First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Scrape or lift off the excess makeup before applying anything.
- Blot, don't rub, so the stain doesn't spread onto clean lining.
- Remove the oily or waxy part first, then work on the color.
- Test any remover on a hidden spot before using it on the visible stain.
Makeup on a bag starts as a greasy film with color sitting on top, so you lift the grease before you touch the color. Lipstick is one of the oily stains, and liquid makeup and eyeliner fall into the same group, so the first move is the same for all three. A fresh smear is the easiest to clear, while a mark that has dried into the lining will take more patience.
Lipstick inside a purse lining is a different job from the outside, so keep moisture low and work from the edge inward. Eyeliner inside a purse calls for a light touch, so test a hidden spot first. Lip gloss out of a purse is sticky, so let it loosen before you wipe.
Before you start
What bags, purses & backpacks can take
Use with care5
- Water
- Soaking
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid3
- Hot water
- Chlorine bleach
- Heat, once the stain is out
7 items
What you'll need
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- Soft-bristled brushBrushes off loose dirt while the bag is still dry (opens Amazon)
- Dull knife or spoon edgeLifts off thick makeup without pushing it deeper
- Stain stick or solvent cleanerRemoves the oily or waxy part before the color (opens Amazon)
- Clean cloths and cotton swabsKeep the stain from transferring back onto the bag (opens Amazon)
- Mild dish soapUsed in a little cool water for the color (opens Amazon)
- Dry microfiber towelBlots up moisture without rubbing (opens Amazon)
- Crumpled newspaper or a towelHolds the bag's shape while it dries
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Check the tag and empty the bag
Read the care label or tag first and follow it over any general advice here. Empty the bag completely, then brush off loose dirt with a dry, soft-bristled brush so it doesn't grind into the fabric once you start cleaning.
Step 2 of 6
Lift off the excess makeup
Scrape or lift off any thick or loose makeup with the edge of a spoon or a dull knife, working from the outside of the stain toward the middle. Keep the pressure light so the makeup doesn't smear into clean lining.
Tip. A cotton swab works well for small spots like eyeliner.
Step 3 of 6
Test on a hidden spot first
Try the method on a small, hidden spot, such as an inside seam or the underside of a strap, before touching the visible stain. Check the cloth after each test dab, because any dye that comes off means you need to be more careful.
Careful. Don't use acetone nail-polish remover on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic. It dissolves them.
Step 4 of 6
Treat the oily part first
Dab a stain stick or solvent cleaner onto a clean cloth, then work it gently into the greasy or waxy part of the stain, not the color. Move to a fresh section of cloth as the residue comes up, and keep going until nothing more lifts.
Careful. Use solvent cleaners in a well-ventilated room, away from flame and sparks.
Step 5 of 6
Dab the color with soapy water
Dampen a clean cloth with cool water and a little mild dish soap, then gently pat or dab the color without rubbing. Pat again with a fresh damp cloth to lift away the soap. If the color hasn't started to lift after about 15 minutes of dabbing, stop and move on to the set-in advice below.
Careful. Keep the water cool, because hot water could affect the dye.
Step 6 of 6
Blot and air dry completely
Blot the bag with a dry microfiber towel or soft cloth to lift moisture and dirt, pressing rather than rubbing. Stuff it with crumpled newspaper or a towel to hold its shape, then let it air dry completely at room temperature, which can take at least 8 hours.
Careful. Heat sets the stain and can misshape the bag, so skip both the dryer and a hair dryer.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for makeup on bags, purses & backpacks
Choose a stain stick or solvent cleaner made for oily stains, and use just enough to dampen the spot.
Puracy Laundry Stain Remover
Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover - Free & Clear
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on bags, purses & backpacks, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The stain is lifting when the cloth picks up color rather than sliding over the surface. You'll know the oily part is gone when the fabric no longer feels greasy and a clean cloth comes away with nothing more on it.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your bags, purses & backpacks
Lipstick on a bag or purse
Lipstick is an oily stain first, so the solvent step matters most here. Once that's done, dab the color with a clean cotton swab, changing it often as the color lifts, and test the method on a hidden spot first.
Work from the outside of the mark inward so the color lifts rather than spreads. Let it dry before you judge the result, and if a faint mark remains, the set-in section below explains what's realistic.
