How to remove lipstick & makeup stains
Most makeup is oil-based — cut it with a degreaser or solvent, and don't rub.
- Difficulty:
- moderate
- Water:
- Warm as the label allows.
Step by step
- Lift off excess without smearing. Don't rub.
- Dab with dish soap, a dedicated makeup remover, or rubbing alcohol to break down the oils (test first).
- Blot, rinse, and launder warm as the label allows; air-dry and check.
Do
- ✓ Cut oil with dish soap or a solvent
- ✓ Test any solvent on a hidden area
Don’t
- ✗ Don't rub — it spreads the pigment
- ✗ Don't dry until gone
Before you start
- • Act fast. Fresh stains lift far more easily than ones that have set.
- • Blot, don't rub — rubbing drives the stain deeper and frays the fibers. Work from the back of the fabric to push it out the way it came in.
- • Check the care label first. Never exceed the garment's maximum temperature; if it says wash cold or dry-clean only, follow it.
- • Test any treatment (oxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, vinegar) on a hidden seam first — some can strip color.
- • Never tumble-dry until the stain is completely gone. Dryer heat sets most stains permanently — air-dry and check, then re-treat if needed.
Guidance follows American Cleaning Institute — cleaning tips . Always defer to the garment’s own care label.