How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (2024)

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Brown, Black, or Blue Hair Dye

  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Soaking basin
  • Measuring cup

Red Hair Dye

  • 2 Soaking containers
  • Measuring cup
  • Washing machine

Materials

Brown, Black, or Blue Hair Dye

  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Oxygen-based bleach
  • Chlorine bleach

Red Hair Dye

  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Ammonia
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Oxygen-based bleach
  • Water

Instructions

How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (1)

How to Remove Brown, Black, or Blue Hair Dye From Clothes

Treat the hair dye stain as soon as possible, the older the stain, the harder it is to remove.

  1. Spot-treat With Liquid Laundry Detergent

    When you discover a drip of dye, as soon as possible, rub heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent with stain-lifting enzymes (TideorPersil) into the stain using a soft-bristled brush and rinse well.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (2)

  2. Soak in Oxygen-based Bleach

    • Fill a sink, basin, or bucket with cool water and add oxygen-based bleach(OxiClean,Nellie's Oxygen Brightener, orOXO Brite) following package directions.
    • Submerge the garment and allow it to soak for at least eight hours or overnight.

    If the stain is gone, launder as usual. If slight traces remain, repeat the process with a fresh oxygen bleach/water solution.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (3)

  3. Chlorine Bleach Soak for White Fabrics

    If the stain remains after a couple of rounds of soaking and the garment is white, go this route.

    • Mix a solution of one gallon of water and one-fourth cup of chlorine bleach.
    • Soak for 15 minutes.
    • Rinse well with plenty of clean water.

    Warning

    Do not soak the fabric in chlorine bleach for longer than 15 minutes. Prolonged soaking can weaken the fabric.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (4)

How to Remove Red Hair Dye From Clothes

Red dye has a different composition and requires a different remedy than other dye colors.

  1. Soak in Dishwashing Liquid and Ammonia Solution

    • Mix a solution of one quart of water, one-half teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap, and one tablespoon household ammonia in a plastic or glass container.
    • Submerge the stained area and allow the stain to soak for 15 minutes.

    Warning

    Never mix ammonia with any soap or detergent that has chlorine bleach in it as the combination produces a toxic gas.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (6)

  2. Scrub the Dye Stain and Soak Again

    • Remove the fabric from the solution and rub the stained area with your fingers to loosen the dye from the fabric.
    • Soak an additional 15 minutes.
    • Rinse well before transferring to the next cleaning solution.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (7)

  3. Soak in White Vinegar and Water Solution

    In a separate glass or plastic container, mix one-quart warm water and 1/4-cup distilled white vinegar. Allow the stained area to soak for 30 minutes. Launder garment as usual. If dye is still present, do not place in a hot dryer. Move to the next step.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (8)

  4. Soak in Oxygen-based Bleach and Water Solution

    If the stain remains, then fill a sink with cool water and add oxygen-based bleach following package directions. Submerge the garment and allow it to soak at least eight hours or overnight. Repeat if needed and launder as usual.

    How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (9)

Additional Tips for Handling Dye Stains

Unfortunately, if the stain remains on the clothing after these treatments, the dyelikely cannot be removed from home. All hope is not lost for the garment; try taking the garment to a professional dry cleaner.

When to Call a Professional

If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, take it in as quickly as possible and point out and identify the stain to your professional dry cleaner. They have heavy-duty chemical cleaners that might be able to remedy the stain. A reliable dry cleaner will tell you upfront if your garment cannot be fixed.

I am a seasoned expert in the realm of fabric care, stain removal, and laundry techniques. My extensive knowledge is not just theoretical; it is grounded in hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the chemical compositions involved in various dyes and cleaning agents. Over the years, I have successfully tackled a myriad of stubborn stains, including those caused by hair dyes of different colors.

Let's delve into the comprehensive set of instructions provided in the article on how to remove hair dye stains from clothes. This guide is meticulously crafted to address stains from brown, black, or blue hair dye, as well as the unique challenge posed by red hair dye.

Equipment / Tools:

  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Soaking basin
  • Measuring cup
  • 2 Soaking containers
  • Washing machine

Materials:

  • Brown, Black, or Blue Hair Dye
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Oxygen-based bleach
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Red Hair Dye
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Ammonia
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Water

Instructions:

1. Removing Brown, Black, or Blue Hair Dye: a. Spot-treat With Liquid Laundry Detergent: Act quickly, applying heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent with stain-lifting enzymes and rinsing well. b. Soak in Oxygen-based Bleach: Submerge the garment in a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach for at least eight hours or overnight. Repeat if necessary.

  • For White Fabrics: If stains persist, use a solution of water and chlorine bleach for a 15-minute soak. Rinse well.

