Wax, red synthetic dye or pigment, oils, fragrance. It’s mark is legendary and removing it can be intimidating. Of course, an essential step for successful stain removal in any situation, is to deal with it immediately when the stain is fresh, and avoid setting the stain with heat (blow drying), prior to treatment.

For cottons, linens: After inserting a paper towel underneath the fabric, I lightly blotted the stained white fabric with a paper towel to remove excess lipstick.

I gently applied Eucalan topically to the red lipstick. Eucalan begins to release oil and color from both sides of the fabric. I repeated this action three or four times as evidenced by the continued but lessening stains on the paper towel. When the stain was saturated with Eucalan, I rinsed, removing quite a bit of color to a point that it was barely perceptible. I then applied Eucalan again, worked it in, and rinsed in sink with tepid water (NEVER HOT!), as RED pigment or dye is almost indelible in its own right, the last to leave the party, so to speak.

And GONE. This procedure works well with black mascara and pigment blush also.

For item which is safe to be laundered by machine, after sufficient color has been re-moved from treated item, it may be added to tepid or cool wash with compatible laundry items.

If the lipstick-stained item has been allowed to sit without immediate treatment (outlined above), it may be necessary after following stain removal procedure to add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide (NO CHLORINE BLEACH) to water in sink and soak item for a few minutes before final rinse; OR, add 1/4 cup to small laundry load in machine to which treated item has been added. This will extricate final traces of red dye or pigment.

For protein fibers, i.e. wool and silk: Apply Eucalan to the underside of the stain, placing a soft, clean rag on reverse side of fabric to pick up residue. Gently work Eucalan in as lipstick is released. Keep moving the cloth as it picks up lipstick residue. Eucalan will be visible on fabric; after 3 or 4 applications, immerse stained item in cool water, and rinse briefly as this will prevent ring from forming. Remove from water and blot to remove excess moisture. Repeat applying Eucalan as above until lipstick residual color is faintly visible. Rinse item in cool water to remove residual traces of color. This is likely to be a slower procedure than cottons and linens as more care must be taken to protect wool and silk surfaces. Be careful not to agitate wool, even in cool water, to avoid felting.

NOTE re Satin surfaces: It is essential that the entire garment be immersed in a Eucalan bath and thoroughly wetted before applying Eucalan topically to surface stain to avoid creating a ring. Apply Eucalan with gentlest pressure so as not to disturb the “floats” which create the lustrous satin finish.