Lipstick and makeup inside a purse or lining
Lining stains are hard to reach, so slip a clean folded cloth between the lining and the outer fabric before you start. That keeps the cleaner from soaking through and marking the outside of the bag.
Then treat the oily part first and use the same cool-water dabbing as above, with the same light touch. Check the cloth often, and if dye comes off on it, stop and let the lining dry before going further.
Eyeliner inside a purse
Eyeliner usually leaves a small, dark mark, so work with a cotton swab rather than a whole cloth. Use the oily-part treatment on the mark, then dab the color with a damp swab, changing swabs as the color comes up.
Test any remover on a hidden spot first, since the inside of a purse can be a delicate lining. Work from the edge of the mark inward, and let the lining air dry fully before you judge it.
Lip gloss on a purse
Lip gloss belongs to the oily and waxy group of makeup, so the oily-part treatment does most of the work. Use a stain stick or solvent cleaner on a clean cloth, and finish with the cool-water dabbing if any tackiness or color remains.
Lip gloss is sticky, so lift off the bulk with a dull edge before the solvent, and don't press it deeper into the lining. Let the bag air dry completely before you check the mark.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old makeup is harder to remove than fresh makeup, so expect to repeat the treatment rather than push harder on one pass. Work the oily part again with a clean cloth, then dab the color, and go back over it as long as the cloth keeps showing progress.
If the stain has dried, lift away any flakes that come off easily before you start, since loose residue shouldn't be pressed into the fabric. Then repeat the oily-part treatment before you return to the color. Stop if the mark doesn't change after a few rounds.
If the bag went through a dryer, the heat may have set the stain more firmly, so the treatment can take longer and may not remove every mark. If the color is still there after the repeats, accept a faint mark on a hidden part of the bag rather than reaching for bleach or hot water.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on makeup on bags, purses & backpacks?
Plenty of home remedies float around for makeup, but most are aimed at other stains or are too harsh for bags. A stain stick and a little mild dish soap are the safer choices for bags.
Works1Skip3Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't rub the makeup.
Rubbing spreads the color and can move it onto clean lining, which makes the stain bigger and harder to lift. Blot and pat every time, even when the stain looks stubborn.
Don't machine wash the bag.
Backpacks are off limits for the washing machine, and bleach and washer detergents are off limits too. If the care tag is missing or unclear, clean the spot by hand with cool water instead.
Don't use bleach or harsh products.
Bleach and other harsh cleaning products can damage bag materials, so stick to solvent, cool water and mild soap. Skip anything stronger, even if the stain is still visible.
Don't mix stain removers.
Mixed products can give off hazardous fumes, and chlorine bleach mixed with ammonia is the worst case. If you need more than one remover, rinse the bag thoroughly between them.
When to call a professional
A bag rarely needs a professional for makeup, but if a stain stays after the steps above, stop before trying anything harsher. If you do send it out, ask that it not go in a washer or dryer, since machines and harsh detergents can damage the bag.
Questions
How do I know which cleaner to use?
Check the care tag first, then use the oily-part treatment and the cool-water dabbing in that order. If the tag is missing and the material is unclear, stick to the mildest steps and test on a hidden spot first.
Does lipstick come out of a purse lining?
Often, if you treat it while it's fresh, because old stains are harder to remove than fresh ones. Use the oily-part step first, then the color, and expect to repeat both before you decide the mark is set.
What if the bag is leather or suede?
Keep water off any leather or suede parts, since water damages them, and don't scrub. Blot with a dry cloth, and if the mark doesn't lift, stop rather than push harder. For more on leather itself, see the Leather page.
How long should a bag dry before I use it?
Let it air dry completely at room temperature, however long that takes, because a damp bag can hold moisture in its seams and padding. Check the inside seams before you put anything back in.
Why does the spot look worse after cleaning?
Usually it's a soap film or a damp ring, not the stain itself. Pat with a fresh damp cloth to lift the soap, then judge the spot once it's fully dry.
What if the color bleeds onto my cloth?
Stop, because the color is moving and the method is too strong for that spot. Stick to spot cleaning with fresh cloths, a light touch, and no soaking.
Can I use vinegar or baking soda on a makeup bag?
Neither is needed on makeup, and baking soda is a scrub that can mark fabric if you rub it on.
Makeup on other materials
Other stains on bags, purses & backpacks
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.