HOW TO GET LIPSTICK OUT OF CLOTHES IN 7 STEPS

Always check your clothing’s care label for any specific requirements like dry cleaning—as the following method is recommended for machine-washable clothes only. Before treating the stain, check the garment's care label for hot, warm or cold water temperature recommendations.

Use a dull knife or credit card to lift off any excess lipstick. Gently scrape the surface of the fabric, making sure not to rub or push the lipstick deeper into the fabric.

If both sides of the fabric are accessible, apply the dish soap to the front and back of the stain without water. Do not rub or scrub the stain. Let the dish soap sit for about 30 minutes.

Laundry detergent or pre-wash stain remover can be used in place of dish soap, but they may not have the same grease-fighting capabilities, which helps give dish soap a leg up on fighting the oils in lipstick.

Mix a drop of liquid dish soap and a few cups of the warmest water recommended on the garment's care tag in a glass or plastic bowl or bucket. Soak the item for at least an hour. The longer the soak, the better your chances of success. If you can, an overnight soak is ideal for lipstick stain removal.

When the stain is done soaking, gently scrub it with a soft-bristle toothbrush, working from the outside in to prevent spreading. Remove as much of the stain as possible and be sure to fully remove the soap by rinsing thoroughly before putting the item in the washing machine. Dish soap in the washing machine creates excess suds and can cause an overflow.

Machine wash the item using the warmest water recommended on the care tag. Use any products in your stain-fighting arsenal, like oxygen bleach or laundry detergent containing stain removers. If you don’t have either of these, add ½ cup of baking soda to the load.

Line dry the item, as heat from a dryer will set any stain left behind that you can’t see while the fabric is wet. Inspect the item after it dries. If the lipstick stain persists, repeat steps 1–7 as many times as needed until the stain is completely gone. If you can't get the stain out, take it to a dry cleaner.

When you have a lipstick stain on your clothes, especially if it is new and has not soaked into the fabric, using an oil-free, non-flammable makeup remover can help remove it. Simply dab the stain with makeup remover wipes before you place it in the washing machine.

If you’re hand washing your garment, you can use isopropyl alcohol to spot treat a lipstick stain. Flush the stain with rubbing alcohol and gently dab the stain with a clean cloth. Repeat until the color is removed, then rinse thoroughly and let it air dry.

You should never apply rubbing alcohol to clothing that you plan to place in the washer or dryer, as this product is flammable.

You may be able to use common household items like distilled white vinegar and baking soda to help remove lipstick stains from your clothing. Apply the baking soda onto the stain and gently rub it in using a toothbrush, then add a few drops of vinegar to the spot and dab gently with a cotton ball.

Rinse thoroughly, then hand or machine wash your garment.

Toothpaste may also help remove red lipstick stains from your fabrics. Apply the toothpaste to the stained area, then rinse the area with cool water. Repeat as needed.

If recommended by your item’s laundry care label, you can use color-safe bleach to help remove lipstick stains from your clothes. Add the bleach to your washing machine following the package’s instructions.