How to Get Lipstick Stains Out of Clothes: Quick Guide

When it comes to getting lipstick out of clothes, you have to act fast. The basic game plan is to scrape off any excess, gently blot the stain with a solvent like rubbing alcohol or dish soap, and then wash it as you normally would. But the golden rule? Never put it in the dryer until that stain is completely gone.

Your Immediate Response to a Lipstick Stain

We’ve all been there—that sinking feeling when you spot a bright red smear on your favorite blouse. It’s a universal moment of panic. After all, lipstick is designed to stay put, packed with stubborn oils, waxes, and pigments that love to cling to fabric.

What you do in those first few moments can mean the difference between a stain that becomes a permanent part of the garment and one that’s just a distant memory. Your goal here is pure damage control.

The biggest mistake I see people make is rushing to scrub the stain with water. This usually just pushes the oily, waxy parts deeper into the fabric, making the problem so much worse.

Stop the Stain from Spreading

Your first job is containment. Start by gently lifting off any solid bits of lipstick that are sitting on the surface. I find the edge of a credit card or a dull butter knife works perfectly for this. Just be careful not to smear it around.

Next, it's all about the blot. Never rub. Find a clean paper towel and place the stained part of your garment face down on top of it. Then, using a clean cloth or another paper towel, dab the back of the stain with your cleaning solution. This clever little trick pushes the lipstick out of the fabric and onto the paper towel underneath, instead of driving it deeper into the fibers.

With the global lipstick market projected to hit a staggering $23.77 billion by 2030, it’s safe to say these pesky stains are only going to become a more common laundry challenge. If you're curious, you can dive deeper into the lipstick market trends on Grandview Research.

Crucial Tip: Always work from the outside of the stain and move inward as you dab. This contains the smudge and stops you from accidentally making the stain bigger.

Immediate Stain Response Dos and Don'ts

When you first notice that dreaded smudge, it’s easy to panic and do the wrong thing. Here’s a quick reference guide to keep you on the right track.

Following these simple rules can drastically improve your chances of completely removing the stain before it sets.

Assembling Your Stain Removal Toolkit

Before you can tackle that lipstick stain, you need the right tools on hand. Having a small, dedicated stain-fighting arsenal ready to go means you can act fast—and speed is everything when it comes to stain removal success. The good news? You probably already have most of these items in your home.

The goal here is to break down the complex formula of modern lipstick, which is a stubborn mix of oils, waxes, and some seriously powerful pigments. Think of it like a two-part mission: you need a solvent to dissolve the greasy stuff and a detergent to lift it all away from the fabric fibers.

Your Go-To Lipstick Stain Removers

Your primary weapon against those waxy, oily compounds is isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol. It works as a solvent, cutting right through the greasy structure of the stain. This makes it so much easier to lift out of the fabric.

Another surprisingly powerful tool is a good quality liquid dish soap. Its grease-cutting formula is made to break down oils from food, and it works just as well on the oils found in cosmetics. A heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent can do the trick, too.

For a quick fix, some aerosol hairsprays can work wonders. The secret is their alcohol content, which helps dissolve the stain. Just be sure to check the label—a lot of newer formulas are alcohol-free and won’t be effective at all.

Pro Tip: Always have a stash of clean, white cloths or paper towels. You'll need them for blotting the stain without accidentally transferring new colors onto your garment.

Having the right tools is half the battle, and understanding how to use them on different materials is key. For comprehensive insights into cleaning tools and stain removal tricks, particularly for leather items, check out this guide on how to clean leather handbags like a pro. Knowing a bit of the science behind how stain removers work can also give you a major advantage in your fight against stubborn stains.

The Proven Method for Removing Lipstick Stains

Alright, you've got your stain-fighting toolkit ready to go. Now for the main event. We're about to walk through the tried-and-true process for lifting those waxy, colorful lipstick marks from everyday fabrics like cotton and polyester. The real secret here isn't frantic scrubbing, but a little bit of patience and the right technique.

The whole game plan is to push the stain out of the fabric, not rub it deeper into the fibers. Honestly, this is the most critical part of the entire process. It’s what makes the difference between a clean save and a permanent pink shadow on your favorite blouse.

