Lipstick stains are notoriously tricky to remove from shoes, but wedges present a particular challenge because of their varied textures and raised details. Here we explain the methods you can use to get lipstick off wedges safely and effectively.
Updated 26 Jun 2023
By Noemi Denker
Before attempting to remove the stain, you should pretreat it with a mild laundry detergent or a commercial prewash spray like Shout or Biz. Spray enough of the cleaner onto the affected parts of wedge to thoroughly saturate stain, then leave it for several minutes to give it time to work.
Once the stain has been pretreated, use an old toothbrush to gently scrub it away. Be sure to be gentle so that you don't scrape or damage the shoe's surface. Once you've finished scrubbing, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining residue.
If the stain still remains after scrubbing, you can try soaking the wedge in a basin of hot water. If you prefer, you can add a few capfuls of a mild laundry detergent to water to help loosen stain before soaking. Let the wedge soak for a few hours, and then inspect it to see if any of the lipid molecules from the lipstick remain.
If any of the stain is still visible, take a damp cloth and a little bit of laundry detergent and spot clean the affected area. Make sure to use a very mild detergent as these can cause discoloration or damage to shoe. When you're finished, rinse off the area with a clean damp cloth.
When you're done cleaning the wedge, let it air dry. Don't put it in dryer, as this could cause the shoe to shrink or become misshapen. If you need to speed up drying process, you can use a fan or a hair dryer set to the lowest setting.
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