Lipstick
Short answer: Put washing-up liquid on the stain and leave it for twenty minutes. Lipstick is wax and pigment, and the wax must be dissolved before the colour can come out. Scrape off the excess first, then rinse cold from the wrong side.
What lipstick is made of
Lipstick is made of wax that holds the shape, oil that makes it smooth and pigment that gives the colour. The first two are fat, and fat needs an agent rather than water. That explains why a lipstick stain rarely disappears if you simply rinse it under the tap.
Scrape off the excess
Start by removing what sits on top of the fabric. Use the back of a spoon or a scrap of paper and scrape gently so you lift the thick lump without pressing it into the fibres. The less lipstick that is left, the less the washing-up liquid has to deal with afterwards.
Washing-up liquid on the stain
Put a little washing-up liquid directly on the stain and leave it for about twenty minutes. Washing-up liquid is made to dissolve grease, and that is exactly what wax and oil require. You do not need to dilute it. Use enough to cover the stain, but not so much that it is hard to rinse out.
Rinse cold from the wrong side
Rinse the stain cold from the wrong side so the colour is pushed out of the fabric and not further in. Hot water can make the pigment bond harder, so stick to cold water at first. After rinsing you can see how much has come out. Also see women's long-sleeved bamboo t-shirt.
May you rub the stain
No. Rubbing presses the wax in between the fibres, and then the stain is harder to remove. Dab lightly with a clean cloth instead, or let the washing-up liquid work without touching it. Patience gives a better result than force, and it is gentle on the fabric so it lasts longer.
If the colour stays
Repeat the treatment and wash the garment at forty degrees if the label allows it. Forty degrees helps with the grease and lets the pigment follow. Always check the care label first and never wash warmer than it allows. Do not wash without pre-treatment, or the stain can set.
Red shades
Red shades often need two rounds, and both must sit before the garment dries. Red pigment bonds more strongly to the fibre than light colours, which is why the dark and strong shades cause the most trouble. Allow a little extra time and let the washing-up liquid work both times. Also see bamboo tennis socks for women and bamboo shirt for men.
Does spirit work on lipstick
Spirit can loosen the pigment, but the grease needs washing-up liquid. That is why washing-up liquid is the best first choice for lipstick. If you use only spirit, the grease can stay behind and leave a smooth, dark mark even though the colour has lightened. Use spirit at most as a supplement if pigment remains.
Check before drying
Check the stain before you hang the garment up or dry it. Heat can set what is left so it becomes harder to remove. If something still shows, repeat the washing-up liquid and wash again. It is better to treat twice than to leave a dried stain in place.
Frequently asked questions
May you rub the stain
No. Rubbing presses the wax in between the fibres, and the stain becomes harder to remove. Dab lightly instead and let the washing-up liquid work.
Does spirit work on lipstick
On the pigment yes, but the grease needs washing-up liquid. Always start with washing-up liquid and use spirit only as a supplement if pigment remains.
Why are red shades the hardest
Red pigment bonds more strongly to the fibre than light colours. That is why red shades often need two rounds, both of which must sit before the garment dries.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
