From blouse to dresses, accidentally smearing makeup while dressing up can happen without a doubt. Powdered makeup foundations are easy to rub off, but lipstick marks are a completely different challenge.
Generally, most lipsticks are made from wax, oil, and pigment. The wax and oil ingredients in lipstick make it stay longer throughout the day, however it is extra difficult to remove lipstick stains from clothing.
How do you get lipstick out of clothes? In order to get lipstick out of clothes, try to lift any chunks with a butter knife to make it easier to clean up.
Once the chunks are cleared away, use a stain remover such as acetone, hairspray, or white distilled vinegar with fingers or soft bristled brush, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
If the lipstick stain is completely gone, wash and dry the garment as indicated on the care label instructions.
Lipstick stains are oil-based stains, therefore requiring a bit more attention to prevent from setting in prior to cleaning.
When applying a solvent-based remover or heavy-duty detergent, read the care label and always test on a small hidden area of the garment to avoid any mistakes.
This article shares tips and best way to remove lipstick stains from clothing. Answered below are frequently asked questions about solutions to follow when lipstick stained clothes are already washed or dried.
Do lipstick stains wash out?
Yes, lipstick stains do wash out. Instead of using a gentle detergent to wash, always pre-treat the stain as soon as possible to keep it from setting.
However, not all fabrication work with one solution. Any polyester or cotton garment are usually machine washable, but it is best to remove the stain ahead of time before throwing into the machine.
For any silk or delicate fabric garment, consider sending to a professional dry cleaners to help you out of the mess. I would still suggest to remove any old particles of lipsticks from the clothing before delivering to the dry cleaner.
The general rule is the less time the lipstick stain has to set, the better and easier to remove. Let the professional know the kind of stain before they start the dry cleaning process.
Can vinegar remove lipstick stains?
Yes, vinegar can remove lipstick stains. In fact, it is the most natural stain removal solution that you can use other than strong and harsh chemicals.
White distilled vinegar works best directly on the affected area. Make sure to test that the vinegar doesn’t damage or discolor the fabric.
This solution also works well on long-settled lipstick stains. Always carefully remove the solid particles with a butter knife, then sprinkle the vinegar on the affected area to gently dab and remove.
Will Dawn remove lipstick stains?
Yes, Dawn will remove lipstick stains. Because the lipstick stains contains oil and wax, the detergent is able to easily get rid of the grease.
Simply wet the stain and rub in Dawn using your finger, then run the affected area under cold water.
Dawn dish soap is a good source for removing oil-based lipsticks, and it is widely used as a pretreatment before doing laundry.
However, do not use Dawn as a substitute for clothing detergent to pour into the washing machine. It won’t clean the clothes well and will leave a film of soap, which will eventually make your clothes discolored.
How do you get dried lipsticks out of clothes?
It is recommended to treat the lipstick stains when fresh because it is easy to remove before settling occurs.
In order to get dried lipstick out of clothes, use nail polish remover or white distilled vinegar on the stain, then lightly brush with a toothbrush.
Rinse the affected area with rubbing alcohol, and then wash the garment with cold water. Before putting into the washing machine, check the stain area and ensure it is completely clean.
If rubbing alcohol or vinegar is not available, consider using toothpaste to rub gently.
Always read the care label before applying these solution to remove a lipstick stain. When in doubt, consult with a professional or send to dry cleaner to get the job done.
How to remove lipstick stains from clothes after drying
Unfortunately, there is a possibility of leaving a lipstick stain on clothing and accidentally throwing the garment into the dryer. And now, you have a beautiful item with a settled in lipstick stain.
Getting the lipstick mark out of clothes that have already been dried is extremely difficult. Soak the stain with white vinegar, and then apply a paste made out of equal parts baking soda and vinegar.
Leave the paste a couple of hours or overnight until the stain is completely removed.
For any delicate fabrication, flip the clothes inside out and apply the solution on the back of the garment to gently dab and rub to prevent from scuffing the fabric surface.
How to remove lipstick from clothes without washing
Most lipstick stain removing processes involve washing and soaking. However, when water or washing is impossible due to situation, there is quick way to fix this issue without washing.
Rubbing alcohol is the most effective method to remove lipstick stains. The alcohol content easily breaks down the oil and wax particles on the garment.
Instead of pouring the alcohol directly on the affected area, soak a cotton ball or tips of a washcloth and gently rub over the stains.
Allow the alcohol to set into the fabric for 10 to 15 minutes. This will let the alcohol do the stain fighting without the burden of washing.
After the stains are cleared out, use a dry towel to pat clean.
Avoid rubbing the stain and instead dab the area to absorb the remnants of lipstick stain and alcohol. Rubbing can lead to friction and spread the lipstick stains.
Repeat the process until the lipstick stain is completely removed.
The time and technique may vary due to how old the lipstick stain is. The bigger and older the stain is the longer the process may take.
Tips to remove lipstick stains from clothing
Whether the lipstick stain is fresh or old, completely removing it is not easy. Due to being an oil-based stain, it requires specialized care to remove before the lipstick sets into the clothing permanently.
- Use distilled white vinegar or Dawn to pretreat the lipstick stain prior to wash and drying.
- If the stain is dried out, use a butter knife to carefully remove any solid residue to apply the solution.
- Gently dab and rub the affected area with finger, cotton ball, or toothbrush.
- Use cold running water to rinse the solution instead of hot or warm water to prevent the stain from setting in.
- Read the care label and test the solution on a small hidden area of the garment before following the procedure.
Best way to remove lipstick stains from clothing
Regardless of type of fabrication of the garment, pre-treating the lipstick stain is the first step to take instead of throwing it into washer and dryer.
Easiest way to get rid of the lipstick mark is by using white distilled vinegar or Dawn dish soap. Use a small amount of the solution on the affected area and gently rub it to see if the stain starts disappearing.
If the lipstick stain is fully dried, remove solid parts before applying nail polish remover or vinegar on the right side or back side of the fabric.
A quick fix without using water is with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol helps to dissolve the oil-based stain easily.
It is recommended to clear up the stains before washing and drying. But in some cases, stains may already dried and settled in.
Submerge the lipstick stain in white vinegar and apply baking soda and vinegar paste to remove harsh stains.
Sometimes, lipstick stains just need more time to remove. Always rinse with cold running water and evaluate the stain before repeating the process.
Review the care label and apply the proper procedure to select the right solution to save your time and energy. When nothing works on your end, it is time to reach out to dry cleaning professional to save your favorite garment.
Remove Lipstick Stains from Clothing: Conclusion
There are various ways to remove lipstick stains from clothing. The method and solution may vary due to how old the stain is and the type of fabrication the garment is made out of.
The best way to remove lipstick stains from clothing is by treating the stain as soon as possible. Remove any solids on the stain so the solution can interact to treat.
Use vinegar, Dawn, rubbing alcohol, or baking soda paste to gently rub it off. Allow it to work for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing the residue under cold water.
Observe the affected area and repeat the process if needed before washing and drying.
Always test the cleaning technique on a small part of the garment that is hidden from plain view. Make sure that the cleaner does not affect the color or fabrication of the clothing.