How to Remove Lipstick Stains
Lipstick stains tend to be fairly stubborn, but if you follow these simple steps, you have a great chance of removing them.
- Start by wetting a cloth with cold water and lightly blotting the stain. Cosmetics contain a good amount of oil and the last thing you want to do is rub it in deeper.
- Next, place the stained area in cold water and let it soak for a few minutes. If you are out of the house, try to keep the stain wet until you can treat it at home.
- If you still see a remnant of the stain, apply a mild detergent. You may have to rub a bit at this point, but be gentle so you don’t damage the fabric or push the stain further into your garment.
- Your next step in lipstick stain removal is to apply a pre-treatment of stain remover. Let it rest for about 10 minutes, but don't let it dry.
- Place the item in the regular wash cycle, but don't put it into the dryer. Allow the item to air dry until you are certain the stain has been removed.
For a particularly stubborn stain, try blotting it with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. Hairspray can also serve as a good stain remover.
Removing Stains from Dryers and Carpets
Are you one of those lucky people who have had a whole tube of lipstick start melting in your dryer?
My advice in this case - after you scream - is to use a cloth to wipe off as much of the lipstick as possible.
Next, unplug the dryer, let it cool, and apply rubbing alcohol with a cloth. Follow up with bleach, if necessary.
Do you have a stain in the carpet? What a mess! Treat it with alcohol or ammonia as described above, but experiment on a hidden area first to make sure this treatment is safe for your carpet.
