Hair Dye Stain Removal Guide

Hair dye stain removal is something you need to know a little about, preferably before you begin dying your or a friend or family member's hair.

That is because hair dye is, after all, a dye. That means it is, by definition, supposed to stain something, namely hair.

Unfortunately, if not applied properly, or if it drips or spills it can stain other things, such as clothing, upholstery and carpet, along with your skin and other areas of your home.

Please remember that with all the methods I've listed below the faster you treat the stain the better, and the more likely you are going to be able to remove the spot.

Hair Dye Stain Removal From Clothing And Other Washable Fabrics

Before beginning the stain removal process determine if the washable fabric you are removing the hair dye stain from can be bleached with chlorine bleach or not, by looking at the care label tag.

Hint: If this is not clear, you can also do a test for colorfastness with chlorine bleach using the instructions listed in the linked article on this site.

If the item can take being bleached with household bleach then proceed to Removal Method A, but if not proceed instead to Removal Method B.

Both of the methods below require you to launder the fabric. If you cannot do that right away blot at the stain with rubbing alcohol to help loosen the stain until you have time to do the procedure listed below.

Method A: (Steps to follow if the fabric can be bleached with chlorine bleach.)

Step 1: Mix a solution of 1 gallon cool water and 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach in a clean bucket.

Step 2: Immerse the stained fabric in the solution for approximately half an hour.

Hint: I don't normally suggest leaving fabric in a presoaking solution of chlorine bleach for this long, but instead normally say to leave it in for only about five minutes. However, hair dye is really hard to remove, so I am suggesting leaving it longer than normal. However, please know that the longer you soak in chlorine bleach the more risk you run of weakening the fibers, or fading the clothing.

Step 3: Rinse the fabric and then launder as usual.

Method B: (Steps to follow if the fabric cannot be bleached with chlorine bleach.)

Step 1: Mix a solution of 1 gallon cool water and one cup of ammonia in a clean bucket.

Step 2: Get another bucket or large bowl and stretch the stained fabric taut over the opening of the bowl, securing with a large rubber band or clips.

Step 3: Pour the ammonia solution slowly over the taut fabric, and let the solution drain through the fabric into the other bowl or bucket.

Step 4: Rinse the fabric and then launder as usual.

CAUTION: Do not use both chlorine bleach and ammonia for your hair dye stain removal process. Combining ammonia and chlorine bleach will cause a chemical reaction which produces a potentially deadly gas and fumes.

In addition, I've collected additional tips from readers with their methods for hair dye removal here, which include home remedies suggested by cosmetologists.

How To Remove Hair Dye Stains From Upholstery

Step 1: Mix a solution of two cups cool water, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and one tablespoon of white vinegar.

Step 2: Using this solution, sponge the stain from the hair dye with a clean white cloth.

Hint: For each of these hair dye stain removal solutions suggested be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain from the hair dye.

Step 3: Next, blot at the stain until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the stains are removed from the upholstery, or at least as much of the stain as possible.

Hint: If the stain is especially stubborn try leaving the solution on the upholstery for approximately half an hour, blotting every five minutes with more solution and a new clean white cloth.

Step 5: Now get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Step 6: If the stain is removed, stop. If not, next, sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol, blotting at the spot until as much of the stain comes off as possible.

Step 7: Now get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the rubbing alcohol, and then blot dry.

Step 8: If the stain is removed, stop. If not, next, mix a solution of two cups cool water, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and one tablespoon of ammonia.

Step 9: Using this solution, sponge the stain from the hair dye with a clean white cloth.

Hint: Ammonia can be harmful to some upholstery so be sure to spot test this stain removing solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure you will not harm your upholstery.

Step 10: Sponge the upholstery with the ammonia solution, blotting at the hair dye stain until the stain is removed.

Hint: If the stain is especially stubborn try leaving the solution on the upholstery for approximately half an hour, blotting every five minutes with more solution and a new clean white cloth.

Step 11: Now get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the ammonia solution, and then blot dry.

Step 12: If all else fails try using an eye dropper to apply a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide to the stained area.

Hint: Hydrogen peroxide can sometimes remove the color from the upholstery or carpet along with the hair dye. Therefore, for this last ditch hair dye stain removal method first test the hydrogen peroxide in an inconspicuous location of the upholstery to make sure you will not harm it.

You can get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Removing Hair Dye Stains From Carpet

The instructions for hair dye stain removal from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

How To Remove The Drips & Spills From Hard Surfaces

Not only does this stuff drip on fabrics and carpets, but also on your hard surfaces, such as your sinks and counters.

I've gathered up tips for removing these spills and drips from hard surfaces here that you can check out if this is a problem for you.

Hair Dye Stain Removal From Skin

When dying your hair the best thing to do is to prevent your skin from getting dyed too, by protecting it.

I have recently read the book The Hair Color Mix Book: More Than 150 Recipes for Salon-Perfect Color at Home by Lorri Goddard-Clark. In that book she suggests making your own triple-barrier cream around your face to keep hair dye from staining your face while you apply it to your hair. (If you like to dye your hair at home it is a great resource with lots of great tips and tricks for professional looking results at home.)

Hair Color Mix Book {Referral Links}

Her recipe is to first apply lotion, then Vaseline petroleum jelly, and then Carmex lip balm over top of each other around your hair line. Only after you do this should you apply the dye. In addition, you should definitely wear plastic gloves when applying the dye to protect your hands from stains too.

In addition, I've collected tips and home remedies for removing hair dye from skin here, that you can read (along with several videos) for ideas of how to remove these stains from your skin if you get them.

How To Remove Permanent Hair Color From Your Hair

I am not a beauty expert, but I get questions all the time about hair dye stain removal from the hair itself. For example, I got this question from a reader asking for hair color removal help wanting to know about using a household cleaning product to remove the color dye from her hair.

As big of a fan as I am of various house cleaning supplies and stain removers, I would not suggest using products not designed for use on human beings for your hair.

Instead, there are products called hair color remover which you apply to your hair, which remove the dye from it. You can find out more about them, and my recommendations, by clicking on the link.

Hair Color Remover {Referral Links}

Submit Your Own Stain Removal Tip For Hair Dye

Do you have your own stain removal tip for removing stains from hair dye? If so, submit your tip here, or read other tips already submitted.

In addition, have you used a stain remover which worked well for hair dye stain removal? If so, you can submit your stain remover review here, to tell me all about it, and how it worked for you.

Finally, as you may have guessed, this is one of the top Halloween spots and spills. You can check out my article for removing the top 10 Halloween stains here, if you're a victim of such a scary problem!

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Fifth photo by ryanrocketship

Related Pages You May Enjoy

A-Z Guide: Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

Go From Hair Dye Stain Removal To Home Page

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.