How to Remove Chapstick Stains

By Matt Oden | Comments | Oil and Wax Stains → Chapstick

Chapstick works wonders on keeping chapped lips soft, but it also causes tough stains. Removing Chapstick stains is often a matter of working fast. Attack the stain as soon as you see it, and your chances of removing it completely are much higher. It doesn't matter if you've accidentallly smeared chapstick on your clothes or if it has melted onto them, the method for removing chapstick stains follows the same basic process.

Removing the Wax from a Chapstick Stain

The first step to removing a chapstick stain is removing the wax/grease. Use a blunt knife to carefully lift any excess chapstick from the surface of the fabric. If the clothing has already been through the dryer, the wax will be melted into the fabric. The heat from a dryer is often hot enough to set stains. Successful removing melted-in chapstick stains depends on they type of fabric, heat of the dryer and the chapstick ingredients.

Start by applying a grease-removing cleaner to the fabric. There are numerous cleaners that will work to remove chapstick stains. They include:

Mild dishwashing liquid
Mechanic's water-free hand cleaner
Liquid castile soap

1. Apply a generous amount of the cleaner to the chapstick stain. Rub it into the stain and allow to penetrate the fabric for up to fifteen minutes.

2. Add a small amount of warm water and gently rub the stained area with your fingers. Work the cleaner throughout the stained area.

3. Rinse thoroughly under warm, running water.

If the stain persists, repeat the process. If the stain still remains, you will need to treat it using a solvent.

Removing a Chapstick Stain Using a Solvent

Solvents dissolve the ability of grease-based stains to hold onto fabrics. They are often considered a last-chance option because most households do not readily have them available. Some commercial stain removers contain grease-removing solvents, but they are included at low levels. Using a drycleaning solvent can successfully remove the majority of stubborn chapstick stains.

What You'll Need Before You Start:

Dry cleaning solvent, such as perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene
Clean, white towels
Heavy-duty laundry detergent

Place a folded, white towel on the backside of the stained material. This prevents the solvent from soaking though to the other side of a garment. Use another clean, white towel to gently sponge dry cleaning solvent over the stained area. Be generous, but try to keep the solvent over the stained area. Allow to penetrate for a few minutes.

Use another cloth to apply a layer of liquid, heavy-duty laundry detergent on top of the drycleaning solvent. Then launder as normal using laundry detergent.

Removing Chapstick Dye from Fabric

In the majority of chapstick stains, the removal of the greasy wax portion of the stain erases the dye stain. The stain may remain if the chapstick was heavily tinted or melted into the fabric.

What You'll Need Before You Start:

All-fabric bleach
Liquid chlorine bleach
Heavy-duty laundry detergent

Apply a thick layer of heavy-duty laundry detergent to the stained area. Allow to remain on the stain for up to 15 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly under running water.
Soak the entire garment in all-fabric bleach, diluted according to package directions.
Launder using heavy-duty laundry detergent.

If the fabric is white and bleach-safe, you can use chlorine bleach. Soak the entire garment, not just the stained area, in a diluted solution of bleach and water. Then launder as normal.

Removing Chapstick Stains from Upholstery

Sometimes a chapstick slips from your pocket and winds up on your sofa or car upholstery. You can avoid messing with wetting and blotting the upholstery by simply using a drycleaning solvent. It is advisable to test the solvent in a hidden area to ensure it will not harm the fabric.

What You'll Need Before You Start:

Dull knife
Clean, white cloth
Drycleaning solvent

Scrape off any excess chapstick from the surface of the upholstery using a dull knife. Avoid pushing or smearing the wax into the fabric. Saturate a portion of a clean, white cloth with drycleaning solvent. Blot over the area. Continue applying solvent to the area until the stain is removed. There is no need to rinse.

Removing Chapstick Stains from Carpet

What You'll Need Before You Start:

Dull knife
Mild dishwashing liquid
White vinegar
Warm water
Clean, white towels
Dry cleaning solvent

Remove any excess chapstick from the carpet using a dull knife.
Combine 1 tablespoon mild dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 cups warm water. Stir.
Dip a white towel in the detergent solution and sponge over the stained area.
Allow to rest for several minutes.
Blot with a dry towel.
Rinse by blotting with a clean, damp towel.
Blot dry.

If the stain remains after the carpet is dry, blot the area with a clean, white cloth and dry cleaning solution. Continue blotting with the solution until the stain is removed. No rinsing is required.

Chapstick stains can often be removed using simple cleaners already found in your home. Those that aren't easily removed may require the use of a solvent-based cleaner. If the chapstick melted into your clothing in the dryer, it may also be on the surfaces of your dryer. Take a few mintues to wipe your dryer out using a mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid, followed by clean water. This ensures that your next load of laundry comes out chapstick free.