How to Remove Lipstick Stains From Clothing

For washable clothing, gently lift off excess lipstick, pretreat the mark with a fabric-safe laundry stain remover or liquid detergent suitable for pretreating, then wash according to the care label. Check the stain before drying: dryer heat can make a remaining mark much harder to remove.

For dry-clean-only garments, take the item to a professional cleaner rather than experimenting with household remedies. There isn’t one treatment that’s suitable for every fabric, dye, and lipstick formula.

Check the garment before treating the stain

Read both the clothing care label and the cleaning product’s directions. A washable cotton shirt can tolerate a different treatment from a silk blouse or a garment with delicate trim. Satin and lace describe fabric construction rather than a single fiber, so check the fiber content as well.

Test the chosen product on a hidden seam or hem before applying it to the visible stain. Follow its testing instructions and check for color loss, a ring, or a change in texture. Stop if the test affects the fabric.

You’ll need a spoon or other blunt edge, a clean white cloth, and an appropriate laundry pretreatment product. You don’t need special cleaning equipment to begin.

How to remove lipstick from washable clothes

1. Lift off excess lipstick

Use the edge of a spoon to gently lift any lipstick sitting on the surface. Avoid dragging it across clean fabric or pressing it farther into the fibers. For a thin smear, blot lightly with a clean white cloth instead of scrubbing.

Tide’s makeup-stain guidance recommends removing excess makeup before pretreating. Lipstick’s oily ingredients and strong color are reasons a quick rinse alone may not be enough.

2. Pretreat the mark

Apply a laundry stain remover approved for the fabric, or a liquid laundry detergent whose directions allow direct pretreatment. Cover the stained area and follow the product’s instructions for working it in and how long to leave it.

Don’t substitute a longer soak for the stated treatment time. Products differ, and some fabrics or dyes have restrictions. Avoid aggressive brushing, especially on lightweight or delicate clothing.

3. Wash as the care label allows

Use the appropriate detergent dose and wash cycle. The American Cleaning Institute recommends pretreating lipstick stains and washing in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If the garment requires cold water or hand washing, follow that restriction.

4. Inspect before drying

Look closely at the area after washing. If color or a greasy mark remains, repeat the permitted pretreatment and wash process. The American Cleaning Institute notes that lipstick may need a second round of treatment.

Don’t put the garment in the dryer while the stain remains. If you’re unsure whether it’s gone, let the item air-dry according to its care label and inspect it again before using heat. Avoid ironing over the mark, too.

What if the lipstick has already dried or gone through the dryer?

Try the same fabric-safe pretreatment and washing process, but keep expectations realistic. An older stain may take more than one attempt, and a heat-set stain may not come out completely.

Check whether each treatment is making progress. If the mark is fading and the fabric is unchanged, another treatment within the product’s directions may be reasonable. If the fabric starts losing color, developing a ring, or changing texture, stop.

For a valuable garment or a persistent stain, ask a professional cleaner to assess it. Tell them whether it has been washed, machine-dried, ironed, or treated with another product. Those details help them decide what to try next.

Take extra care with silk, wool, and delicate garments

Don’t assume that a stain remover labeled for washable clothes is suitable for silk or wool. Check for explicit fabric compatibility and follow the garment’s care instructions.

For dry-clean-only clothing, gently lift loose surface lipstick if you can do so without pulling the fabric, then leave further treatment to a cleaner. Point out the stain and identify it as lipstick when you drop the item off.

Washable delicates still need an appropriate product and gentle handling. Avoid scrubbing lace, rubbing a satin surface, or soaking embellishments unless the care instructions permit it. If the label is missing or you’re unsure what the fabric can tolerate, professional advice is preferable to trying several products in succession.

Should you use hairspray, hand sanitizer, or rubbing alcohol?

Start with a laundry product intended for the job. Hairspray and hand sanitizer are not interchangeable with rubbing alcohol, and their formulas vary. Their presence in your bathroom doesn’t establish that they’re suitable for your garment.

Only use a solvent treatment when the garment or cleaning-product manufacturer provides instructions that support it for that fabric. A hidden-area test still matters. Avoid layering household remedies or mixing cleaning products to make a stronger treatment.

If you’re away from home, gently remove excess lipstick and avoid rubbing the spot. Use a portable stain treatment only if its label permits use on the fabric and the stain type; otherwise, wait until you can treat the garment properly.

Can you use bleach on a remaining lipstick mark?

Only if both the garment’s care label and the bleach product’s instructions allow it. White clothing is not automatically bleach-safe, and a product described as color-safe still has fabric exclusions.

Check the permitted dilution, treatment time, and fiber types before using any bleach product. If those instructions don’t clearly cover your garment, skip it and ask a cleaner about the remaining stain.

Prevent the next lipstick transfer

• Get dressed before applying lipstick. This keeps collars and necklines away from freshly applied color.
• Remove lipstick before pulling a close-fitting top over your head. Take extra care with pale fabrics and narrow neck openings.
• Follow the lipstick’s application directions. If the formula calls for setting time, give it that time before clothing touches your lips. Blot excess lipstick when appropriate for the product.
• Check pockets before washing. Remove lipstick tubes and other cosmetics before they enter the laundry.

If another smudge happens, focus on the basics: check the fabric, lift the excess, pretreat, wash, and inspect before drying. Acting carefully is more useful than reaching for the strongest product available.