Although men do not wear lipstick, they end up with their fair share of lipstick smudges on their clothes, most notably collars. Lipstick is made from a waxy substance that absorbs and locks into threads in material. Soap and water alone does not remove a lipstick stain completely. More vigorous means are necessary to remove the marks from clothing. Work on a lipstick smear as soon as possible to keep it from permanently staining the fabric.
- Skill level:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things you need
- White paper towels or rags
- Rubbing alcohol
- Grease-cutting dish soap
- Hairspray
- Liquid laundry detergent
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1
Blot excess lipstick from the fabric with a white paper towel or clean, white rag. Avoid rubbing, and gently remove as much of the lipstick as possible without smearing it.
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2
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a white rag, and dab onto the lipstick stain. Gently lift the stain from the fabric. Start dabbing from the outside edges of the lipstick smudge and work inward.
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3
Place a tiny amount of grease-cutting dish soap onto the tip of your finger, and rub into any lingering lipstick stain on the fabric. Gently blot the stains and soap with a damp rag, removing them from the fabric.
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4
Saturate remaining lipstick stains with hairspray. Allow the spray to sit on the fabric for 10 minutes, then wipe with a white rag.
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5
Launder the fabric in cold water and liquid laundry detergent. Inspect the stain before allowing to dry, and repeat the washing process if the stain remains.
Tips and warnings
- Check the fabric care label before treating. If the care label indicates dry-clean only, take the fabric to a professional for stain removal.
