The Lipstick Stain Panic is Real, But a Solution is Here
That sinking feeling when you spot a bright smudge of lipstick on a crisp collar or your favorite blouse is universal. We know how frustrating this can be. Before you panic, remember that most lipstick stains can be removed if you use the right method.
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This guide will show you exactly what to do step by step. You can turn that moment of panic into a problem you can solve with confidence.
Before You Do Anything: The 3 Critical First Steps
What you do right after finding a stain can decide if it comes out completely or stays forever. Don’t rub the stain. Don’t add water. Don’t panic. Follow these three steps right away.
- Scrape, Don’t Rub!
Your first thought might be to rub the stain, but this is the worst thing to do. Rubbing pushes the oily color deeper into the fabric. Instead, get a dull, straight edge—like a credit card, the back of a butter knife, or a spoon edge. Gently slide the edge across the stain’s surface. You should see the excess lipstick lift off onto your tool without spreading. - Check the Care Label
This small tag tells you how to care for your clothing. Before you clean anything, you need to know what your fabric can handle. If the label says “Dry Clean Only,” your job is simple: don’t try to clean it at home. Just scrape off the excess and take it to a professional cleaner right away. - Always Patch Test Your Cleaning Solution
This step is a must and prevents a small stain from ruining your whole garment. Before putting any cleaner on the stain itself, test it on a hidden part of the clothing, like an inside seam. Apply a small amount of your cleaner, wait a minute, and blot with a white cloth. If any color comes off or the fabric changes color, stop right away and try something else.
The 3 Most Effective At-Home Removal Methods
After you’ve prepped the stain, it’s time to treat it. These methods use common household items and are backed by testing from cleaning experts like the Good Housekeeping Institute a trusted source. We’ll start with the best methods first.
Method 1: The Rubbing Alcohol Technique (Excellent for Tough Pigments)
This method works very well because alcohol breaks down and lifts the deep colors found in long-lasting or bright lipsticks.
What You’ll Need:
- Isopropyl alcohol (70% or 90%)
- Cotton balls or a clean white cloth
- A paper towel
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Place a folded paper towel under the stain. This stops the stain from going through to the other side of your clothing.
- Slightly dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. It should be damp, not dripping wet.
- Dab, don’t scrub, at the stain. Start from the outer edges and work toward the center. This keeps the stain from spreading.
- You will see the lipstick color moving from your clothing onto the cotton ball. Switch to a clean part of the cotton ball to avoid putting the stain back onto the fabric.
- Keep dabbing until no more color comes off.
- Thoroughly rinse the area with cool water to remove the alcohol before washing.
Method 2: The Dish Soap Solution (Best for Oil-Based Stains)
Most lipsticks have oil or wax to help them apply smoothly. Dish soap is made to break down grease and oil, making it perfect for this job.
What You’ll Need:
- A good liquid dish soap (one known for cutting grease)
- Your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- After scraping off the excess, put a single drop of liquid dish soap directly on the stain.
- Using your fingertip or a soft toothbrush, gently work the soap into the fabric. Use small, circular motions to help the soap get into the fibers.
- Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This waiting time is important, letting the soap break apart the greasy parts of the stain.
- Rinse the area well with cool water. For best results, rinse from the back of the fabric. This pushes the stain out of the fibers, not deeper in.
- Check the stain. If you still see it, repeat the process before washing or drying.
Method 3: Heavy-Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent
For a simple, one-product fix, a good liquid laundry detergent can work well as a pre-treatment. It’s made to tackle many stains, including oils and colors.
What You’ll Need:
- A high-quality liquid laundry detergent
- Cool water
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Pour a small amount of the liquid detergent directly onto the lipstick stain, just enough to cover it.
- Use your fingers or a soft brush to gently rub the detergent into the stain.
- Allow the detergent to sit for at least 15 minutes. For very stubborn stains, you can let it soak in cool water with more detergent for up to an hour.
- Wash the garment as usual, following the care label. Make sure the stain is completely gone before putting the item in the dryer.
