How to Get Lipstick Off Dried Laundry

"Lipstick on Your Collar" is not just a famous hit single by singer Connie Francis that rose to the top of the pop music charts in 1959, but a troubling laundry problem as well. Dried lipstick adheres itself to fabric, marring the look of the garment unless the stain can be removed. Lipstick stains are sometimes not noticed right away and can end up dried onto the garment's surface. Removing dried lipstick stains requires rehydrating the stain and using certain laundry products to remove the stain.

Paper towel
Commercial prewash spray
Bucket (optional)
Liquid laundry detergent or dish soap
Rubbing alcohol, ammonia or hair spray (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Check your garment's label to determine the type of fabric it is made of and any special care instructions. Take the garment to a professional cleaner if the label says to dry clean only.
- 2
  Rinse the lipstick stain with warm water to rehydrate the stain. Blot the surface of the stain with a cloth or paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible, plus any excess moisture.
- 3
  Apply a commercial prewash spray directly to the stain. Leave the pretreatment solution on the lipstick stain for five to 10 minutes. Blot the stain to remove excess liquid and any of the stain that can be removed.
- 4
  Fill a sink or bucket with warm water. Add a small amount of liquid dish or laundry detergent to the water and swirl the water around to create suds. Submerge the garment into the water. Weight the garment down with a clean towel. Leave the garment in the water for at least 30 minutes.
- 5
  Remove the garment from the water and gently ring dry. Wash the garment following the care instructions on the label.

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