpet

Conclusion

If you find yourself with a nasty eyeshadow spill on your carpet, fear not - there are many methods you can use to clean it up and leave your carpet looking and smelling good as new. 

You can also use any of the outlined methods for other similar makeup items, like getting powder foundation out of a carpet.

Always attend to a stain as soon as possible for the best and most effective results. For newer, smaller stains, you can use simpler methods. For stains that are bigger, and/or older, you may need to opt for the heavy-duty methods. This includes using specialized products or equipment, like the Orbital carpet cleaner, to get rid of the stain.

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