Mascara and long-wear eye pencils are made not to wash off with water. That is exactly why a tube dropped on the carpet or a black mark on a pillowcase after an evening when you did not remove your make-up is so hard to shift with ordinary detergent.
These products are based on waxes and oils, which WD-40 handles well. The key rule is to blot rather than rub, so the colour transfers onto the cloth instead of spreading through the pile. The method works on carpets, upholstery, cushions and clothes.
What you will need
Important: Always test on a hidden area of the carpet or fabric first. If the colour changes or the pile reacts unusually, stop. A white cloth lets you see the colour lifting from the stain.
Step 1
Prepare the cloth
Wet a clean soft cloth with warm water and wring it out well so it is barely damp. Spray a little WD-40 Multi-Use onto it. Applying the product to the cloth rather than directly onto the stain makes it easier to control the amount on light carpets and cushions.
If there are lumps of mascara on the pile, lift them off gently with a dry tissue first.
Step 2
Test on a hidden area
Press the cloth against an edge of the carpet under furniture or an inside seam of the fabric. Wait a minute and check whether the colour has changed. If all is well, move on to the stain.
Step 3
Blot the stain
Press the cloth onto the stain firmly but gently. Do not rub, as that spreads the mascara and makes it harder to collect. You will see the black colour gradually transfer onto the cloth.
For a tiny spot on clothing, you can spray WD-40 Smart Straw precisely through the straw and blot straight away.
Step 4
Keep going until it has gone
Move to a clean part of the cloth as soon as it gets dirty and add a little more WD-40 if needed. The stain usually disappears in about 5 minutes, though an old mark takes longer.
Step 5
Clean the area with carpet cleaner
Treat the area with a mild carpet or upholstery cleaner to remove any remaining mascara and WD-40. Blot with a dry cloth, let it dry fully and vacuum the pile.
Clothes and removable covers can simply be washed as usual after treatment.
Tip: The same works for lipstick, foundation and eyeliner stains. To avoid acting in a panic, keep a can of
WD-40 Multi-Use in the cleaning cupboard, not only in the garage.
What next
Once dry, check the spot in daylight: if a faint shadow remains, repeat the blotting. For other kinds of marks, see our guide to removing stains from a carpet.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».