Lipstick on Cotton & Clothing

Medium·⏱ 10–20 min

  1. Gently scrape off excess lipstick.

  2. Apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth and dab the stain — lipstick wax dissolves well.

  3. Apply dish soap, work in gently, rinse cold.

  4. Machine wash cold.

What you'll need

  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Dish soap
  • Petroleum jelly or oil
  • Cold water

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Never use hot water — it sets lipstick's wax and pigment.
  • ✗Don't rub — lipstick smears readily.

Pro tip

The oil/petroleum jelly trick is the key insight for lipstick — you need to soften the wax base before any solvent can get to the pigment underneath.

Always check the garment's care label and test any solution on a hidden area first. StainsGone provides general household guidance, not professional textile or restoration advice.