Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Place a cloth on the underside of the mascara-stained area. This allows some absorption of the stain and solvent from the backside and keeps it off other items.
2

Squirt some dry-cleaning solvent, either perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene, on the stain area. These are petroleum distillates used in pre-wash products as well as in some lighter fluids. Check the product content to locate one with dry-cleaning solvent.
3

Blot with a soft, white cloth. Rub very gently to remove the wax part of the stain. Repeat if necessary.
4

Pre-treat the stain area with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Grease Relief, Tide and Wisk are heavy-duty detergents.
5

Rub the liquid detergent into the fabric from front to back. Move the back cloth around if it shows mascara stain so you don't transfer it back to the linens while you work.
6

Launder the linens as usual. Check to be sure all the mascara stain is gone before you place the linens in the dryer. If some stain remains, repeat the procedure.