How to Remove Lipstick Stains From Clothing

How to Remove Lipstick From Clothes

1. Remove Solids

   If there are any solids, use the edge of a scaper, dull knife, or credit card to lift away the solids. Since almost all lipsticks contain an oil or wax combination to help them glide onto the lips, the first step is to remove any globs of the oil or wax residue.
   

2. Pretreat the Stain

   Begin by pretreating the stain using a solvent-based stain removal product, like Zout or Shout. If you don't have a solvent-based pre-treater handy, apply a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent (Tide and Persil are considered heavy-duty with enough enzymes to break apart the oil) to the stain and work it in by gently rubbing with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Allow the stain remover to work for at least 15 minutes.

3. Wash as Usual

   Wash the garment in the hottest water appropriate for the fabric, following the guidelines on the care label. After cleaning, inspect the stained area. If you still notice a stain, repeat the treatment.

   If the stain is gone, you can dry it using the clothes dryer. The dryer's high heat, especially for synthetic fabrics, can make the stain very difficult to remove.

   Tip

   If a lipstick, lip balm, or lipgloss stain has gone through the dryer and it's still on the fabric, apply a dot of hand dishwashing detergent to the spot and rub it into the fibers with the hottest water your fabric (and hands) can tolerate. Let it sit an hour and wash it as usual.

4. Soak Stubborn Stains in Bleach

   To remove any remaining dye component, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and cool water. Follow the package directions as to how much product per gallon of water.

   Submerge the stained item and allow it to soak for at least eight hours. Check the clothes and wash them as usual if the dye stains are gone. If they remain, mix a fresh batch of oxygen bleach solution, soak for another eight hours, and then wash following the care label guidelines.

   Chlorine bleach can be used on white cotton fabrics, but oxygen bleach is safe for any white, colored, or print materials. Also, you only need to soak items in diluted chlorine bleach for 30 to 45 minutes.

Additional Tips for Handling Lipstick Stains

Repeat the steps if the stain doesn't come out on the first attempt. You can also soak the item in diluted oxygen or chlorine bleach (white fabrics only).

Standard household supplies can also remove lipstick stains. Use them as pre-treatment before washing the item as you usually would.

• Rubbing alcohol or acetone: Moisten a clean white cloth with rubbing alcohol, blot the stain with alcohol to remove the lipstick, and rinse with water. Wash as usual.
• Hairspray: Before using hairspray on fabric, test it in an inconspicuous spot. Spray the hairspray onto the lipstick stain and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Dip a clean cloth in warm water to wipe away the hairspray and lipstick. Wash as usual.
• Vinegar: You can remove lipstick stains on clothes with white distilled vinegar. Apply vinegar to the affected area with a cotton ball and gently dab. Wash as usual.

When to Call a Professional

Lift lipstick solids away from the surface of your dry-clean-only clothing with a dull knife or scraper edge. Do not rub. Only blot the stain with a clean white paper towel. At your earliest convenience, head to the dry cleaner and point out and identify the stain to your professional cleaner.