How to Get Lipstick Out of Clothes (No Panic Required!)

Your Favorite Lip Color Doesn't Have to Ruin Your Favorite Outfit

Let's be honest: your lipstick stain isn't just color; it's a potent mix of heavy waxes and deeply set pigments. When that happens, the culprit is usually your favorite, rich, pigmented best lipstick—the one you love for its staying power and color payoff. The bad news? Those same qualities make it a major challenge for laundry.

The good news? It is $100\%$ fixable! Here is our easy, three-step rescue plan for tackling any fresh or set makeup stain.

Phase 1: Pre-Treating & Breaking Down the Oils (The Critical First Step)

You must break down the greasy, waxy components before you put the garment in the washing machine.

1. Remove Excess Wax: Using a spoon or the dull side of a butter knife, gently scrape away any thick, excess clumps of the lipstick. Be extremely careful not to spread the stain further into the fabric.
2. Blot, Don't Rub: If the stain is fresh, blot the area with a clean paper towel to absorb as much oil as possible. Never rub! Rubbing pushes the pigment and wax deeper into the fibers.
3. The Dish Soap Method (Our Secret Weapon): Since lipstick is oil-based, you need a degreaser. Apply a generous dollop of clear dishwashing liquid (the kind you use for hand-washing dishes) directly onto the stain.
4. Massage Gently: Using your finger or a clean, soft toothbrush, gently work the dish soap into the fabric in tiny circular motions. You should see the color start to loosen and transfer onto the soap/foam. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.

Phase 2: Rinse and Reassess (The Power of Persistence)

After the dish soap has done its job, it's time to rinse.

• Rinse from the Back: Turn the garment over and rinse the area with warm water from the back of the stain. This forces the product out of the fabric rather than pushing it through to the other side.
• Repeat if Necessary: If you can still see any shadow or trace of the lipstick pigment, repeat Phase 1 (dish soap and gentle massage) immediately. Stubborn or dark shades may require two or three rounds of pre-treatment.

Phase 3: Wash and Dry (The Final Rule)

• Launder as Usual: Once the stain is completely gone, wash the garment according to its care label (usually on a warm or hot cycle, depending on the fabric).
• NO HEAT ZONE: This is the most important rule! Do not put the item in the dryer or use any heat (like an iron) until you are $100\%$ certain the stain is gone. Heat permanently sets the oils and pigments, making the stain virtually impossible to remove later. Air dry the garment and inspect it.

If the stain reappears after air-drying, go back to Phase 1 immediately! By sticking to this process, your garment will be safe and stain-free, ready for its next encounter with your gorgeous makeup.