How to Get Lipstick Stains Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got lipstick on your shirt collar while getting dressed. Or your kid got into your makeup and smeared lipstick on their clothes. Lipstick is an oil-based stain with waxes, oils, and pigments that bond with fabric fibers. It seems permanent, but it can be removed with the right products. The key is breaking down the oils and waxes first, then removing the pigment. Here’s how to get lipstick stains out of clothes.

Lipstick stains on clothes are oil-based marks caused by waxes, oils, and pigments that bond with fabric fibers. Removing lipstick requires breaking down the oils and waxes with a surfactant (dish soap) or solvent (rubbing alcohol), then removing the pigment with a stain remover. Lipstick is harder to remove than most stains because of the wax content.

To get lipstick stains out of clothes, scrape off excess lipstick, apply dish soap to break down the oils, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water, then wash with enzyme detergent. For stubborn stains, use rubbing alcohol or OxiClean. Don’t use hot water before treating, don’t rub, and don’t put the garment in the dryer.

For Fresh Lipstick Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

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

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly to the stain. Dish soap breaks down the oils and waxes in lipstick.

Step 3: Work It In Gently

Press the dish soap into the stain with your fingers. Don’t rub.

Step 4: Let It Sit for 10 Minutes

Step 5: Rinse with Warm Water from the Back

Hold the stained area under warm running water from the back of the fabric.

Step 6: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Check before drying.

For Set-In Lipstick Stains

Method 1: Rubbing Alcohol

Step 1: Apply rubbing alcohol. Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Dab onto the stain.

Step 2: Let it sit for 10 minutes. The alcohol dissolves the oils and waxes.

Step 3: Blot. Blot with a clean cloth. The lipstick transfers to the cloth.

Step 4: Repeat. Move to a clean area and repeat until the stain fades.

Step 5: Apply dish soap and wash.

Method 2: OxiClean Max Force Spray

OxiClean Max Force Spray contains enzymes that break down oil-based stains.

Step 1: Spray the stain. Spray until saturated.

Step 2: Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Wash in warm water. Wash with enzyme detergent.

Method 3: Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam is formulated for oil-based stains.

Step 1: Spray the stain.

Step 2: Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Wash in warm water.

Method 4: Baking Soda for Wet Lipstick

Step 1: Sprinkle baking soda. Sprinkle Arm and Hammer Baking Soda on the wet lipstick to absorb the oils.

Step 2: Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Brush off.

Step 4: Apply dish soap and wash.

Method 5: Hairspray (For Light Stains)

Step 1: Spray hairspray on the stain. The alcohol in hairspray can break down lipstick.

Step 2: Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Blot.

Step 4: Wash.

Lipstick on Different Fabrics

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
Cotton	Dish soap, rubbing alcohol, OxiClean	Hot water before treatment
Polyester	Dish soap, rubbing alcohol	Acetone
Denim	Dish soap, OxiClean	Hot water
White cotton	Dish soap + oxygen bleach	Chlorine bleach on colored
Silk	Professional cleaning	Dish soap, OxiClean
Wool	Professional cleaning	Dish soap, OxiClean
Upholstery	Rubbing alcohol, blot	Soaking, rubbing

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water before treating. Hot water can melt the wax deeper into the fabric. Use warm water after treating.

Don’t rub. Rubbing spreads the lipstick. Blot or press gently.

Don’t put the garment in the dryer. Dryer heat sets lipstick permanently. Always air dry and check first.

Don’t use acetone on synthetics. Acetone dissolves some synthetic fibers.

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

Don’t wash with other clothes. Lipstick can transfer to other garments.

FAQ

How do you get lipstick stains out of clothes? Scrape off excess lipstick, apply Dawn dish soap to break down the oils, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water from the back, then wash with enzyme detergent. For stubborn stains, use rubbing alcohol or OxiClean Max Force Spray.

Does dish soap remove lipstick from clothes? Yes. Dish soap contains surfactants that break down the oils and waxes in lipstick. Apply it full strength to the stain, work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wash.

Does rubbing alcohol remove lipstick from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol dissolves the oils and waxes in lipstick. Apply it with a cotton ball, let it sit for 10 minutes, blot, then apply dish soap and wash.

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

How do you remove set-in lipstick stains from clothes? Apply rubbing alcohol, let it sit for 10 minutes, blot, apply dish soap, and wash. For stubborn stains, use OxiClean Max Force Spray or Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Lipstick from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Get Lipstick Out of Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Lipstick Stain Removal Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.