How to Use MakeUp Eraser: First Wash, Removal and Cloth Care

Product links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Using a MakeUp Eraser starts before the first evening you take off your makeup: the cloth needs its initial machine wash. After that, water, the correct side and a workable laundry routine matter more than scrubbing harder. A reusable cloth can be a convenient removal step, but it also creates something you must clean and dry. Before buying, consider whether you want one larger cloth or a rotation of smaller pieces, and how often you can realistically do laundry.

Wash the cloth before the first use

This guide's shopping option is The Original MakeUp Eraser PRO, Original Pink, one cloth. The brand's current PRO Classics page lists a full-size cloth measuring 15.5 by 7.25 inches. Check the selected size and quantity: the brand also sells smaller cloths, daily sets and other accessories that are not the same purchase.

The official directions call for machine washing before first use, followed by drying. Put that first wash into your plan rather than opening the package only when you need to remove a full face immediately. A sink rinse is not the stated substitute for the initial machine wash.

In her August 2019 Allure review, Lauren Hubbard described finding fuzz after skipping that machine-washing step. She also needed to rewet the cloth during removal. This is an older personal account, not a prediction about every current cloth, but it reinforces two practical steps that still appear in the brand's directions.

The GlossRadar newsletter · Free

Shopping for skincare? Get our best finds.

A free selection of beauty and grooming deals from Amazon, straight to your inbox.

Email address

Send me the best finds

No account needed. Confirm your subscription by email. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing, you agree to receive GlossRadar deal emails. Privacy Policy.

Fully wet it, then use the short-fiber side gently

The brand directs warm water and gentle circular movements with the short-fiber side. Start with a clean cloth and give it time to become thoroughly wet. If you only splash one corner, the rest of the cloth is not ready to work in the same way.

1. Take a freshly cleaned cloth and soak it in comfortably warm water.
2. Find the short-fiber side for makeup removal; the side with the tag has the longer fibers.
3. Work gently over one area, using circular movements rather than forceful back-and-forth scrubbing.
4. Move to a clean part of the cloth as makeup collects, and rewet when necessary.
5. Check for remaining makeup, then continue with your usual cleanser and skincare routine.

That last step matters when deciding what the purchase replaces. The brand's current FAQ recommends following with your regular cleanser. Water-only makeup removal does not mean you have to abandon the rest of your cleansing routine.

For stubborn makeup, change the approach rather than the pressure

The FAQ suggests briefly holding the wet short-fiber side against stubborn waterproof makeup before wiping. Keep the movement gentle. If you are repeatedly dragging at the same patch, stop and reassess the amount of water and the removal product you normally use for that makeup.

A 2025 discussion about reusable makeup cloths includes both enthusiastic users and people who dislike the tugging. Some prefer help from a cleansing balm on heavier makeup days. These are individual preferences across incompletely identified versions, rather than proof that the cloth suits every face or every mascara.

Do not keep rubbing simply to make a water-only claim come true. If your existing remover handles a particular long-wear product comfortably, you can retain that step. Our guide to pink and blue Garnier micellar waters explains a separate removal-product decision. Choose the method that fits the makeup you actually wear.

The longer-fiber side is presented by the brand as the exfoliating side. That is a separate choice from getting makeup off; you do not need to keep adding passes just because the cloth has a second texture. Stop using a technique that feels uncomfortable rather than treating discomfort as evidence that it is cleaning better.

Plan where the used cloth goes next

The official care instructions specify a hot machine wash and drying, and say fabric softener and dryer sheets are permitted. For smaller pieces, the brand recommends a laundry bag. Follow the care label on your own cloth as well, especially when buying an unfamiliar set or older stock.

For between-use storage, the FAQ describes hanging the cloth by its tag or laying it flat to dry overnight. Think about that space before taking one on a trip. A reusable cloth may reduce the number of disposable pads you reach for, but a wet item still needs somewhere to dry rather than disappearing into your toiletry bag.

Spot cleaning is an option the brand permits with facial cleanser. It can help with visible marks between laundry loads; it does not change the initial machine-wash instruction. Keep clean and used pieces separate so you do not have to guess which part of yesterday's cloth is ready for tonight.

Choose the size around your laundry habits

A full-size cloth gives you a larger area to hold and turn as it collects makeup. Smaller daily cloths can make a clean-piece rotation simpler, but you need to keep track of them through washing. The useful question is which arrangement you will maintain, rather than which set has the most attractive packaging.

Marie Claire's writer describes using both full-size cloths and daily pads. That personal experience does not establish identical results for every makeup formula.

Choose the pink PRO if you want the larger single cloth and will regularly clean it. Consider a smaller-piece rotation if laundry happens in batches and you prefer taking a fresh piece each time. Browse skincare offers by the exact size and pack: a themed daily set is not automatically an offer for the single PRO cloth described here.

FAQ

Do I wash MakeUp Eraser before using it?

Yes. The brand specifies machine washing before the first use, then drying.

Which side removes makeup?

The short-fiber side. The longer-fiber side, marked by the tag, is presented for exfoliation.

Can it go in the dryer?

Yes, according to the official directions. The brand recommends a laundry bag for smaller cloths.

Does it replace my facial cleanser?

The current FAQ recommends following makeup removal with your normal cleanser and skincare routine.

Verdict

Use MakeUp Eraser by machine washing it first, soaking it thoroughly and removing makeup gently with the short-fiber side. Keep your usual cleanser in the routine and use a suitable remover when stubborn makeup would otherwise mean repeated rubbing. The Original Pink PRO makes sense if you want one larger cloth and can reliably wash and dry it. A rotation of smaller pieces may fit batch laundry better. The main drawback is that convenience depends on keeping the cloth ready: if you do not want another item to clean, a reusable removal tool may not simplify your evening.