By Zach Pozniak, VP of Operations at Jeeves of Belgravia New York and fourth-generation dry cleaner · @jeeves_ny
Quick answer: To remove mascara stains, blot the area first, then treat it with rubbing alcohol or micellar water and a clean towel behind the fabric. Finish with stain remover or liquid detergent, wash, and inspect before drying.
Mascara stains are stubborn because they’re designed to cling. The fastest way to remove them is to blot first, then use an alcohol-based spot treatment, then wash before the garment goes anywhere near the dryer.
Start by placing a clean towel or cloth behind the stain so it has somewhere to transfer. Then blot the stain gently with rubbing alcohol or high-proof vodka using a clean cloth or cotton pad. Do not rub; rubbing pushes the pigment deeper and spreads it.
For most mascara stains, micellar water works very well. For tougher stains, especially waterproof mascara, rubbing alcohol is often more effective. Apply the liquid directly to the stain and work it through gently with a soft plastic tool, like a spoon, or by pressing with a cloth.
The goal is to move the mascara from the fabric onto the towel underneath. Keep replacing the towel section as it picks up color so you’re not transferring the stain back onto the garment.
After the initial treatment, apply a quality stain remover or a little liquid laundry detergent. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then wash the garment on the recommended setting. If the stain is still visible, repeat the treatment before drying.
Important: inspect the fabric before tumble drying. Heat can set what’s left of the stain and make it much harder to remove.
Waterproof mascara can take more than one round. If a faint mark remains after washing, treat it again or use oxygen bleach if the fabric is safe for it. For delicate fabrics, dry-clean-only items, or anything you’re worried about damaging, professional help is the safest option.
Blot with rubbing alcohol, apply stain remover, wash, and check before drying.
Use micellar water or alcohol with a towel behind the stain, transfer the pigment out with a soft tool, treat with detergent or stain remover, wash, and repeat if needed.
If you want the best chance of success, treat mascara stains as soon as possible. Fresh stains are much easier to remove than ones that have been washed and dried.
Or ask about any laundry or garment care question
Zach Pozniak is VP of Operations and co-owner of Jeeves of Belgravia New York, the Madison Avenue dry cleaner serving New York since 1979, and the fourth generation of his family in the trade. Zach posts garment care techniques as @jeeves_ny on TikTok to over 620,000 followers, and his book The Laundry Book, co-written with his father Jerry Pozniak, was featured on Good Morning America in October 2024. Jeeves NY's clients include the Metropolitan Opera, the Met Museum, and FIT, and the business has been profiled by The Wall Street Journal and New York Magazine.