How to Get Lipstick Out of Fabric Without Damaging It

You got lipstick on your clothes, upholstery, or carpet. The waxy, oily stain seems impossible to remove. But lipstick can be removed from most washable fabrics. Lipstick is a combination stain: wax, oil, and pigment. The key is breaking down all three components. Here’s how to get lipstick out of fabric without damage.

Lipstick on fabric is a combination stain caused by wax, oil, and pigment bonding with fabric fibers. Lipstick contains waxes (for shape), oils (for smoothness), and pigments (for color). Removing lipstick requires breaking down the wax and oil first, then removing the pigment.

To get lipstick out of fabric, scrape off excess lipstick, apply dish soap to break down the wax and oil, blot with a clean cloth, apply rubbing alcohol for the pigment, wash with enzyme detergent in warm water, and check before drying. For stubborn stains, use OxiClean. Don’t rub, don’t use hot water on the stain, and don’t put lipstick-stained fabric in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Lipstick from Washable Fabric

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess Lipstick

Use a dull edge (butter knife or credit card) to scrape off excess lipstick. Don’t rub.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. The surfactants in dish soap break down the wax and oil in lipstick.

Step 3: Let It Sit for 10 Minutes

Step 4: Blot

Blot with a clean cloth. The lipstick will transfer to the cloth. Move to a clean section of cloth as the lipstick transfers.

Step 5: Apply Rubbing Alcohol (For the Pigment)

Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Dab it on the stain. The alcohol breaks down the pigment. Test on a hidden area first.

Step 6: Blot Again

Blot with a clean cloth. The remaining pigment will transfer.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean (For Stubborn Stains)

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 10 minutes. The enzymes break down the remaining stain.

Step 8: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda for extra cleaning.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

Check the stain before putting the fabric in the dryer. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put lipstick-stained fabric in the dryer.

Alternative Methods

Method: Hairspray (For Fresh Stains)

Step 1: Spray alcohol-based hairspray on the stain. The alcohol breaks down the lipstick.

Step 2: Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Blot with a clean cloth.

Step 4: Wash with enzyme detergent.

Method: Amodex (For Stubborn Stains)

Step 1: Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover to the stain.

Step 2: Work it in gently.

Step 3: Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Wash with enzyme detergent in warm water.

Method: WD-40 (For Very Stubborn Stains)

Step 1: Spray a small amount of WD-40 on the stain. The WD-40 reactivates the oils in the lipstick, making them easier to remove.

Step 2: Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Apply dish soap. Apply Dawn dish soap to break down the WD-40 and the lipstick.

Step 4: Wash in warm water.

Note: Test WD-40 on a hidden area first. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

Lipstick on Different Fabrics

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
White cotton	Dish soap + rubbing alcohol + oxygen bleach	Chlorine bleach on colors
Colored cotton	Dish soap + rubbing alcohol + OxiClean	Chlorine bleach
Polyester	Dish soap + rubbing alcohol	Acetone
Denim	Dish soap + OxiClean	Acetone
Upholstery	Dish soap + blot + rubbing alcohol	Soaking
Carpet	Dish soap + blot + rubbing alcohol	Rubbing
Silk	Professional cleaning	All home treatments
Wool	Professional cleaning	All home treatments

What Not to Do

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the lipstick and drives it deeper into the fibers. Press gently.

Don’t use hot water on the stain. Hot water can melt the wax and spread the stain. Use warm water for washing.

Don’t put lipstick-stained fabric in the dryer. Dryer heat can set the stain permanently. Always air dry and check first.

Don’t use acetone on synthetics. Acetone dissolves polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colors. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach instead.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps the stain.

Don’t wait too long. Fresh lipstick stains are easier to remove than dried ones.

FAQ

How do you get lipstick out of fabric? Scrape off excess, apply Dawn dish soap to break down the wax and oil, blot, apply rubbing alcohol for the pigment, blot again, spray with OxiClean for stubborn stains, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

Does dish soap remove lipstick from fabric? Yes, for the wax and oil components. Dawn dish soap breaks down the wax and oil in lipstick. Apply it to the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, blot, then treat the pigment with rubbing alcohol.

Does rubbing alcohol remove lipstick from fabric? Yes, for the pigment. Rubbing alcohol breaks down the pigments in lipstick. Apply it with a cotton ball after treating with dish soap, blot, and wash. Test on a hidden area first.

Can you put lipstick-stained fabric in the dryer? Don’t put lipstick-stained fabric in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. Dryer heat can set the stain permanently. Always air dry and check first.

Does OxiClean remove lipstick from fabric? Yes. OxiClean Max Force Spray contains enzymes that break down the remaining stain. Spray it on the stain after treating with dish soap and rubbing alcohol, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash with enzyme detergent.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Lipstick from Fabric.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Lipstick Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Makeup Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Solutions Guide.” oxiclean.com.