Lipstick looks great on lips, but if it ends up on clothes it's another story altogether. If your child has mistaken your shirt for a chalkboard or if your partner has inadvertently stained your collar while expressing her affection, the first thing to do is to examine the type of fabric to decide what is the best method for remove the stain. For this reason it is important to know how to evaluate the characteristics of both factors. It is also good to try to intervene as soon as possible to have a better chance of being able to remedy the damage without having to take the garment to the laundry.
Steps
Before you begin, read the information on the label sewn into the garment. If it can only be dry cleaned, take it to the laundry without trying to remove the stain around the house. The methods described below can effectively remove lipstick stains from most fabrics, however some delicate items may be damaged.
Method 1 of 4: Absorb the Stain
Remove a Lipstick Stain
Step 1. Spread the garment on a napkin, rag or paper towel, with the stain facing down
It is very important to intervene promptly as soon as you notice the presence of the stain. First, lay the garment on a paper towel, a sheet of absorbent paper or a clean rag; it has to be something you can throw away or you don't mind getting dirty. Remember that the lipstick stain must be facing down.
Make sure you choose a material with absorbent properties and that the underlying table or countertop is not vulnerable to stains. Using a piece of paper that is too thin or working on a light surface will risk the lipstick doing more damage
Step 2. Apply a cleaning solution to the opposite side of the stain
Take a liquid cleaner and pour it on the back of the stain. Penetrating into the fibers of the fabric it should push the lipstick towards the paper or rag. Conversely, if you tried to remove the stain by rubbing it from the outside you would end up making it penetrate even deeper into the fabric, so it would be counterproductive.
- You can choose between different types of detergents, based on the specific nature of the stain and the type of fabric. In general, each product has specific properties. In the second part of the article, the prerogatives of the following detergents will be examined:
- Dish soap;
- Acetone;
- Denatured alcohol;
- Ammonia;
- Commercial stain removers;
- Ingredients used as home stain removers, such as petroleum jelly and hair spray.
Step 3. Press the stained fabric with a second sheet of blotting paper
At this point, take another napkin, rag or sheet of kitchen paper (in this case you can also use something medium absorbent) and press it gently on the opposite side of the stain. This way you should be able to squeeze the cleanser (which will have trapped part of the lipstick) into the absorbent layer below, from which it will be absorbed.
As you press the paper or rag against the garment, check that the garment or the absorbent material underneath does not move, otherwise you risk spreading the stain
Step 4. Repeat the process as many times as needed, replacing the wet paper or rag
Continue soaking the stain with the cleaner and pressing the fabric from the inside until the lipstick becomes much less visible. Replace the paper or absorbent material whenever it feels saturated, or the cleaner will spread through the garment fabric (risking damaging it) or accumulate on the table or countertop below.
Step 5. When you are satisfied with the result, put the garment in the washing machine
After applying this method several times, the lipstick stain should have greatly reduced. At this point, it is best to put the garment in the washing machine to remove the excess detergent and also eliminate the last particles of lipstick.
For an excellent result, you can follow the instructions later in the article to pre-treat the garment before washing it in the washing machine
Select the Most Appropriate Detergent
Step 1. Dishwashing liquid is a good quick fix
Compared to other detergents, it guarantees a discreet result without creating damage. Mixed with water, it is useful for removing a wide variety of stains and can generally be used safely on most fabrics, making it very versatile. Above all it is a cheap product and easily available in any supermarket.
Step 2. Use a solvent such as acetone
Organic solvents (including acetone) can be a valuable resource when you need to remove a greasy substance like lipstick from a fabric, as they have the ability to break down many of the plastic compounds that give lipstick its typical texture. waxy (to demonstrate this property, dip a piece of polystyrene in acetone, it should melt instantly). Acetone does not damage natural fibers and can also be used safely on most synthetic fabrics; however it is good to be careful because it could discolor them.
Acetone is readily available in the form of a solvent to remove nail polish. If you want to use this type of product to remove the lipstick stain, choose the one with the highest percentage of pure acetone and make sure it does not contain dyes
Step 3. Use denatured alcohol
The common pink alcohol is another excellent solution, as it is also cheap and suitable for most fabrics. It is especially useful for removing stains from microfibre garments because, unlike other liquids, it does not penetrate through the fibers with the risk of making the stain permanent. However, note that, like acetone, it may discolor fabrics, so be very careful.
Although it is cheap, denatured alcohol is not available in all supermarkets. You may have to go to the pharmacy or hardware store to find it
Step 4. Use ammonia
It is famous for its cleaning properties, but also for its pungent and rather unpleasant smell, so it is best to use it only if you have the possibility to operate in a well-ventilated area. Also remember that ammonia can damage some fabrics, especially those used to make carpets and furniture coverings in the home. While your clothing is unlikely to contain this type of fiber, it is best to test ammonia on a small, hidden area of fabric before applying it directly to the stain. Basically what you have to do is look for a small part of fabric that is normally hidden from view, pour a few drops of ammonia over it, wait about twenty minutes and finally check if the fabric is damaged or discolored in any way.
- Also remember that ammonia can damage rough tiles and floors that have not been treated, so make sure your work surface is suitable before you begin.
- Whenever you use ammonia, it is very important to remember that it reacts on contact with bleach, releasing toxic fumes. Never use ammonia to clean a garment if you intend to add bleach to the machine wash cycle.
Step 5. Use one of the many commercially available stain removers
By visiting the area of any supermarket reserved for detergents, you will find a wide range of products for removing stains from fabrics. They may contain some of the substances analyzed so far (or completely different ingredients), so the usefulness and protection of the garments varies from product to product. In any case, before using any of these stain removers, carefully read the directions on the package so as not to contravene the warnings.
