Q: Because they can be uncomfortable and not always safe, last year I convinced my kids to forgo masks in favor of face paint and other makeup to create their Halloween "personas." It was a great success and we're doing it again this year. The only problem is the makeup stains on their outfits. Some stain-removal help, please!
A: Stains from face paint, makeup, hair gel and lipstick can all be treated with a prewash stain remover, and then laundered in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric. Of them all, lipstick may be the most stubborn, requiring a second round of prewash stain remover and laundering. Just make sure that the stains are gone before putting the garments in the dryer. Otherwise, the heat of the dryer may permanently set them, making them impossible to remove.
Halloween stains can sometimes "settle in," because, once the festivities are over, washing the costumes isn't one's first priority. Treating the stains with a stain stick or a stain-removal wipe will put them on hold for up to a week.