Lip gloss can leave behind sticky, glossy stains that are difficult to remove. While lip gloss stains may seem stubborn, there are several effective methods you can use to get rid of them. With a few simple household ingredients and techniques, you can safely remove lip gloss stains from clothing, furniture, and other surfaces.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover different types of lip gloss stains and the best removal methods, including:
- Clothing – Treat stains as soon as possible and use dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or laundry pre-treatment sprays. Wash in the washing machine.
- Carpet and Upholstery – Blot stains immediately and use vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or carpet cleaner. For dried stains, try steam cleaning.
- Hard Surfaces – Use oil, baking soda, or windex to breakdown the lip gloss. Soft scrub with a sponge or old toothbrush.
- Lipstick Stained Skin – Remove with petroleum jelly, baby oil, or makeup remover wipes. Exfoliate with wet washcloth if stained persists.
- Tips for Preventing Stains – Apply thinner layers of gloss, use liners, set with powder, and more recommendations.
Understanding Lip Gloss Stains
Lip gloss contains oils, waxes, and dyes that can leave behind a sticky, greasy stain when it comes into contact with fabric, carpet, or other materials. The main culprits are:
- Oils – Lip glosses contain oils that help add moisture and shine. When these transfer to surfaces, an oily stain results. Common gloss oils include mineral oil, lanolin oil, coconut oil, and castor oil.
- Waxes – Waxy ingredients help provide thickness and color adhesion. But waxes can cling to materials. Beeswax, paraffin wax, and carnauba wax are typical lip gloss thickeners.
- Dyes – Vibrant dyes and pigments tint the lips but also cause staining. Darker or brighter colors tend to stain the most. Iron oxides, D&C dyes, carmine, and ultramarines create bold lip gloss hues.
Lip gloss textures also play a role. Shimmery, pearlescent, and frosted glosses tend to feel thicker and more emollient. These opaque, slippery formulas sink into materials and become stubborn stains. Sheer, creamy glosses tend to transfer less.
No matter the formula, it’s best to treat lip gloss stains as soon as possible. The longer the stain sets, the harder it will be to remove. Prompt action prevents permanent staining.
Removing Lip Gloss From Clothes
Lip gloss stains on clothing are common accidental occurrences. Follow these methods to safely lift greasy, sticky stains from fabric:
Scrape Off Excess
If the stain is fresh, gently scrape off any excess lip gloss from the fabric using a dull butter knife or spoon. This prevents the stain from setting further.
Apply Dish Soap
Work a few drops of dish soap like Dawn or Palmolive into the stain to help break up oils and waxy deposits. Let sit briefly.
Scrub With Baking Soda
For a light abrasive scrub, make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub onto the stain using a soft-bristled toothbrush or fingernail brush. Rinse thoroughly.
Use Pre-Treatment Spray
Spritz laundry pre-treatment stain removers onto the lip gloss stain. Good options include OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover or Carbona Stain Devils #9 Lipstick and Grease Remover. Check the garment tag and select a product safe for that fabric.
Wash in Machine
Machine wash the clothing in hot water to lift any remaining traces of the stain. Avoid dryer heat until stain is fully removed.
For severe, dried-on stains, try these steps before washing:
- Rubbing Alcohol – Soak a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and dab onto the stain to dissolve oils. Rinse thoroughly.
- Dishwasher Detergent – Make a concentrated paste of powder dishwasher detergent like Cascade Complete Powder and water. Apply to stain for 15 minutes before washing.
- Vinegar or Lemon Juice – Natural acids help break down waxes and oils. Soak stain in one part vinegar and one part water for 30 minutes. Or try lemon juice.
Once you treat the stain, check the fabric tag and launder garments normally to remove any residue. Avoid using hot water or drying on older or delicate materials. With prompt treatment, you can successfully remove lip gloss from clothing.
Removing Lip Gloss From Carpet
Lip gloss stains can be even trickier to remove from carpet fibers and upholstery. But these tips will help erase any evidence of sticky lip gloss:
Blot Immediately
As soon as a spill occurs, blot the area firmly with a clean paper towel or cloth. Avoid rubbing, which pushes stain deeper into fibers.
