Removing Lipstick Stains: The Complete Guide

Hey there! If you‘re anything like me, you‘ve dealt with the headache of lipstick stains on clothes, glasses, and who knows where else. I‘ve tried scrubbing away only to make it worse, so I know how frustrating it can be. But don‘t worry, we‘ll get through this together!

I‘ve put together this complete guide on how to banish those pesky lipstick stains for good. With the right techniques and solutions, you can erase any evidence of those lipstick smears and have your home looking picture perfect again.

What Makes Lipstick So Difficult to Remove

Before we dive into removal methods, it helps to understand exactly why lipstick stains can be so stubborn.

Lipstick contains:

Waxes – Often beeswax or carnauba wax, these help reinforce the structure of lipstick so it glides on smoothly. But waxes also make lipstick cling to surfaces.
Oils – Ingredients like mineral oil, lanolin, and others keep lipstick moisturizing. But the oils soak into materials, leaving greasy stains.
Pigments – These provide rich, vivid color. Unfortunately, pigments tend to grab onto fibers and lodge into scratches or pores.

This combination penetrates into the surface rather than sitting on top. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, over two-thirds of lipstick composition is oil. No wonder it seeps in and stains so easily!

Preventing Lipstick Stains in the First Place

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some simple tips to avoid lipstick stains from the start:

Use lip liner – Outlining lips first keeps color inside the lines and prevents bleeding or feathering.
Blot lips – Press lips gently on a tissue after applying lipstick to soak up excess. This removes extra product before it can transfer.
Apply carefully – Take care applying lipstick, especially dark bold shades, to avoid smearing. Use a mirror and stay inside lip lines.
Use a straw – Drinking from glasses without a straw smudges lipstick on the rim. Straws reduce contact.
Use tablecloths and coasters – Extra barriers help catch any smudges before they hit tabletops or furniture.
Clean spills quickly – Attend to any smears or spills right away so lipstick doesn‘t have time to set into the surface.

Removing Lipstick from Glass

Let‘s start with glass surfaces like mirrors, windows, drinking glasses, and tabletops. Luckily, the smooth nonporous surface of glass makes it easier to clean than more absorbent materials.

Here‘s how to remove lipstick from glass step-by-step:

Supplies You‘ll Need

Dish soap or glass cleaner
Baking soda
White vinegar
Soft sponge or microfiber cloth

Step 1: Make a Cleaning Solution

You can either use dish soap or a vinegar-based glass cleaner.

For dish soap, mix:

2 tbsp dish soap
2 cups warm water

For a vinegar solution, mix:

1 part white vinegar
1 part warm water

Step 2: Apply the Solution

Use a sponge, soft cloth, or paper towel to wipe the solution over the stained area. Ensure you cover all of the lipstick.

Step 3: Let It Sit

Allow the solution to sit for 5-10 minutes. This gives the cleaning agents time to work at dissolving the oils and pigment.

Step 4: Gently Scrub

Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the stained area, lifting away the lipstick. It should come away easily.

Step 5: Rinse

Wash the area with clean water to rinse away any soapy residue. Check that all lipstick and cleaning solution is gone.

For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process a few times. Just take care not to scrub too aggressively or you could scratch the glass.

Removing Lipstick from Porcelain and Ceramic

Lipstick stains on dishes, sinks, bathtubs, and tiles call for a more delicate approach. Here are some tips:

For light stains, make a paste from baking soda and water and gently scrub. The mild abrasiveness lifts surface stains without scratching.
For heavier stains, apply undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves lipstick oils.
Use a soft brush or toothbrush to work the paste into stains and grout. Avoid abrasive scouring powders.
Always do a test spot first as vinegar may lighten some tile colors and grout over time.
Rinse surfaces thoroughly after cleaning to remove all vinegar or baking soda residue.

Removing Lipstick from Carpet

Lipstick on carpets and rugs can be tricky. Aggressive scrubbing pushes stains deeper into fibers. Follow these steps instead:

What You‘ll Need

Dish soap
White vinegar
Warm water
Clean cloths or paper towels
Carpet cleaner (optional)

Step 1: Blot Excess Lipstick

Gently blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel. Press – don‘t rub – to lift sticky lipstick from fibers.

Step 2: Apply Dish Soap

Mix a small amount of dish soap with warm water and apply it directly to the stain. This helps break up oils.

Step 3: Blot Again

Use a fresh section of cloth to blot and absorb the stain repeatedly.

Step 4: Vinegar Rinse

Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Apply this to the stain and blot again with cloth. The vinegar will help lift pigments.

Step 5: Repeat as Needed

Reapply dish soap and vinegar solutions and blot until no more color transfers to the cloth. This may take several applications.