And it’s tougher than ever thanks to modern long-lasting lipsticks. Those smudge-proof formulas are designed to stay put on your lips, which means they're just as stubborn on fabric. In fact, the global market for lip stains is projected to hit $10 billion by 2029. You can read more about what’s driving that trend on Accio.com.

Pre-Treating the Lipstick Stain

First things first, grab a clean cloth you don’t mind getting dirty or a few paper towels. Lay your garment on a flat, solid surface, but here's the key: place the lipstick stain face down on top of the paper towels. Getting this setup right is essential for what comes next.

Now, from the backside of the fabric, dab your cleaning solution on. A cotton ball with a bit of rubbing alcohol or even a few drops of dish soap will do the trick. As you gently dab the back of the stained area, you should start seeing the lipstick transfer from your clothing onto the paper towel underneath.

Keep an eye on that paper towel. Once it starts absorbing the color, swap it out for a fresh one so you don't accidentally transfer the stain right back. Keep dabbing until you don’t see any more color coming off onto the towel.

Rinsing and Washing Your Garment

Once you've lifted as much of the pigment as you can, it's time for a rinse. Hold the stained area under cool, running water. Just like before, you want to rinse from the back of the fabric to keep pushing any leftover residue out and away.

After a good rinse, work a small amount of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent directly into the spot. Gently rub the fabric against itself to work the soap in, then let it sit for about 15 minutes.

Finally, toss it in the wash. Follow the instructions on the care label, and use the warmest water that the fabric can handle.

The Most Important Rule: Before that garment goes anywhere near your dryer, check the spot in bright light. If there is even a faint hint of the lipstick stain left, do not apply heat. The heat from a dryer will set that stain for good, making it almost impossible to get out later.

If you still see a mark, don't panic. Just repeat the pre-treatment and washing steps. A little extra patience at this stage is what will ultimately save your clothes.

Handling Lipstick Stains on Delicate Fabrics

What works wonders on a rugged cotton t-shirt can spell disaster for your favorite silk blouse or that cozy wool sweater. Delicate fabrics demand a much lighter touch. Materials like silk, wool, and rayon have sensitive fibers that just can't handle harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing.

Sloshing rubbing alcohol on silk will strip its beautiful sheen and can even weaken the fibers over time. And if you get too aggressive with wool, you can cause it to felt, ruining that soft, familiar texture for good. It's time to shift from an all-out stain attack to a more careful, defensive strategy.

Gentle Techniques for Silk and Wool

When you find a lipstick smudge on a silk garment, your best move is to reach for a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Mix just a tiny bit with cool water, dip a clean white cloth into the solution, and gently dab—don't rub!—the stain. Friction is the enemy of silk and can cause permanent damage.

Wool is another one that needs special care. The main goal here is to avoid anything that could cause shrinking or warping. Grab a wool-safe detergent and use that same gentle dabbing motion. Any scrubbing will only mat the wool fibers together, and there’s no coming back from that.

Expert Advice: If you're ever in doubt about treating a delicate item yourself, just stop. Bringing it to a professional is always the safest bet to save a precious garment from an accidental ruin.

What to Do with Dry-Clean Only Items

When that little tag says "Dry-Clean Only," it’s not just a suggestion—it's a strict warning you should always listen to. These clothes simply aren't made to handle water or the cleaners you have under your sink. Trying to wash them at home often leads to shrinking, weird discoloration, or a completely ruined shape.

You can, however, give your dry cleaner a little head start. Take the dull edge of a butter knife or a credit card and gently scrape off any excess, caked-on lipstick. But that's it. Don't add water, don't try any spot treatments. Just point out the stain when you drop it off.

Our professional dry clean services for silk and other fine fabrics give us access to specialized solvents that are tough on stains but gentle on the material. For these items, trusting the pros is by far the smartest move.

Tackling Old or Stubborn Lipstick Stains

We’ve all been there. You pull a favorite blouse out of the closet only to discover an old lipstick mark that somehow went unnoticed. When a stain has had time to dry, set, and work its way deep into the fabric fibers, it’s a whole different ballgame. These stubborn marks need a more aggressive, yet still careful, approach.

