It is one of life's cruelties that a striking white coat is so easy to stain. Makeup has a knack for ending up on items to which you did not apply it, especially outerwear. If you find makeup around the collar of your white coat or anywhere else on it, you may fear the worst for the garment. However, there are many methods of stain removal that may prove successful at returning your coat to its original glory.

Moisten a cotton ball with makeup remover. Blot the stain gently to absorb the makeup on the surface. Avoid rubbing or applying excessive pressure. Both actions could cause the stain to become ingrained in the fabric. Dab the cotton softly until you remove the stain or the makeup remover is no longer effective.

Apply a combination solvent to the stain. Combination solvents are standard household laundry products. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to treat the makeup mark with on-the-go stain-fighting product. Avoid pre-wash stain removers. Most coats are not safe to launder in a washing machine, and the pre-wash stain fighters are not effective without washing.

Dip a cotton swab in bleach. Press the moistened cotton swab gently to a spot on the coat's interior to ensure it is bleach-safe. Watch the test spot for one minute to see if the fabric begins to discolor. Dab bleach on the stain lightly. Stop after you blot the entire stain once. Dampen a washcloth with warm water. Blot the bleached area to absorb remaining bleach so that it does not damage the coat later.

Dampen a washcloth with warm water. Blot the stained area on the coat. Pour about 1/4 teaspoon of mild, powder dish detergent on the moistened stain. Scrub the stain softly with a clean soft-bristled toothbrush. Blot the area with the washcloth to remove the detergent.

Take the coat to a well-reputed dry cleaner. If one or two stain removal techniques proves unsuccessful, a professional cleaner is your best option. Tell the cleaner what product caused the stain and what products you applied to the stain in your attempt to remove it at home.