Ink, marker, lipstick and hair-dye splashes on linen with pens and makeup

Ink and pigment

Dye stains include color transferred from non-colorfast garments in the wash; on leather, extension guidance treats dye stains as permanent. [1]

Cosmetic stains range from water-based to oil-based products — lipstick, foundation, mascara and hand lotion each appear in the cited cosmetics guidance. [2]

Stains in this family

Ballpoint & inkTreat ink while it is fresh — laundering or drying can set it, and dried India ink may …CrayonLay the fabric face-down on white paper towels and treat the back with a pre-wash spot …Dye transferDye stains are very difficult to remove, so keep the discolored item away from heat and…Hair dyeHair dye is designed to stain, so it's extremely difficult to remove — treat it before …LipstickLipstick is an oily, heavily pigmented stain: dissolve the waxy base first with a dry-c…Makeup & foundationMatch the treatment to the formula. Water-based makeup comes out with bar soap or heavy…Nail polishThe core treatment for washable fabric is acetone or nail polish remover applied to the…Permanent markerPermanent (felt-tip) marker is one of the hardest stains — UGA warns permanent inks are…

All stains A–Z →

Sources

  1. Institutional University of Georgia Extension — Remove Stains from Dye (Hair, Food Coloring, Other) (accessed 2026-08-18)
  2. Institutional University of Georgia Extension — Remove Stains from Cosmetics (Makeup, Sunscreen) (accessed 2026-08-18)

Updated 2026-08-19. Compiled from the cited sources; not independently verified by this site.

Safety

Never mix cleaning products, especially chlorine bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners. [1][2] If a cleaning or laundry product is swallowed or gets in the eyes or on skin, contact your local poison control service for case-specific advice. In the US, call 1-800-222-1222 or use webPOISONCONTROL. [1]