Eco-friendly Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Cut down on waste by sewing a set of super easy reusable makeup remover pads! Follow the photos and easy directions below to make your own.

These DIY cotton rounds are gentle on the skin and easy to clean. Just toss them in the laundry!

Because they are reusable, the cotton rounds save money from buying single use rounds. That is wonderful for living a zero waste lifestyle.

DIY makeup remover pads can also make wonderful gifts or craft show items. Customize them with different prints or keep it simple with all white. Then tie a stack with a bow, or place them in a gift box.

Materials to Sew DIY Makeup Remover Pads

Use caution when choosing a patterned fabric. Try not to choose a print with too much bold color, as it can bleed onto the white. Plus, it’s not good for our skin to have harmful dyes come in contact with sensitive areas – like our eyes! Cotton is a safe choice. For the remover side, white flannel is a great option!

You will also need coordinating thread and basic sewing tools.

How to Sew DIY Cotton Rounds

Step 1 – Prepare Fabric

First, wash, dry, and press fabrics.

Step 2 – Cut Fabric Into Squares

Then, using a rotary mat and cutter, cut both fabrics into 3.5” squares. Cut as many squares as you would like to have finished pads out of both fabrics.

Helpful tip: Cut 3.5” strips of fabric. Layer two or three strips on top of each other, then make cuts perpendicular to the strip at 3.5” all the way down. This makes cutting squares faster!

Step 3 – Assemble Squares

Next, place a patterned square, pattern face down, on top of a white square. Pin once or twice in the middle of the square to hold.

Step 4 – Sew Around Square(s)

Using ¼” seam allowance, stitch around an individual square. Be sure to leave a 1” opening in the middle of one side. See photo for reference on where to leave the opening.

Step 5 – Cut Corners

Then, snip the corners to cut down on bulk inside the squares.

Step 6 – Turn Right Side Out

Now, through the 1” opening, turn the squares right side out. Gently use a turning tool to push out the corners of the squares.

Step 7 – Press

Next, fold the opening in (it should already be tucked in slightly) and press with iron. Pressing the whole square will also help it to lay flat.

Step 8 – Top Stitch

Finally, top stitch around the edge of the whole square close to the edge. You can use a 1/8” seam allowance, or closer if you’d like. Repeat process for the desired number of remover pads.

Use and Care

How to use: Squirt makeup remover onto the pad or use it to gently wipe away makeup remover applied to the skin. Wash and dry after use.

Store the pads in a convenient container with your facial products.

Make a few or a whole bunch for friends!

Don’t forget to pin this project for later, and check out some more sewing projects for beginners listed below.