Use Ice
Place an ice cube wrapped in plastic directly on glossy residue. Cold helps harden the gloss so it can be lifted up.
Try Vinegar
Mix one part vinegar with one part water and spritz onto the stain. Let sit briefly. Blot up residue. The acid in vinegar dissolves oils.
Rub With Alcohol
For tough, dried-on stains, rub the area with isopropyl alcohol using a cotton cloth. This dissolves waxes and oils.
Clean With Carpet Shampoo
Use a carpet cleaning machine or targeted spot cleaner following product instructions. Good carpet shampoos include Bissell Professional Powerlift Pet Stain & Odor Remover or Hoover PetPlus Pet Stain & Odor Remover. Shampoos help emulsify oil-based stains.
Steam Clean
For older, set-in stains, use a steam cleaning machine like the Bissell SteamShot Handheld Steam Cleaner to deeply penetrate and lift the stain with hot jets of steam.
Avoid scrubbing aggressively, which can grind stain deeper or damage fibers. Test stain removers first in an inconspicuous area to ensure it’s carpet safe. Remain patient and repeatedly treat stain until no visible glossy residue remains.
Hard Surface Lip Gloss Removal
Lip gloss can stain tile, laminate, granite, wood, and other solid surfaces. Luckily, these materials are easy to treat using everyday household products:
Apply Cooking Oil
A light coat of vegetable, coconut, or olive oil helps dissolve lip gloss residue. Let sit 5-10 minutes before wiping clean with a soft cloth.
Use Baking Soda
Make a baking soda paste with just enough water to form a spreadable consistency. Apply to the stain and let sit 5 minutes before rinsing. The light abrasion can help lift stain.
Spray With Glass Cleaner
The solvents in glass cleaner help dissolve oils and waxes. Spritz on stain, let sit briefly, then wipe away. Products like Windex Original Glass Cleaner work well.
Scrub With Soft Sponge
For extra removal power, make a baking soda paste. Use a soft sponge or old toothbrush to gently scrub. Take care not to mar surfaces.
Scrape Dried Gloss
Use a plastic scraper or dull butter knife to carefully lift off any hardened gloss. Then clean surface normally with soap and water or disinfecting wipes.
Avoid harsh scrubbing and acidic cleaners which may damage surfaces. With the right oil-dissolving cleaners, lip gloss comes right off!
Removing Lip Gloss From Skin and Lips
No need to panic if lip gloss accidentally transfers onto skin. The oils and waxes that stain other materials are easily dissolved with ingredients from your bathroom:
Use Petroleum Jelly
Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly like Vaseline to stained skin and let sit for 5 minutes. Gently rub in circles before wiping away gloss.
Try Baby Oil
Saturate a cotton ball with mineral oil or baby oil like Johnson’s Baby Oil. Press onto stained skin for 30 seconds to dissolve lip gloss.
Use Makeup Removers
Look for makeup remover wipes or micellar waters formulated to break down lip colors. Gently wipe over stained skin. Good options include Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes and Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.
Exfoliate With Wet Washcloth
For gloss that’s dried onto skin, wet a washcloth with hot water. Gently scrub stained area in circles to slough off dead skin and stain. Avoid harsh scrubbing.
Avoid pulling or rubbing the delicate skin around your lips. Gently massage in removers then rinse clean. Follow up by applying a rich moisturizer like Aquaphor Healing Ointment to refresh skin.
Tips for Preventing Lip Gloss Stains
While stains do happen, you can take proactive steps to avoid lip gloss transferring and staining:
- Apply thinner layers of lip gloss and blot in between to decrease excess.
- Use a lip liner in a similar shade to create a barrier against stains. Try NYX Suede Matte Lip Liner.
- Set gloss with a transparent powder like Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder to reduce transfer.
- Keep lips parted while gloss dries so they don’t stick together, pulling off product.
- Drink through a straw at restaurants to minimize lip contact against glassware.
- Store lip gloss properly closed and upright to avoid leaks.
- Clean up spills immediately by blotting and spot treating stains.
- Create barrier between lips and clothing by raising collars or wearing scarves.
With the right stain removal techniques, a little lip gloss doesn’t need to leave a lasting impression on your belongings. Next time gloss transfers, try these simple methods lift even the most stubborn stains.
