How to Remove Lipstick From a White Blouse

Lipstick is an oil based product.

A lipstick stain on a white blouse doesn't mean the end of your garment. Lipstick is a stain that must be treated properly. Water and heat can actually worsen the stain and cause it to spread. If you use the correct cleaning methods and products, you can remove most lipstick stains from white blouses when you treat the stain promptly.

Things You'll Need

• Blunt knife or credit card
• Hairspray
• Washcloth
• Liquid dish soap
• Pre-wash stain remover

Instructions

1. Scrape off any excess lipstick with a blunt knife or the edge of an old credit card.

2. Spray hairspray onto the stain and let it sit for 2 minutes.

3. Wipe off the hairspray and the lipstick with a clean, dry cloth.

4. Squirt liquid dish soap directly onto the stain and work the fabric together.

5. Launder the blouse according to its directions.

6. Inspect the blouse once you have laundered it to see if the stain is completely gone. Do not dry it if you still see remnants of the lipstick. Follow the stain removal procedures again, which should take care of the stain. Once the stain has disappeared after washing the blouse in the washing machine, you can safely dry the blouse (as long as the fabric directions say that it is safe to do so).

Tips & Warnings

• If a blouse is dry-clean only, take it to a dry cleaner for stain removal.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster -- Lipstick
• Mrs. Clean: Tips On Removing Lipstick Stains