Step 6. Consider using a "natural stain remover"
You also have the option of using natural ingredients that you may already have in your pantry or bathroom cabinet. Each of these are useful for removing a wide variety of stains, including lipstick stains. In general, these natural stain removers are delicate and can be used on most fabrics without risking damaging them. Here is a list of the most commonly used ones:
- Distilled white vinegar (do not use red, balsamic or apple vinegar);
- Lemon juice;
- Bicarbonate;
- Eucalyptus oil;
- Citrus peel.
Method 2 of 4: Pretreat the Stain and Machine Wash the Garment
Step 1. Blot the stain with water
By pre-treating the fabric the right way, you'll get the washing machine to do most of the work. Start by dabbing the stained fabric with a damp rag to prepare it to absorb the detergent.
Do not rub water on the garment; as explained above, you risk spreading the stain
Step 2. Scrub the stained area gently using your favorite laundry detergent
Apply only a few drops directly to the stain. If you want to use a powder detergent, mix a small amount with a little water to make a medium-thick paste. Take a soft-bristled brush (or an old toothbrush) and scrub the soap into the stain.
- For a truly excellent result, it is best to rub the garment from the inside out,. This way you can be sure to push the lipstick out of the fabric rather than risk it penetrating even deeper.
- Make sure you use a product suitable for the fabric type of the stained garment. Check carefully the label sewn into it if you have any doubts.
Step 3. Let the detergent work
You need to give it time to soak into the fibers and start dissolving the stain. It should take about 10-15 minutes. While you wait, you can prepare the rest of the laundry to be machine washed.
Step 4. If possible, wash the garment with very hot water
Read the label and set the washing machine to the highest temperature allowed by the washing instructions. Place the garment in the washing machine along with the rest of the laundry. As a general rule, hot water and a high-intensity cycle are more effective than cold water and a program reserved for delicates, so use the highest temperature and most powerful cycle allowed by the directions on the label.
Several experts state that it is safe to wash a lipstick-stained garment along with other garments, as long as the excess product has been removed. If you are concerned that the color of the lipstick will stain the rest of the laundry, you can wash the soiled garment separately
Step 5. Dry the garment or repeat the process if necessary
Once the cycle is complete, take the garment out of the washing machine and inspect it closely. If the stain is still fully visible, you may have to repeat the steps from the beginning: pre-treating and then washing the garment again until it is clean again. When you are satisfied with the result, dry it as usual.
If the sun is shining outside, you can put it to dry outdoors. The sun's rays are known to have the ability to lighten spots. However, remember that colors may fade in the long run as well
Method 3 of 4: Using Vaseline
Step 1. Dab the stain with some petroleum jelly
Believe it or not it can be a powerful stain remover if the substance in question is lipstick. Using petroleum jelly to remove it from a garment is easy, start by dabbing a few drops on the stain with your fingers.
Apply petroleum jelly within the confines of the lipstick stain because, in excessive quantities, it is difficult to remove from the fibers. If after the work is finished you notice that the petroleum jelly has left a halo on the garment, remove it with denatured alcohol
Step 2. Wash the garment in the washing machine as usual
Without removing the petroleum jelly from the stain, put the garment in the washing machine along with the rest of the laundry. Choose the same program you usually use for that kind of garments (check the labels if you have any doubts) and wait for the cycle to finish.
Step 3. When finished, inspect the stain and also use one of the other methods if necessary
After washing, the stain should be almost completely gone. If you still have lipstick residue, consider repeating these same steps or using one of the other methods described in this article to get the garment back perfectly clean.
Method 4 of 4: Using Hairspray
Step 1. Spray a generous amount of hairspray directly onto the stain
In the past, this grandmother's remedy was a favorite of fashionable young women, but nowadays it is within everyone's reach. All you need is a common hair spray; most of the products on the market can be used as a stain remover in case of need. First spray a generous amount directly onto the lipstick stain until the fabric is completely saturated.
Remember that this method is most effective if the stain is fresh, as the lipstick will not have had time to soak into the fibers. If, on the other hand, the stain is not recent, the result may not be optimal
Step 2. Let the hairspray sit for 10-15 minutes
It must have time to soak the fibers and dissolve the lipstick. A quarter of an hour of waiting should be enough.
Step 3. Blot excess liquid
Take a sheet of blotting paper or a clean rag and press it repeatedly against the fabric to absorb the moisture transmitted by the lacquer. Keep blotting until the paper or rag absorbs more liquid.
As seen above, it is important to dab the fabric, rather than rubbing, to avoid the risk of spreading the stain, especially now that the lipstick is partially liquefied
Step 4. Wash the garment in the washing machine as usual
At this point, if there is still some lipstick residue left, you can rely on laundry detergent and a machine wash cycle to get your garment back perfectly clean. When finished, put it to dry as you normally do.
Consider pre-treating the stain as described above to amplify the power of the washing machine wash cycle
Advice
- As is the case with many other stains, when dealing with lipstick, the chances of being able to get the garment back as good as new are increased if you intervene immediately. If the stain has time to set on the fabric, it becomes more difficult to remove.
- Most lipsticks contain three main ingredients: waxes, oils and pigments. In general, solvents are a valuable aid in dissolving waxes, while degreasers and detergents are more suitable for removing oils. Finally, the pigments that remain after using one of these products may require the use of a special powder with an oxidizing action. For very stubborn stains, try using more than one product at different times.
- If you have stained yourself on the go, consider stopping by a grocery store to buy an instant-acting stain remover, such as a pen. They are effective and comfortable to use.
Warnings
- You can use detergents that contain bleach only on whites. By using them on colored garments you risk that some parts will be faded.
- Be cautious when using acetone or denatured alcohol; these are easily flammable substances, so do not smoke and do not use them near open flames.