If the usual tricks aren't working on sturdy fabrics like cotton or denim, it might be time to bring out a heavy hitter: ammonia. Its power to break down grease and oil is pretty incredible. Just be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and never mix ammonia with bleach. Dab a few drops onto a cotton swab, gently work it into the stain, and then rinse the area completely before washing as usual.

Using Commercial Stain Removers

When home remedies just won't cut it, your next best bet is a commercial stain remover designed specifically for oil and wax-based stains. The market for these products is huge and getting bigger, with an expected valuation of $28.84 billion by 2035, partly because we all want effective, eco-friendly options. You can find more details on the stain remover market on MarketResearchFuture.com.

These products are engineered to dissolve the exact compounds that make lipstick so persistent.

• Follow the Directions: This is a big one. Always read and follow the product's instructions, as they can vary quite a bit.
• Test It First: Find a hidden spot, like an inside seam, and apply a small amount to make sure it won’t discolor your fabric.
• Give It Time: The real magic happens when you let the product sit and penetrate the stain for the recommended time before tossing it in the wash.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to layer your techniques. I've had success starting with a commercial remover, letting it do its thing, and then following up with a detergent pre-treatment right before washing. This one-two punch can break down different layers of the stain.

But what if the stain still won't budge after a few attempts? Sometimes, it's time to call in the professionals. Certain pigments and oils can become so embedded that at-home methods just can't get them out, especially on delicate fabrics. Knowing when to stop is the key to preventing permanent damage to your clothes. You can learn more in our guide about some of the most difficult stains we treat.

Answering Your Top Lipstick Stain Questions

Even when you follow the steps perfectly, lipstick can be a stubborn foe. Let's tackle some of the common questions and myths I hear all the time about getting these waxy, oily stains out of clothes.

So, Does Hairspray Actually Work on Lipstick Stains?

I get this question a lot. The short answer is: sometimes, but it's risky.

The "hairspray trick" comes from the days when aerosol hairsprays were packed with alcohol. That alcohol is a fantastic solvent for breaking down the oils and waxes in lipstick. If you happen to have an old-school, alcohol-based spray, you could try spritzing the stain, letting it sit for about 10 minutes, and then blotting it before washing.

Here's the problem: most modern hairsprays are alcohol-free. Using them will likely just leave you with a sticky, gummy mess on top of the original stain, making things way worse. Honestly, it's not worth the gamble.

My advice? Skip the hairspray entirely. If you want to use the same principle, just grab a bottle of plain old rubbing alcohol. It’s far more effective and you know exactly what you’re putting on your clothes.

What if a Stain Already Went Through the Dryer?

Ah, the dreaded dryer-set stain. The heat basically bakes the lipstick's pigments into the fabric fibers, which can feel like a point of no return. It’s tough, but not always impossible.

Your best bet is to bring out the big guns. Apply a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent or a quality commercial stain remover directly onto the stain. Really work it in and let it soak for several hours, or even overnight if you can. You need to give those enzymes time to get deep into the fibers and break things down.

After its long soak, rewash the garment in the hottest water the fabric can handle. You might need to do this a couple of times, but don't give up after the first wash!

Can I Use Baking Soda or Toothpaste?

You see these kinds of "hacks" all over the internet, but please, steer clear of them for lipstick stains.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive, but it does next to nothing to dissolve the oily, waxy components of lipstick. As for toothpaste, especially the whitening kind, it’s a double whammy of bad news—it contains abrasives and bleaching agents that can easily damage fabric or strip its color.

When it comes to your clothes, it’s always better to stick with proven, reliable methods. A good solvent like rubbing alcohol or a trusted detergent is always a safer and more effective choice.

If you've tried everything and that stain just won't budge, or if it's on a delicate piece you can't risk ruining, don't sweat it. The pros at Columbia Pike Laundry have the right tools and deep expertise to handle even the most stubborn lipstick marks. We can give your clothes their best shot at a full recovery. Schedule a pickup today!