Amazingly effective. I don’t wear makeup all the time, often because I hate taking it off at night. I’m now wearing makeup more than ever because of how easily my Makeup Eraser takes it off. I will second what other reviewers have said: get it sopping wet, with the warmest water you can stand, then add more water the second it’s not dripping wet. To get it wet enough, you’re going to want to make sure there aren’t any spots of lighter pink left; keep letting it absorb water if all of it isn’t dark pink. It will take a bit for it to get this wet. Reviewers who say it wrecked their skin were definitely not getting the cloth wet enough, because when it’s not crazy wet, you do feel the fibers against your skin, and I can imagine it being rough if you used it that way constantly. If you feel the fibers rubbing against your skin, get it wetter. When the cloth is wet enough, it’s so easy for me to get the makeup off that it almost seems to be melting off my face by magic...it’s almost spooky. I generally cradle the cloth with my other hand when I’m taking off my makeup, to keep it from being heavy and swinging as it hangs down, and also to prevent it from losing more water as it takes off the makeup. Other reviewers have said you can get oodles of microfiber cloths and use them for this purpose for much cheaper, with the same effect. I’m sure you can, but it’s wonderful to have a dedicated cloth just for your makeup. The tag even says “Makeup Eraser” on it, so others in your household have no excuse for thinking it’s a dishcloth or washcloth, especially if you get it in pink or another bright color. I think its odd shape helps prevent this confusion, too. One reason I’m glad I went with this cloth instead of a generic microfiber cloth is that one side of it has fibers that are shorter, presumably designed with the optimal length to take off makeup, and the other side has fibers of a longer length that are meant to exfoliate your skin, if desired (at least, according to included instructions). As with many other reviewers, I just use one area of the cloth at a time and can use it with at least a week’s worth of makeup that way before washing. Often longer for me, since I generally just wear eye makeup/mascara. The instructions say you can use cleanser or soap with the cloth if you want, but I don’t—there is no need for more than water. I bought two Makeup Erasers so I always have one clean when the other’s in the wash. You’re supposed to wash them in hot water, and they can go through the dryer, so there’s no need to babysit them as delicates. The instructions say it doesn’t matter which detergent or fabric softener you use, with the latter described as optional. I wash mine in a mesh garment bag so I can find it easier in the wash. In a pinch, I’ve even washed it by hand in the sink using liquid hand soap and a bit of scrubbing, though it’s much simpler to just throw it in the washer with a load of towels. I truly only wish I’d bought a Makeup Eraser sooner. Just buy one already. Better yet, buy two. So, SO freaking worth it. :)