Nothing pulls together a look faster than lipstick. But this beauty staple also has a mind of it’s own, which is why it often ends up on your collar, your favorite scarf, and your pillow. Bummer, we know. The next time this happens, follow this advice from our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab ASAP.
Clothes
Start by scraping off any excess lipstick (try a piece of tape to pick up smaller bits). Treat the spot with a prewash stain remover, like Shout Advanced Gel ($14 for a 3-pack, amazon.com), as soon as possible, then launder. “Don’t let the stain sit while you’re at work,” says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. “This pretreater is safe to use up to several days before wash day.”
If the stain remains, try this process again or try sponging the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent, like Guardsman Professional Strength Dry Cleaning Fluid Stain Remover Solution ($50, amazon.com), and laundering. Repeat, applying and blotting the solution, until the stain disappears.
And remember, always remove lipsticks and balms from your pockets before you do the laundry, as they can cause a nasty stain if they melt into the fabric.
Carpet
Scrape off excess lipstick. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. Blot until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat this process until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent, like Dawn Dish Soap ($11, amazon.com), and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with the solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
Upholstery
Scrape off excess lipstick. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. Blot until the solvent is absorbed. Repeat this process until the stain disappears.
