How To Get Melted Chapstick Out Of Clothing (Step-by-Step Guide)
Do you know that feeling when, on opening the door of your dryer, you see the unmistakable signs of oily residue smeared all over your clothing? (We hope you said no!) Not only do you have to clean your dryer, but you’re also stuck trying to figure out exactly how to get the melted Chapstick out of your clothing. However, don’t worry, we have the answer for you!
To get melted Chapstick out of your clothing, you first need to remove any of the excess goop or residue by using a blunt knife or spoon. Afterward, pretreat the area with heavy-duty stain remover or laundry detergent before tossing it in the laundry. Make sure you don’t wash the area with hot water as this will melt the Chapstick into the fabric, instead of removing it.
This article will guide you through the necessary steps to take if you have a Chapstick mishap. By acting quickly, you can save your favorite clothing from the hard to treat, oily stains. Also, you will save on the money it will cost to replace that specific garment.
The First Step To Removing Melted Chapstick From Your Clothing
Chapstick, lip balms, and other lip ointments consist of a combination of wax, oils, and even colorings if the balm is in a specific shade. To remove stains for clothes, it’s essential to deal with each of the components without delay. It is not always an easy process, but it is possible to do at home, using a few household ingredients.
Materials You Will Need:
- Blunt knife/ spoon/ credit card
- Brush with soft bristles brush
- Soaking basin
- Stain remover or heavy-duty laundry detergent
- Oxygen-based bleach
How To Remove Melted Chapstick From Clothing
Step 1: Scrape Off The Residue
Using the blunt edge of a knife, a spoon, or a credit-card shaped piece of plastic, scrape any residue off the fabric. Do not rub it. Scraping gently will loosen the wax, so it doesn’t work its way more deeply into the fabric’s fibers.
Step 2: Pretreat With Detergent
Examine each piece of stained clothing with care and cover each mark with an enzyme-based stain removal product. Using your fingers or a brush, work the product into the fabric, then let it stay on the stain for 30 minutes or more.
If you don’t have a stain-remover available, substitute it with some laundry detergent such as Persil or Tide. The enzymes in these products can dissolve the Chapstick’s oily remains and loosen it away from the fabric’s fibers.
Step 3: Rewash And Check
Once you’ve given the necessary time for the stain remover to work, rewash your clothes in the hottest water permitted by the garment care label. When the cycle is complete, if the stains persist, repeat the steps for stain removal one or more times before attempting to dry the clothes.
Step 4: Use Vinegar
If you’ve found that you cannot get the Chapstick out of your clothing, try soaking your garments in vinegar. The vinegar will help break up the binding agents within the ointment, allowing it to break free from the fabric fibers.
If you decide to soak your clothing in vinegar, you need to do this for at least 6 to 8 hours. You can also do it overnight. However, make sure that it’s not suede, leather, or another type of specialty material as vinegar can ruin these.
How To Get The Smell Of Vinegar Out Of Your Clothing?
To get the smell of vinegar out of your clothing, you can wash your clothing normally. Except the only difference is that you will add baking soda to the rinse cycle. When your washer is on its final rinse, add a half cup of baking soda to your clothing. The baking soda will work by eliminating the vinegar smell. Afterward, you can wash your clothes a second time and use a scent booster to make your clothes smell nice and fresh.
What Should I Do If Chapstick Melted Into My Pocket?
If you are out and about and discover that Chapstick has melted into your pocket, you need to get the excess amount out immediately. Afterward, you can put some corn starch or talcum powder in your pocket. The powder will help to keep the Chapstick from sinking into the fabric even further until you get home.
As soon as you get home, though, you’ll want to turn your pocket inside out and soak it in vinegar for about 6 to 8 hours. Then throw your clothes in the laundry, and you should be good to go. However, the good news is that even if it stains, it may not be noticeable.
How To Remove Chapstick From The Dryer
When you have successfully removed the Chapstick from your clothes, you won’t want to go through this hassle again. So, ensure you take time to locate the offending Chapstick tube and inspect the dryer drum to see that none of the product is clinging to it.
Materials you will need:
- Enzyme-based laundry detergent
- Distilled white vinegar
- Tools
- Clean rag
- Ingredients for removing Chapstick residue from a washer: ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena
- Liquid Detergent
If some waxy residue remains in the drum of your washer, place some laundry soap on a clean white rag to remove it. Soak the rag in hot (not warm) water, put it on the wax, and, when it melts, rub it away.
Use Vinegar In The Dryer Drum
If the remains of the lip balm are in the dryer, place some wet rags inside and run it on a high heat setting for around 5 minutes. This will be sufficient to melt the wax partially. Next, use a rag soaked in distilled white vinegar, and wipe away all the visible waxy stains. Once it’s all gone wipe the drum one more time, this time with a clean rag soaked in water.
Removing Melted Colored Chapstick From Clothing
Finally, if the colored lip balm is the culprit and colored smears on your fabric, use some oxygen-based bleach. This type of product will deal with the stains but not damage your clothes.
Following the pack’s instructions, mix the product with warm water. Allow the stained clothes to soak for a minimum of 2 hours, or, even better, overnight. This should remove the dye, and the clothes will be ready for a standard laundering.
A few great oxygen-based cleaning products are:
- OxiClean
- Clorox 2
- Nellie’s Natural Oxygen Brightener
Tip For Preventing Chapstick Mishaps
We all understand that it’s a good idea to check pockets before loading clothes into the washing machine or dryer. However, mistakes do happen, and sometimes this vital step can get forgotten. To avoid messy accidents, use the lip balm on a key ring or similar metal clip. Keys are more likely to be noticed if they are left inside pockets. In the event that they do make it into the dryer, the noise will alert you.
Related Questions
How do you store melted Chapstick?
If you find that your Chapstick has melted, you can place it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Make sure its right side up so that the Chapstick doesn’t harden into the cap or the lid.
At what temperature does Chapstick melt?
Chapstick melts at about 90 to 100 degrees. This means that not only can it melt in a dryer, but it can also melt in your pocket or a hot car. If you know it’s going to be hot; you can place the Chapstick into a plastic baggy to ensure there is no mess.
How do you keep Chapstick from melting in your car?
To keep Chapstick from melting in your car, you will need to place it in a cool, dark place. A great place to store it would be in your glove compartment, middle console, or even under your seat.
Our Takeaway
Chapstick melts very easily and quickly. Therefore, it’s a good idea not to have it in your pockets when it’s hot out. This is also why it’s a good idea to check your laundry before throwing it in the washer and dryer. Taking the time to review your pockets will save you the endless hours it takes to keep your clothing from being stained. While checking your pockets may feel inconvenient, we’re willing to bet it’s even more problematic for you to deal with the consequences.
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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