The Stain-Fighting Matrix: Choosing the Right Method for Your Fabric
Not all fabrics are the same. Using the wrong method on delicate fabric can cause damage. This chart helps you choose the safest and most effective treatment.
| Fabric Type | Recommended Method(s) | Important Cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton / Linen | Dish Soap, Rubbing Alcohol, Laundry Detergent | Very durable. Can typically withstand gentle scrubbing with a soft brush. |
| Synthetics (Polyester, Nylon) | Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent | Avoid high heat. Rubbing alcohol is generally safe, but you must always patch test first. |
| Wool | Gentle Dish Soap (diluted), Wool-safe Detergent | Never rub wool when wet, as it can destroy the fibers. Blot only. Avoid hot water, which will cause it to shrink and felt. |
| Silk / Rayon | Mild Dish Soap (heavily diluted) or professional cleaning | Extremely delicate. Do not use rubbing alcohol or enzyme detergents. Blot very gently. Professional help is safest. |
Pro-Level Advice: Tackling Set-In Stains and Common Mistakes
Sometimes a stain isn’t noticed until it’s been washed or has sat for days. While harder to remove, these stains aren’t always hopeless. As shared by cleaning and fabric care experts, avoiding common mistakes is just as important as the cleaning process.
What About Old, Set-In Lipstick Stains?
Patience is your main tool here. A stain that has fully dried or been heated in a dryer is very hard to remove.
Your best approach is a long soak. Fill a basin with cool water and a lot of enzyme-based stain remover or heavy-duty laundry detergent. Soak the garment completely for several hours, or overnight.
After soaking, gently squeeze out the item and apply one of the pre-treatment methods (like dish soap or rubbing alcohol) directly to the stain. You may need to repeat this cycle two or three times before the stain finally lifts.
4 Lipstick Stain Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Clothes
- Mistake 1: Rubbing the Stain. We can’t say this enough. Rubbing forces the oil and color deeper into the fabric, making it much harder to remove. Always scrape and blot.
- Mistake 2: Using Hot Water Initially. Hot water will “cook” the stain. It melts the wax and oil, causing them to spread and bond with the fibers. Always use cool or lukewarm water for stain treatment.
- Mistake 3: Throwing it in the Dryer. This is the point of no return. The high heat of a dryer will set any remaining stain, making it a permanent part of the fabric. Always air dry the garment until you are sure the stain is gone.
- Mistake 4: Using Chlorine Bleach. While it might seem strong, chlorine bleach can react with the oily part of lipstick, sometimes leaving a new yellowish stain that won’t come out. It can also remove color from your clothing. Stick to oxygen-based bleaches if needed, and only after testing.
The Final Step: Laundering and a Final Check
Once you’ve pre-treated the stain and it appears to be gone, it’s time for the final wash. Don’t skip this step, as it removes any remaining cleaning solution.
- Wash the garment according to its care label. You can use your regular detergent and the recommended water temperature. We suggest washing the stained item with other similar clothes. The extra friction from other clothes can help work out any last bits of the stain.
- After washing, take the garment out and check it carefully before putting it in a dryer.
- Hold the damp fabric up to a bright light. Look at the original spot. Look for both color and a faint, darker, or greasy-looking shadow, which shows some oil remains. If you see anything, repeat the pre-treatment.
- If the area is completely clear, you can dry the garment as usual. We recommend air drying if you have any doubts, just to be safe.
FAQ
How quickly should I treat a lipstick stain to get it out of clothes?
Treat lipstick stains immediately by scraping (not rubbing) excess product, then apply your chosen method within 24 hours for best results.
Can I use hairspray to get lipstick out of clothes?
While some suggest using hairspray to get lipstick out of clothes, modern formulations are less effective than rubbing alcohol or dish soap methods.
What’s the best method to get lipstick out of delicate fabrics like silk?
To get lipstick out of silk clothes, use heavily diluted mild dish soap, gently blot (never rub), and consider professional cleaning for valuable items.
Will dry cleaning successfully get lipstick out of clothes?
Professional dry cleaning can effectively get lipstick out of clothes, especially for “dry clean only” garments where home treatments might damage the fabric.
How can I get lipstick out of clothes after it’s been through the dryer?
For set-in lipstick stains that have been through the dryer, soak overnight in enzyme-based stain remover, then apply rubbing alcohol or dish soap directly to the stain.
