It happens to the best of us: you reach for that tube of chapstick, not paying attention to your surroundings, and suddenly there’s a white, waxy stain on your shirt, pants, or favorite pillowcase. But this pro guide teaches you how to get ChapStick out of clothes.
Chapstick (and other wax-based lip balms) can be tricky stains, but you don’t have to be left with a sallow reminder of your absentmindedness.
Before chucking that item in the trash—or facing a hefty dry cleaning bill—try these surprisingly easy steps for removing chapstick from clothing. You won’t even need any special tools!
What You Will Need to Get Chapstick Out of Clothes
Getting chapstick out of clothes can be challenging, but it is possible with the right materials and process.
The first thing you need to do when getting chapstick out of clothes is to gather your supplies. Some dish soap, white vinegar, a soft-bristled brush, and laundry detergent.
Depending on what type of fabric you’re dealing with you may also need some rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Dab at the stain with a damp cloth to remove as much chapstick as possible.
Then mix a dish soap solution and white vinegar; this should be in equal parts.
With a soft-bristled brush, scrub at the stain. Finally, soak the fabric overnight in laundry detergent before washing regularly.
Using this process and the suitable materials should help get that Chapstick out of clothes quickly!
Steps for Removing Chapstick From Fabric
Chances are, you’ve found yourself with a chapstick stain on a piece of clothing or other fabric at least once.
It’s easy to feel hopeless and think the garment is ruined—but never fear! You can take several steps to remove the chapstick safely and effectively.
First, scrape off as much sticky material as possible using a spoon or butter knife. Ensure not to press too hard, as this could cause the chapstick to be ground into the fabric.
Next, place some paper towels beneath and over the stain and use an iron set on low heat – make sure not to touch the fabric with the iron.
This will help soften any remaining chapstick so it can easily be lifted off by blotting with a cloth or sponge.
And if you don’t have an ironing board, no problem; these are simple tips on how to iron without an ironing board.
If any residue remains, douse it in rubbing alcohol and gently scrub it before applying liquid laundry detergent.
After 10 minutes, rinse with cold water and wash as usual in cold water, followed by a cold rinse cycle — that should do the trick!
DIY Solutions for Removing Stains From Chapstick
Removing chapstick stains from your clothes can be tricky, but luckily, you can try DIY solutions.
Disinfectant spray and a rag
One of the most popular methods is spraying the affected area with disinfectant spray and a rag.
Start by cleaning off excess lip balm with a rag. Then spray it liberally with disinfectant. Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes, then wash off in cold water as usual. This can work exceptionally well on cotton fabrics.
Dish soap
Dish soap is excellent for removing stains from fabrics – it’s strong enough to loosen dirt and oils without damaging the fabric.
A teaspoon of dish soap with warm water makes the perfect solution. Apply it to the stain with a soft cloth or sponge.
Rub gently until the stain has started to break up, then rinse with cold water.
Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover
Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover can help break up stubborn stains from chapstick or lip balm on some fabrics, like polyester and nylon.
Dip a cotton ball in either of these liquids and dab at the stain until you start to see results – make sure you do not rub too hard as this could damage the fabric.
Repeat if necessary, then rinse off any remaining residue with cold water.
Tips to Prevent Severe Damage From Chapstick Stains
It’s essential to act quickly to get chapstick out of your clothes, but there are also a few preventive measures to reduce the risk of severe damage caused by chapstick stains.
First, check your pockets and pockets of your clothing before laundering them. This will help prevent any chapstick from transferring from your pocket to a new article of clothing during the wash cycle.
You should also keep stained clothes away from other fabrics in the washing machine, as this will prevent the chapstick stain from transferring onto other items.
Try handwashing or using a spot cleaner to minimize the chances of spreading the chapstick farther within the fabric.
Lastly, avoid using hot water and heat settings on the washing machine or dryer when cleaning a chapstick-stained fabric, as this could make removing it more difficult.
When to Seek Professional Help for a Chapstick Stain
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t get that Chapstick stain out of your favorite clothes.
When this happens, it might be time to seek professional help – and we don’t just mean a dry cleaner!
Check the Care Label
Read the care instructions on your garment’s label. If it says “dry clean only,” that’s what you should do. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can often work wonders on tough chapstick stains!
Use a Cleaning Product
If you feel comfortable using a spot-cleaning product, choose one specifically for chapstick removal or oil-based stains. Follow the directions carefully so you don’t damage the fabric or cause new stains!
Consult an Expert
Sometimes, chapstick stains can set in and become almost permanent fixtures on your clothing.
If that’s the case for one of your favorite items of clothing, consider visiting an expert cleaner like a dry cleaner or leather specialist.
It’s never fun to deal with a Chapstick stain — but getting professional help will ensure it is removed correctly and safely!
Best Practices for Chapstick Storage
Another thing you may have yet to consider is how to store your chapstick to avoid getting it everywhere, especially on your clothes. The good news is that keeping chapstick correctly is easy.
Keeping It Cool and Dry
This rule applies to many things you want to avoid melting in the sun, especially chapstick.
Keep it in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent the wax from melting and getting everywhere.
A Carabiner or Two
An often underrated investment item for chap lovers is a carabiner for each tube of chapstick!
Carabiners make it easy to keep track of your tube when you’re on the go—make sure this carabiner doesn’t get too hot, either!
Putting It in the Fridge
Consider investing in an airtight container and storing it in the fridge!
Not only does this extend its shelf life, but it also keeps it at a consistent temperature so nothing melts or warps over time.
Conclusion
Chapstick stains can be a real pain, but you can get it out of your clothes with a few steps and patience.
Start by dabbing the area with a sponge and warm water before treating the stain with a pre-treatment solution.
If it does not get the satin out, try the soap and water solution, and then use a stain remover if necessary.
No matter what, it’s essential never to rub, scrub, or put chapstick-stained clothes in the dryer, as that can make the stain even harder to remove.
Follow the steps above, and you’ll be on your way to clean, chapstick-free clothes in no time. So the next time you get chapstick on your clothes, don’t despair—you know exactly what to do!