How to Remove Lipstick From Fabric

Remove lipstick from fabric with rubbing alcohol.

Although men do not wear lipstick, they end up with their fair share of lipstick smudges on their clothes, most notably collars. Lipstick is made from a waxy substance that absorbs and locks into threads in material. Soap and water alone does not remove a lipstick stain completely. More vigorous means are necessary to remove the marks from clothing. Work on a lipstick smear as soon as possible to keep it from permanently staining the fabric.

Things You'll Need

• White paper towels or rags
• Rubbing alcohol
• Grease-cutting dish soap
• Hairspray
• Liquid laundry detergent

Instructions

1. Blot excess lipstick from the fabric with a white paper towel or clean, white rag. Avoid rubbing, and gently remove as much of the lipstick as possible without smearing it.

2. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a white rag, and dab onto the lipstick stain. Gently lift the stain from the fabric. Start dabbing from the outside edges of the lipstick smudge and work inward.

3. Place a tiny amount of grease-cutting dish soap onto the tip of your finger, and rub into any lingering lipstick stain on the fabric. Gently blot the stains and soap with a damp rag, removing them from the fabric.

4. Saturate remaining lipstick stains with hairspray. Allow the spray to sit on the fabric for 10 minutes, then wipe with a white rag.

5. Launder the fabric in cold water and liquid laundry detergent. Inspect the stain before allowing to dry, and repeat the washing process if the stain remains.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the fabric care label before treating. If the care label indicates dry-clean only, take the fabric to a professional for stain removal.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: Removing Lipstick Stains
• Ask Men: How to Remove Lipstick Stains