While a dark red lipstick may look amazing on your lips, it isn’t so flattering when it ends up on your favorite shirt. It may be relatively simple to get a lipstick stain on your clothing, but it can be challenging to remove. Learning how to get lipstick out of clothes doesn’t have to be a hassle. We’re here to help.
Unfortunately, a majority of us have ended up with a nasty lipstick stain on our favorite garment. Whether your partner left a lipstick mark on your shirt, or you accidentally got some on your favorite dress, removing lipstick stains from fabric can be complicated.
Luckily, you can remove lipstick from clothes with a variety of products and cleaning methods without having to leave your home. Learn how to get lipstick out of clothes quickly, even after drying.
How to Remove Lipstick Stain from Clothing
Before trying any of the methods listed here, check the care label on the clothing and test the cleaning product and liquids on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure you won’t cause damage.
To avoid the lipstick sinking further into the fibers of the clothing, you should always try to treat the lipstick stain as soon as possible. It is also recommended that you don’t dry the clothing in the dryer when trying to remove lipstick from clothing, but rather allow the garment to air dry.
Today’s lipsticks are made with a variety of natural oils, petroleum-based chemicals, and human-made dyes. This combination of ingredients makes lipstick much harder to get out of your clothes than other makeup stains.
Here are some quick and simple techniques to remove lipstick from your clothes without having to empty your wallet at the dry cleaner. What’s even better, is that you probably already have most of the ingredients to fight these stains under your kitchen sink.
Simply Use Some Dish Soap
While harsh products like bleach are useful for removing stains, they can easily damage the fabric and cause an even bigger mess. Liquid dish soap is gentle enough to use on your clothing without damaging the color of the material.
Since many of the lipsticks on the market contain natural oils, you want to use a dish detergent that fights greasy spots. The great thing about dish soap as a lipstick remover is that you can use it on any clothing that is machine washable. Here’s how to get lipstick out of clothes using dish soap.
Lay the affected clothing on a paper towel, stain side down, to absorb the water you use as you dissolve the lipstick stain. Dab a small amount of the dish soap directly onto the back side of the stain and let it stand for ten minutes. Next, using a damp cloth, lightly blot the stain.
The paper towel underneath the clothing should absorb the water and the soap, and you should swap it out as it consumes the lipstick. Changing the paper towel frequently will keep the lipstick from transferring to new areas on your clothing.
Once you’ve removed the lipstick, you can throw the garment in the washing machine and launder as usual. Before drying the clothing, check to make sure the stain is no longer visible. If the lipstick stain is still visible, you’ll want to repeat the process until it is gone.
Use a Lemon Juice and Baking Soda Paste on old Lipstick Stains
Two everyday household items, baking soda, and lemon juice can effectively work together to remove lipstick stains from your shirts and other clothing. The acidity of the lemon breaks up the lipstick, which makes it easier to remove from the fabric.
Combine the lemon juice and baking soda and form a thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the lipstick and allow it to stand for thirty minutes. Place the clothing in your washer and clean as usual. Allow the piece of clothing to dry in the sun.
Remove Lipstick with Hairspray
You can effectively remove lipstick stains with another beauty staple. Hairspray is a highly effective stain remover and works exceptionally well on lipstick stains.
When using hairspray as a lipstick stain remover, you want to use an old-school hairspray because they contain more alcohol, which is the ingredient that breaks down the stain.
Spray hairspray onto the stain and let sit for at least ten minutes. Use a damp, clean cloth to dab the stain until it vanishes.
Use Shaving Cream
Foaming shaving cream is a standard item in your home that can be extremely useful in removing lipstick stains from your clothing. It works like a pre-wash when you rub it into the stain.
After applying the shaving cream to the lipstick stain, allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes, then launder as usual. Before placing the item in the dryer, check to make sure the stain is gone. If the stain remains, repeat the process until you eliminate the stain.
Removing Lipstick Stains with Liquid Detergent
Start by scraping off the excess lipstick with the blunt edge of a dull knife. Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or prewash stain remover directly to the stained area.
Be sure to apply the solution to both sides of the stain. Hold the stained area under running, warm water to rinse the stain carefully. Avoid rubbing the stain as this can further damage the clothing. Instead, gently dab or blot the stain.
Once you remove all the lipstick, wash the garment. Check to make sure the stain is no longer visible before drying the fabric.
Use Rubbing Alcohol to Get Rid of Lipstick Spots
Before you try this method, you want to test the rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t further damage the garment. Dampen a cotton ball or clean, white cloth with the rubbing alcohol. Gently blot the stain with the cotton ball to remove the lipstick from the clothing.
Avoid rubbing at the stain to avoid pushing the lipstick further into the fibers of the fabric. Once you’ve removed the stain, rinse the garment in cold water to remove the isopropyl alcohol from the clothing. Wash the clothing as usual.
How to Get Lipstick Out of Carpet
While you may not have planned on getting lipstick on the carpet, unfortunately, it happens, especially if you have kids.
Fortunately, you don’t have to panic if you do happen to notice a lipstick stain on your beautiful carpet. Here’s how to remove lipstick stains from carpet with simple everyday ingredients.
Use White Vinegar and Dish Soap
While you can easily wash lipstick stains out of your clothing, getting it out of your carpet or upholstery can be challenging. You can create a homemade stain remover for getting lipstick out of carpet by creating a cleaning solution of white vinegar and liquid dish soap.
The dish soap will cut through the oils in the stain, while the vinegar will clean and disinfect the area. Before using this stain removal product on your carpet, make sure to test it on a hidden area to ensure the carpet’s color doesn’t bleed.
This recipe can also work to get rid of other stains in carpet and clothing, too. You can remove slime from clothing or a rug with this solution, as well as treating vomit and juice stains. As always, check the care labels on the carpet or clothes to ensure that you will not further damage them in the process of removing the stain.
Pour the warm water into a container or pitcher. Add the white vinegar, then the dish soap. Thoroughly stir the liquid to blend the ingredients. Transfer the stain removal solution to a spray bottle and set the solution aside.
Scrape off any excess lipstick using the blunt edge of a dull knife. Spray the stain remover directly on the red lipstick stain and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Use some paper towels to blot the stained area. Continue to blot the lipstick stain until it transfers to the paper towel.
With the sponge, soaked in cold water, rub gently scrub the area and clean up any excess residue. Use a clean cloth to soak up the remaining moisture from the carpet and allow it to air dry.
Lipstick stains are essentially nothing more than hair dye stains in an oily base, making removing lipstick stains from clothing challenging. With the above home remedies and cleaning techniques, you should be able to effectively remove lipstick stains from all your fabrics, including your carpet.
Don’t let lipstick stains ruin your clothing, follow these simple techniques and get the stain out and keep your clothing looking like new.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the simple techniques for how to get lipstick out of clothes. If you found the lipstick stain removal tips in this article useful, please feel free to share it with all of your friends and family.