How do I get lipstick stains out of my clothes?

Try using cold water, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide or ammonia, or an enzyme-based stain remover. If nothing works, take the garment to a professional dry cleaner.

Can I use hot water to remove lipstick stains from my clothes?

No—hot water may actually cause the stain to set permanently in the fabric.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Lipstick > Shirts

5 Tips on Removing Lipstick Stains from Clothes

Lipstick stains can be tricky and stubborn, but don't worry—cleaning them off your favorite clothing is doable with the right method.

Updated 26 Jun 2023

By Mateuzs Kowalski

1. Use Cold Water

Before trying anything else, start by soaking stain in cold water. Leave it for some time and then launder as usual. If the stain has faded, you’re done. If not, move onto the next step.

2. Rub a Bar of Soap Onto the Stain

Apply a bit of dish soap onto affected area and start rubbing it in. Don’t be too rough in order to prevent the shirt from being damaged. Wait several minutes for the dish soap to effectively lift off the stain.

3. Enzyme-Based Stains Remover

If cold water and dish soap don’t work, try using a specialised enzyme-based stain remover. With this method, the stain should come out immediately if the instructions are followed correctly.

4. Try Ammonia or Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix a tablespoon of either ammonia or hydrogen peroxide with two cups of water. Dip a cloth into the mixture and start blotting the stain until it’s gone.

5. Go to a Professional Dry Cleaner

For stubborn and set-in lipstick stains, your best bet may be to take the clothing item to a professional dry cleaner. This way, you can be sure that your garment will be taken care of properly without causing any damage.

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