The day has come, the dreaded, unfortunate day where your little one has discovered your makeup collection. You now have your favourite red lipstick embedded into the new, white carpet you just had fitted.
So what do you do now? Fortunately, this guide has many different methods on how to remove lipstick from carpets and rugs, so you don’t have to hire an outside source to come and remove them for you.
The best part? You can find these lipstick stain removal products inside your own home. We have 5 different methods explained to help remove lipstick or lipgloss from your carpets.
How to Remove Lipstick or Lipgloss Stains from Carpet & Rugs
In this guide, you will find that each of the solutions can be performed by you at home. Most of the supplies needed for removing the stain can be found inside your own cupboards, so there’s no need to go out and buy chemical cleaners from the shop.
As we look further at how to get lipstick out of carpet, one of these methods is sure to work wonders for you.
Before You Start
Begin by removing any extra globs of lipstick or lipgloss from the carpet. You can do this by grabbing a knife or a spoon.
During this process you want to make sure that you are careful not to cause damage to the carpet fibers, so using a gentle hand while doing this will ensure no more extra stress.
1 Method One: All Purpose Stain Remover
For this method you will need:
- Stain remover
- Damp microfiber cloth
#1 Start off by using the cloth soaked in water and begin blotting the lipstick stain so that some of the product absorbs into the cloth. It is vital that you blot the area instead of using a rubbing motion.
Rubbing the product could cause the lipstick to seep further into the carpet fibers and for the product to spread, causing an even bigger mess.
![Help_I_ve_Spilled_Lipstick_Now_What (1) [photoutils.com] (1)](https://www.smartvacuums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Help_I_ve_Spilled_Lipstick_Now_What-1-photoutils.com-1.jpeg)
#2 The next step to this method is to test your all-purpose stain removal product on an inconspicuous area of carpet. Lipstick stains attach to the carpet fibers with grease, so you will need to make sure your cleaner contains a grease removal element.
Most all-purpose stain removal products will work, including dry cleaning fluid. However, these may discolor your carpet. Apply the all-purpose cleaner to an inconspicuous area and let it sit for five minutes before blotting dry with a clean, dry cloth.
If severe discoloration occurs you may want to use another method of removal. If you don’t find severe discoloration, spray the affected area with the all-purpose stain removal product and allow it to sit for five minutes.
After spraying the affected area with the stain remover, take a new cloth that has been soaked in water and start blotting away at the stain. You should begin seeing the stain transfer from the carpet onto the cloth.
You may need to repeat this step a few times if you see major improvement, if you don’t, proceed to using another cleaning method.
#3 After using this method, wash your carpet afterwards to remove any traces of cleaning product that could cause discoloration or damage to the carpet fibers. Hand wash the area with a cloth and a small amount of dish or laundry detergent mixed with warm water.
#4 The last step to this method is to rinse the carpet with cold water, and blot it dry with a clean cloth. This will remove the detergent and any leftover cleaner that the detergent picked up.
![Help_I_ve_Spilled_Lipstick_Now_What [photoutils.com] (1)](https://www.smartvacuums.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Help_I_ve_Spilled_Lipstick_Now_What-photoutils.com-1.jpeg)
2 Method Two: Rubbing Alcohol
If your all-purpose stain removal product failed to remove the lipstick stains, use rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol to remove it instead. Rubbing alcohol is a powerful grease solvent.
For this method on how to get lipstick off a carpet, you will want to make sure to not use too much because it can seep into the carpet backing and cause further damage.
You will want to avoid using circular motions while trying to get the lipstick stain out. Circular motions can cause the carpet fibers to tear, leaving a bald spot in your carpet.
It is always important to blot, and not rub the product. Rubbing can cause the product to spread the stain wider, and deeper into your carpet.
3 Method Three: Nail Polish Remover
The secret weapon held by all those with painted nails: nail polish remover. Your nail polish remover will need to contain 100% acetone in order for it to work and remove lipstick. Other ingredients may cause unexpected results or more damage to the affected area of the carpet.
Since acetone contains a strong odor if inhaled, you will want to make sure that the room is well ventilated and keep the product away from pets or children. Before proceeding, test this method on an inconspicuous area of carpet to see if any damage occurs.
Begin by applying the nail polish remover to the lipstick stains and let it sit for five minutes. After the acetone has sat, take a damp colorless cloth and begin blotting at the area. As mentioned before, always blot and not rub. Blot until the stain has been removed thoroughly.
4 Method Four: Hydrogen Peroxide
If there is still a lipstick stain leftover on the affected area after trying out the methods above, use hydrogen peroxide to ‘bleach’ the area.
Make sure, before proceeding, that the hydrogen peroxide is at least a 3% solution because weaker solutions will not be as efficient in the lipstick stain removal process and stronger solutions can cause damage to your carpet.
To ensure that your bottle of hydrogen peroxide has not expired, pour some into the sink, and if it causes a fizzing reaction then you are good to proceed. If it doesn’t, it is time to toss that bottle into the rubbish bin.
Next, apply just enough hydrogen peroxide to moisten the stained carpet fibers, you can use a cloth or a sponge to apply this. Avoid pouring the product onto the affected area because it can seep further into the carpet and damage the backing, and cause bleaching to other areas of the carpet.
Allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit for an hour. The hydrogen peroxide should lightly bleach the area. You may need to repeat this step a few more times to get the stain removed. There is no need to rinse the area afterwards because the hydrogen peroxide will break down into water.
5 Method Five: Laundry Detergent
For this method, you will need your powder laundry detergent and a little bit of water. Start by putting the powder into a bowl and mixing in a bit of water to create a paste. Dip a soft white cloth into the paste and apply it to the affected area. Blot from the outside of the stain and into the center to avoid spreading the stain on the carpet.
After blotting at the stain, take a new, damp white cloth and wipe the detergent away. Once your carpet dries, re-treat the area as needed to remove the stain. It’s a quick form of lipstick remover from carpet.
Read Here : How to remove dried paint from carpets
FAQs
How Do You Remove Lipstick if it Has Already Dried?
If the lipstick has dried, try using some vaseline to moisturize the affected area before proceeding with any of the above methods.
Can White Vinegar Remove Makeup Stains?
Yes, white vinegar can remove makeup stains. If using vinegar, choose to use white distilled vinegar because other types can potentially stain your carpet even more, causing a bigger stain than you originally had. For white vinegar, mix this in a spray bottle with water and dish detergent.
Does WD40 Remove Lipstick from Carpet?
WD-40 can be used to remove lipstick stains from carpet, but it needs to soak for about 10 minutes. If you opt for this method for removal, make sure to patch test another area of the carpet that is not visible to ensure it doesn’t damage the fibers.
To Conclude
If all of the above methods fail to remove the makeup product from your carpet, you may want to hire a professional to remove further traces of the stain.
However, you will find that professionals use similar methods to stain removal and that you may find it worth it to repeat the methods you chose a few more times before giving up.
The process of how to remove lipstick from carpet is fairly easy to follow from home, and removing the stains can be quite a simple process.
If you’re looking for how to get lipstick stains off carpet, you’ve certainly come to the right place – let us know how you got on with our cleaning methods.
Last Updated on March 19, 2021 by Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience writing for consumer publications. She has tested and reviewed a wide range of household items from vacuum cleaners to washing machines and dehumidifiers to steam irons. Her attention to detail and exhaustive testing certainly makes her an expert in her field.