For older or heavier stains, use a small amount of carpet cleaner according to directions. Always test cleaners first in an inconspicuous spot.

Removing Lipstick from Clothes and Other Fabrics

Lipstick on clothing, towels, bedding or upholstery needs special care. Here are some tips to remove stains and avoid permanent damage:

Act quickly on fresh stains – they lift out much easier before setting in.
Gently dab the stain with a tissue or cloth rather than rubbing it in deeper.
Apply a liquid stain remover like Shout or OxiClean and let it soak 5-10 minutes to loosen pigment.
Use dish soap and warm water to pretreat the stain before washing. Dish soap emulsifies greasy lipstick oils.
Wash items in the washing machine using cold water on a delicate cycle. Hot water can set stains.
Avoid putting items in the dryer until stains are fully removed as heat can seal in stains.
For delicate fabrics like silks and wools, opt for professional dry cleaning to safely remove stains.
For tough stains, try hydrogen peroxide to lift out pigments. Always test peroxide on an inconspicuous area first to check for lightening or damage.

Removing Lipstick from Skin and Lips

Lipstick often winds up smeared across our cheeks or teeth. Not to worry – it comes off skin gently with the right product:

Use a liquid makeup remover wipe or apply eye makeup remover to a cotton pad. Hold against lips for a few seconds before gently wiping away lip color.
Avoid scrubbing or tugging at delicate facial skin. Work in a gentle rolling motion instead.
Follow up by washing the face with a soft cloth, warm water, and gentle soap to remove residue. Avoid harsh scrubbing.
Apply a hydrating lip balm afterward if lips feel dry or irritated.

For removing lipstick directly from the lips, oil-based products work great:

Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to lips and gently wipe away with a tissue. The oil in the jelly binds to lipstick oils and pigments.
Use an oil-based lip balm before applying lipstick to smooth on color and make removal easier later on.
Other oils like coconut, olive, and mineral oil can help dissolve lipstick off the lips and skin when used sparingly. Avoid getting oils on clothes as they can leave grease stains.

Dealing With Stubborn Lipstick Stains

Pesky lipstick stains that won‘t budge with regular cleaning may need extra measures. Here are some heavy duty stain removal options:

Rubbing alcohol – The solvent properties help dissolve stubborn waxy lipstick stains. Use sparingly and rinse surfaces after.
Baby oil – Contains mineral oil to help emulsify lipstick oils.
Hydrogen peroxide – Can lift out deeply embedded pigment stains through oxidation. Always test first as high concentrations may bleach some dyes and fabrics.
Heated vinegar – Microwave vinegar for 30 seconds until warm. Apply to old lipstick stains and blot repeatedly with a cloth. The acetic acid cuts through buildup.
Nail polish remover – The acetone can dissolve lipstick, especially on nonporous surfaces. Use acetone-free formulas and test on an inconspicuous spot first.
Dull knife – Gently scrape off thick, dried lipstick buildup before attempting to clean the area. Avoid sharp blades that could scratch.

No matter the surface, always do a spot test first and take care using harsh chemicals that could potentially damage materials. Patience and persistence are key for challenging lipstick stains!

Preventing Future Lipstick Stains

The best way to handle stains is to avoid them in the first place with smart preventive steps:

Apply a protective barrier of petroleum jelly to glasses and mugs before use to prevent transferring lipstick.
Use tablecloths, placemats, coasters and runners under glasses and dishes. These help prevent stains from setting into furniture.
Clean up spills, drips, and smears immediately to stop stains before they set. Keeping stain remover wipes or oil handy allows you to treat spots quickly.
Store lipsticks capped tightly and upright to prevent leaks and messes. Discard old dried out lipsticks.
Perfect your lipstick application. Use lip liners and mirrors to stay inside your lip lines and blot to remove excess.

Let‘s Review: Key Takeaways

Act fast on fresh stains – the quicker you start cleaning, the easier removal will be.
Always test removal solutions in an inconspicuous spot first to check for damage.
Avoid excessive rubbing or scrubbing as this can push stains deeper into the surface.
For oil-based lipstick stains, use oil-based cleaners like dish soap, baking soda, vinegar or alcohol.
Most stains come out with gentle dish soap and warm water with repeated applications.
Apply heat to soften and lift old stubborn stains.
Prevent stains proactively with blotting and barriers like tablecloths.
Stay persistent! It may take several tries to completely lift stubborn lipstick stains.

I hope these tips make battling lipstick stains a breeze. With some mild cleaning solutions and repeated blotting, you can erase those lip marks from clothes, carpet, glassware and more. What are your best stain removal secrets? Let me know if you have any other tricks for getting out pesky lipstick stains!