Lipstick Stain Removal

Here are lipstick stain removal tips. If you're doing laundry for your house cleaning business you're wisely making yourself more valuable to your clients.

Lipstick stains are quite common, not only on clothing, but on upholstery as well. Usually, the client has fallen asleep without removing their make-up, and wake up to find lipstick smears on their clothing, sheets, or sofa cushions.

Often, by the time a client contacts you about lipstick stain removal, they have already tried various methods without success. The earlier the stain is caught, the easier the removal process is. While an old stain is more difficult to remove, complete removal can still be accomplished.

If the material to be cleaned is a garment, be sure to check that the garment is not dry-clean only, and that there are no special care instructions. Always follow directions on care tags.

First, try to remove as much of the lipstick as possible using a damp cloth. Never smudge or wipe the stain, as this will only send the lipstick deeper into the fabric. Instead, dab the stain gently, taking care to use a clean area of the cloth each time you dab to avoid spreading the stain.

Next, you'll want to apply soapy water, using the same technique. Since lipstick is an oil-based cosmetic, you'll want to use products geared specifically toward combating grease. Many dish detergents contain grease-fighting chemicals, and these are an excellent choice for lipstick stain removal. You can mix the water and detergent in a bowl, and dip the rag into it, dabbing the stain with the moistened cloth. It's important to note that you should start at the outside of the stain and work your way inward. This keeps the stain from spreading out from the area of origin. Another option is to mix detergent and water in a standard spray bottle, moisten the area to be cleaned, and dab with a dry, clean cloth.

Allow the area to air dry completely. It's essential that you don't try to speed up the drying process by using a towel to “rub” the moisture away, or by using heat drying methods, as these will only cause the stain to set in. If some discoloration is still present, you can repeat the process as many times as is necessary. The chemicals in detergents are safe to apply repeatedly to fabrics.

If you've repeated the process several times and it has become apparent that you cannot remove the stain this way, it may be time to try a professional commercial cleaner. There are many such products available. Since directions for these cleaners vary significantly, be sure to follow the instructions on the label to the letter.

Keep in mind that some stains simply cannot be removed. If you've tried all of the above methods to no avail, inform the customer that the stain cannot be removed, and inform them of each step that you have taken.

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