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Lipstick Stain on Your Collar? Here's How to Get It Out

Photo credit: Carol Yepes
Photo credit: Carol Yepes

From Country Living

We've all been there. You're putting the finishing touches on your makeup before you head out the door, and you spot it—the dreaded lipstick stain. Or even worse—you're in the restaurant ladies' room touching up your lipstick after dinner and somehow smear some on your sleeve. Perhaps you're sorting the laundry and find lipstick stains on your significant other's collar. Hopefully it doesn't cause any drama like in the old Connie Francis hit tune and your only concern is how to get that stain out. You may have experience figuring out how to clean leather and even how to get nail polish out of carpet, but you'll need some different techniques to remove that lipstick stain. Once everything is clean and stain-free, take a look at our makeup storage ideas. (If your vanity is tidy and organized, you'll be less likely to get stains in the future.)

First, remove any excess lipstick.

Take a moment to assess the situation. Don't be tempted to rub the stain, as that will only press the lipstick deeper into the fabric. Instead, scrape off any larger chunks of lipstick with a flat edge of a dull knife or even a credit card. Or if you have a piece of tape handy, apply the sticky side of the tape to the stain and then lift any excess lipstick from the fabric.

Photo credit: lucentius
Photo credit: lucentius

Now, check the label.

Make sure you know what you're working with. You want to clean the stain but not cause any further damage to the garment. Check the type of fabric and how it can be washed. You won't want to wash something that requires cold water on hot, and don't start using regular detergent on something marked dry-clean only.

Next, grab the stain remover.

If you have a pre-wash stain-remover, now is the time to use it. Read the manufacturer's instructions and apply the stain-remover to the lipstick stain. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse under warm water without rubbing. No stain-remover on hand? Try a heavy-duty laundry detergent instead. Most lipsticks are oil-based, so a gentle detergent probably won't do the trick. Pour a small amount of detergent directly onto the stain, let it sit, and then rinse. It's important to treat the stain as soon as possible to keep it from setting.

Toss it in the washing machine.

Once the stain has been treated, you're ready to wash the item as normal according to the label. When the cycle is finished, inspect the garment to make sure the stain has been removed. If you still see traces of lipstick, do not throw the item in the dryer. This will only help set the stain. Instead, repeat the treatment steps and wash again.

Can dry cleaners remove lipstick stains?

Yes! Your local dry cleaner can help you out of this mess, providing the article of clothing can be dry cleaned. Take a moment to remove solid particles from the garment as described above, and then get it to the dry cleaners asap. The less time the stain has to set, the better. Make sure you point out the stain to your dry cleaner before they get started.

How do you get lipstick out of polyester? What about cotton?

Polyester and cotton are usually machine-washable (again, check that label to be sure), so the above steps should do the trick. Just be sure to act quickly for the best chance at success.

What's this I hear about hair spray? Or rubbing alcohol?

In a pinch, these items can help treat stains, but it's always best to use a product specifically designed for laundry care. If you happen to have rubbing alcohol but not a stain-remover, try dabbing (don't rub!) a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the stain using a cotton ball, let sit, and then launder as usual. For hair spray, spray the stained area and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and place in the washing machine. You'll want to test either of these methods in a discrete area first (like a hem or the inside of a sleeve) to make sure it doesn't damage the fabric.

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