Most people don't realize how big of a deal lipstick stains can be until they have to deal with them.

For one, these stains are often very bright, which means they can be very conspicuous. Secondly, they are especially tough to clean off.

Why Are Lipstick Stains So Tricky?

Lipsticks have natural oils that should keep your lips soft and moist. They also have petroleum-based chemicals to give your lips that long-lasting shine.

Of course, they also have a dye, which is what makes them so attractive to look at. In contrast, lip balm is easier to remove from clothes because it does not have this dye.

In fact, lip balm can be used to remove lipstick off the skin.

Check The Fabric Label First

Before you think of taking the lipstick off the clothes, it is important to check the fabric care label. For instance, polyester fabrics can turn yellow when handled with chlorine bleach.

Similarly, you should avoid using acetone nail polish remover on clothes with acetate. For wool, you should avoid using alcohol, ammonia, chlorine bleach, or enzyme detergent.

Another important tip is to resist the temptation to rub the stain off. That will only push the stain deeper into the fabric and even spread it around, making the job of removing it that much harder.

1. How To Remove Excess Lipstick From Fabric

Sometimes, you might have excess lipstick on your fabric. In this case, you should use a hard blunt edge to get rid of the excess lipstick.

Your options include a credit card or a dull knife. Something sharp might cut into the fabric and ruin it in a worse way.

2. How To Get Rid Of Lipstick From Dry Clean Clothes Only

If the fabric is dry clean only, don't make the mistake of getting rid of the stain by washing it off. Take such clothes straight to the cleaners.

Dry clean clothes are often made of silk, satin, chiffon, suede, wool, taffeta, and leather. You should also make sure you bring the lipstick stain to the attention of the cleaners.

For washable clothes, you have the option of removing the lipstick stain from the fabric without washing it entirely.

3. How To Remove Lipstick From Clothes Using Lemon And Baking Soda After They Have Been Washed

Sometimes, the lipstick will not come off even after the cleaners have washed it. At this point, the stain is much harder to remove, but you can still get rid of it.

The heat from the dryer makes the stain set, and that makes it more stubborn.

If you discover a lipstick stain on your fabric after it has been washed and dried, then you might need lemon juice and baking soda to get it off.

You should start by mixing some lemon juice with baking soda in equal parts to make a paste that you should rub into the stain using a clean cloth.

After leaving it for 30 minutes, you should brush off the paste and wash the garment as usual. However, if this method does not work, you can try to scrub the area with the paste using a toothbrush as long as the fabric can handle it.

4. How To Remove Lipstick Stains Using Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly can also be used to get rid of lipstick stains. You should start by applying the jelly on the stain.

Make sure you cover the stain with petroleum jelly.

After that, toss the fabric into the washing machine and run the washer under normal settings. If the stain remains, you can try another stain removal method.

5. How To Remove The Lipstick Stain Using Ammonia

Ammonia is a very strong stain remover. However, it is also toxic and requires delicate handling.

Note that you should only use it on washable fabric. Also, before you open ammonia, ensure the room is well-ventilated.

Otherwise, soak some cotton swabs in ammonia and dab the stain gently with them until the stain is completely gone. After that, rinse the stained area properly before washing the fabric normally.

6. How To Remove The Stain Using Dish Soap, Liquid Detergent, Or Shampoo

Dishwashing liquid, shampoo, and laundry detergent all have ingredients that can remove oil and grease stains, such as those caused by lipstick.

You can even use these compounds on machine washable fabrics as they will not affect the color of the fabric.

To remove the lipstick stain using dish soap, liquid detergent, or shampoo, you should start by laying the garment on a clean towel with the side with the stain facing down. After that, you should dampen the fabric with some water.

From there, squirt some dish soap, shampoo, or liquid detergent on the backside of the fabric before leaving it to soak for at least 10 minutes.

Finally, use a damp paper towel to blot the stain (don't rub!). Note that you might have to repeat this process a couple of times before the stain is completely gone.

7. Removing Lipstick From Washable Fabrics Using Acetone, Alcohol, And Homemade Dishwashing Soap

Use an eyedropper to apply a dry solvent like mineral spirit or acetone (such as nail polish remover) to the stain in a properly ventilated area.

After that, tap the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush. From there, flush the area with isopropyl alcohol until the lipstick is gone before allowing it to dry.

From there, spray diluted dishwashing soap solution before treating the garment with an enzyme detergent before laundering.

You can make the dishwashing solution yourself using a tablespoon of fragrance-and-dye-free liquid soap containing sodium laurel sulfate mixed with 10 ounces of water.

8. How To Remove Lipstick From Clothes Using Shaving Cream

If you didn't know, shaving cream is great at removing stains before washing your clothes.

First, you have to apply ample amounts of shaving cream to the stain before blotting it off and then washing the fabric.

9. How To Remove Lipstick From Washable Wool

Wool fabrics belong in a category of their own when it comes to most stains, including lipstick stains. Unless you are very careful, you can easily destroy your woolen clothes with most cleaning solutions.

So, to get rid of lipstick stains on wool, you should use mild shampoos or laundry detergents. They should have no enzymes.

If that fails, you should get in touch with dry cleaners.

10. Removing Lipstick From Upholstery

Upholstery can easily get stained with lipstick, and unless you know how to get rid of the stain, removing it can seem like an impossible challenge.

However, you can take a cloth, apply toothpaste to it, and scrub it out. For dry lipstick, you can use a plastic knife or spoon to scrape off the lipstick.

Ammonia can also help out when removing lipstick stains from upholstery.

You should put enough ammonia on the stain to cover it and then scrub it lightly. From there, wipe down the resulting residue with a clean damp cloth.

Spraying some hairspray to the stain on the upholstery and letting it soak for five minutes before wiping it off with a clean, dry cloth can also help.

11. Getting Rid Of Lipstick From Carpet Using Vinegar

If you have a brightly colored carpet, then staining it with lipstick can create quite a mess. In this case, you can create a cleaning solution using white vinegar and liquid dish soap.

The dish soap will get rid of the oils, while the vinegar will clean the area. Of course, you should ensure that the carpet can handle these chemicals without getting bleached.

12. Remove The Lipstick Stain Using Hairspray Or Hand Sanitizer

Hairspray that has alcohol in it can quickly fix the lipstick stain issue on washable fabrics. Isopropyl alcohol is great at breaking down stains and can get rid of almost anything.

Hand sanitizer can get the job done as well. However, be sure that the hairspray has alcohol, as some modern versions might lack this compound.

You should spray hairspray or hand sanitizer on the stain and then blot it with a cloth soaked in warm water until it is completely gone after waiting for 15 minutes.

You can also use regular alcohol such as vodka. All you have to do is wet a cotton ball or a paper towel with it and dab the stain until it is gone before washing the stained area with cold water.

Is That It?

Makeup stains are not easy to remove, especially lipstick stains. So, if one of the methods recommended fails, you should try another technique until the stain is gone.

Remember that you have to repeat some of these procedures a number of times before they work. Otherwise, if nothing seems to be working, then you can consult with a professional cleaner.