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Removing lipstick
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Removing lipstick
A kiss on a collar, a smudge on the sofa or a tap with a make-up bag on the carpet: lipstick stains appear faster than you think. They stand out because of their bright colour, but the main problem is their composition. Lipstick often contains fats, waxes and strong colourants that adhere firmly to fibres and surfaces. As a result, ‘just wiping it off’ is usually not enough and the stain may actually get bigger if you start off on the wrong foot.
Acting quickly helps, as the lipstick will have absorbed less. At the same time, it is important to work calmly so that you do not smudge the colour.
Below you can read what you need to pay attention to for each surface and which approach is most suitable.
The same advice applies to these stains: Lipstick
Characteristics (anatomy) of a lipstick stain
Lipstick is a mixture of wax, oil and pigment. The wax and oil ensure that it lubricates and stays in place, and it is precisely this layer of grease that penetrates the fabric and retains the dyes. The pigments are often strong and can leave a visible shadow, even if the stain already appears less intense. On hard floors, lipstick often leaves a greasy smear, while on carpets and upholstery it creeps between the fibres. If you start with water or rub hard, you will spread the grease and push the colour deeper into the material.
Lipstick stains on carpet and rug
Lipstick often contains fats, waxes and colour pigments. In carpet, the grease adheres to the fibres and the pigment remains visible as a red or pink shadow. The stain may also shine because it forms a waxy layer around the pile.
If you leave it, the spot will attract dirt and become darker and more stained. The washing component can harden and make the fibres stiff. A distinct colour cast often remains visible on light-coloured carpets, while dark carpets more often show a shiny spot.
Please note that rubbing will spread the pigment and make the stain larger. The wax layer can also spread like a film, giving you a larger shine zone. Lipstick is less ‘wet’, but rather stubborn due to the combination of grease and pigment.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Lipstick stains on hard floors
On hard floors, you often see lipstick as a smear that leaves behind both colour and grease. It can form a film on the top layer, causing streaks. The pigment may remain in the structure and along the edges, causing a pink haze.
If you leave it lying around, it will become stained more quickly: colour remains, grease attracts dust. On matt floors, it is particularly noticeable when light falls on it because the surface reflects differently. With natural stone, pigment can remain visible for longer in small pores or imperfections.
Be aware that you may exacerbate the issue by spreading it over a larger area. A thin layer of grease may also appear almost invisible after drying, but still look streaky. Lipstick often revolves around the difference in shine and the retention of pigment.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover. Before use, always test the surface in an inconspicuous place for colour and material resistance: apply, leave to set for 5 minutes, wipe the tested area with water, allow to dry and assess.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover. Before use, always test the surface in an inconspicuous place for colour and material resistance: apply, leave to set for 5 minutes, wipe the tested area with water, allow to dry and assess.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Lipstick stains on furniture fabric
On upholstery fabric, you can see lipstick as a red or pink smudge with a greasy edge. It penetrates the upper fibres and can leave pigment behind, even if the surface feels less greasy. With microfibre, this can be particularly noticeable due to differences in shine.
If you leave it, the spot may attract dirt and become darker. The fabric structure can also change because wax and grease cause the fibres to stick together. A distinct tinge often remains visible on light fabrics, especially with bright colours.
Please note that rubbing will spread the pigment further and make the spot larger. A larger moisture zone may also remain visible later as a circle if you influence the area around the spot significantly. Lipstick is particularly treacherous because of pigment that quickly sticks.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Would you also like to benefit from James’ effective stain removal? Discover our full range and order your James products easily online. You’ll soon be enjoying a clean and stain-free interior again!
Frequently asked questions and myths
There are all sorts of stories going around about how to remove stains from this lipstick. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.
Does hairspray really help against lipstick stains?
Hairspray is a well-known tip, but it is a risk. Some hairsprays contain alcohol and can temporarily ‘loosen’ the stain, but they often leave a sticky residue. This causes the area to attract dirt later on, and you will still see a haze. Hairspray can also cause colour differences on upholstery fabric or make the fabric stiff. If you are unlucky, the stain will get bigger. It is preferable to choose a cleaner that can safely remove grease and pigment and that is suitable for your material.
Is washing-up liquid the best solution because lipstick is greasy?
Dishwashing liquid can remove grease, but that does not mean it is always a good choice. It can be difficult to remove from carpet and upholstery fabric, leaving behind a sticky spot that attracts dirt. If you use too much, it may leave streaks or cause differences in shine on floors. It sometimes works on small stains, but a product designed to remove grease and colourants usually gives a cleaner result and less risk of residue.
Can I remove lipstick with a damp cloth?
That seems logical, but it usually has the opposite effect. You spread the grease and pigment and push it deeper into the fibres or structure. Het gevolg is een grotere waas en vaak ook een kring.The result is a larger blur and often also a circle. It is better to first carefully remove the excess material and then treat the stain with a product that dissolves grease and colour. Work locally, use little moisture and wipe thoroughly afterwards. This will prevent the stain from spreading and remaining visible.
Does bicarbonate of soda or talcum powder work to absorb grease?
Powders can absorb grease, but they do not completely solve the problem. They mainly tackle the oil, while the pigments often remain. In addition, powder may remain in carpets or fabrics and cause a slight haze, especially on dark materials. If you rub it in too hard, you will actually push the pigment deeper into the fibres. It can sometimes help as a first emergency measure, but afterwards, targeted cleaning is needed to remove both grease and colour.
Is lipstick particularly difficult to remove from natural stone?
Yes, often. Natural stone can be porous, allowing fats and colourants to penetrate. With light-coloured stone types, you will quickly notice this as a dark spot or colour cast. If you use the wrong product, the surface may become dull or permanently discoloured. Therefore, remove lipstick as quickly as possible without smearing it and choose a cleaner that is suitable for natural stone. Work with minimal moisture and then wipe everything down thoroughly and dry the surface.
Deal with any stain using the right approach from James
Lipstick stains are a tricky combination of grease, wax and strong dyes, but you can usually remove them effectively if you work calmly and smartly. Start by carefully removing the stain without smearing it, and then tackle the remaining stain directly. With the right products and James’ advice, you can safely remove lipstick from carpets, hard floors and upholstery without leaving marks or colour stains. This will keep your interior neat and fresh, even after an unexpected make-up stain.