How to Remove Lipstick from Clothes

Lipstick Stains: A Two-Part Problem

Lipstick is a combination of wax, oil, and pigment — which means it's both a grease stain and a dye stain. You need to tackle both components: first dissolve the waxy oil base, then lift the remaining pigment. Here's how to do it effectively.

What You'll Need

• 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
• Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
• Carbona Liquid Stain Devils
• OxiClean White Revive Power Paks (for white fabrics)
• Microfiber cloths
• Cotton balls
• Soft brush or old toothbrush

Step-by-Step: Fresh Lipstick on Clothes

1. Scrape off excess lipstick first. Use the edge of a spoon or dull knife to gently lift any solid lipstick from the fabric. Don't rub — you'll push it deeper into the fibers.
2. Apply isopropyl alcohol. Dab 99% Isopropyl Alcohol onto the stain with a cotton ball to dissolve the waxy base. Work from the outside in. Blot — don't rub.
3. Apply Dawn dish soap. Put a few drops of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly onto the stain to cut through the oil component. Work in gently with a soft brush and let sit 5 minutes.
4. Apply Carbona Stain Devils for the pigment. Carbona Liquid Stain Devils targets the dye component of lipstick. Apply and let sit 10 minutes.
5. Rinse with cold water. Check if the stain has lifted.
6. Machine wash cold. For white fabrics, add an OxiClean White Revive Power Pak. Check before drying.

For Dried Lipstick Stains

1. Scrape off any dried residue with a spoon.
2. Apply isopropyl alcohol and let soak for 2–3 minutes to soften the dried wax.
3. Follow with Dawn dish soap and Carbona Stain Devils as above.
4. Machine wash cold and check before drying.

Tips for Different Fabric Types

• Cotton: Full method works perfectly
• Silk/delicates: Use alcohol and Dawn very sparingly; hand wash gently
• White fabric: Follow with OxiClean White Revive soak for best results
• Dark fabric: Test alcohol on hidden area first to check for color fastness

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does lipstick stain so badly?

Lipstick contains wax, oils, and synthetic dyes — a triple combination that bonds to fabric fibers. The wax and oil need a degreaser like Dawn, while the pigment needs an enzyme cleaner like Carbona Stain Devils.

Does hairspray remove lipstick stains?

Old-style hairsprays contained enough alcohol to work, but modern formulas don't. Use isopropyl alcohol directly — it's more effective and won't leave sticky residue.

Can I remove lipstick from dry-clean-only fabric?

For dry-clean-only items, blot gently with a dry cloth to remove excess, then take to a professional dry cleaner as soon as possible. Don't apply water or alcohol to dry-clean-only fabrics.