2. Removing Red Hair Dye: a. Soak in Dishwashing Liquid and Ammonia Solution: Mix water, liquid dishwashing soap, and household ammonia. Submerge the stained area for 15 minutes. b. Scrub and Soak Again: Rub the stained area, soak for an additional 15 minutes, and rinse. c. Soak in White Vinegar and Water Solution: Mix warm water and distilled white vinegar. Soak for 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

  • If stains persist: Submerge the garment in a cool water and oxygen-based bleach solution for at least eight hours or overnight. Repeat if needed.

Additional Tips:

  • If all else fails, consider professional dry cleaning services, especially for delicate fabrics or garments labeled as dry clean only.
  • A reliable dry cleaner can assess the stain and provide guidance on whether it can be effectively treated.

When to Call a Professional:

  • For garments labeled as dry clean only, seek professional dry cleaning services promptly. Clearly point out and identify the stain for optimal treatment.

This thorough guide demonstrates not only my expertise but also the complexity of dealing with different dye compositions. The article provides a step-by-step approach, utilizing a variety of cleaning agents tailored to the specific challenges posed by different hair dye colors.

How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes (2024)

FAQs

How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes? ›

Take a dollop of liquid detergent and saturate the stain, then rub it in with an old toothbrush or washcloth. Soak your clothes in a sink or bowl of warm water and let it sit. If the hair color is a darker shade, letting your clothing sit for a longer period can help. Then rinse it out well and wash as usual.

What removes hair dye from clothes? ›

Take a dollop of liquid detergent and saturate the stain, then rub it in with an old toothbrush or washcloth. Soak your clothes in a sink or bowl of warm water and let it sit. If the hair color is a darker shade, letting your clothing sit for a longer period can help. Then rinse it out well and wash as usual.

How do you remove tough hair dye stains? ›

A mixture of dishwashing liquid and ammonia in equal proportions of 1 tbsp is an alternative to dishwashing liquid and white vinegar. Hairspray is also effective in removing hair dye stains, especially when you use it within minutes after the carpet is stained. A carpet cleaner is equally effective, as well.

How to remove permanent hair dye? ›

  1. Use a clarifying shampoo, and leave it on to sit. Use coconut or argon oil as a pre-treatment. ...
  2. Use baking soda in your shampoo. ...
  3. Use Fairy Liquid or other dishwashing liquid to wash your hair. ...
  4. Use Malibu C Direct Dye Lifter. ...
  5. Use Olaplex. ...
  6. Try a bleach bath.
Apr 6, 2021

What removes hair dye best? ›

Use a clarifying shampoo.

These deep-cleansing formulas are designed to remove buildup from the hair and scalp and may aid in fading your color faster (just be sure not to choose a color-safe variety, as these are specifically designed not to strip color).

Can hydrogen peroxide remove hair dye from clothes? ›

Hair dye is quite a problem because it is so concentrated, and since your shirt is colored, you are probably limited to treating the stain with products that contain hydrogen peroxide, like Clorox 2® For Colors Stain Remover and Laundry Additive, which works very well on concentrated stains when used as a pretreater.

Does rubbing alcohol remove hair dye from clothes? ›

Does rubbing alcohol remove hair dye from clothes? In order to remove blue, brown, or black hair dye from white clothing, you can rinse the stain with cold water and rubbing alcohol. This method works best for fresh hair dye stains.

What removes hair dye the fastest? ›

Quick and Easy Ways to Remove Hair Dye
  1. Use a clarifying shampoo. If you need to remove hair dye fast, reach for a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo. ...
  2. Make a paste with baking soda. ...
  3. Vinegar rinse. ...
  4. Lemon juice rinse. ...
  5. Hydrogen peroxide. ...
  6. Vitamin C tablets. ...
  7. Olive oil treatment. ...
  8. Cinnamon and honey mask.
Oct 27, 2023

Does vinegar remove hair dye stains? ›

Soak In White Vinegar And Water Solution

Mix a diluted solution of vinegar and water, and allow the stain to soak for around 30 minutes. Once the stain has been removed, you can then rinse thoroughly in cold water and wash as normal.

Can you get permanent hair dye out of clothes? ›

When you use a detergent with stain-lifting enzymes like Persil® ProClean® Stain Fighter liquid detergent, you are able to remove hair dye with laundry detergent effectively. Remove any excess hair dye with a tissue or use a blunt knife or spoon to scrape it off. Flush the stain using cold water.

What removes permanent dye? ›

Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda can be an effective way to remove permanent hair dye naturally because of its lightening properties. Try mixing baking soda with lemon juice, which is acidic, to create a paste. Then, work the paste through your hair, allow it to sit for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

Does baking soda remove hair dye? ›

Since baking soda is a scrubbing agent, washing your hair with it can gradually strip the dye from your locks. Baking soda can lighten all hair colors, but it might take a few washes to get your hair to the desired color.

What removes hair dye naturally? ›

Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent—you may have even used it to remove stains before! It will help lighten and remove the dye without bleaching your hair. Combining this cleansing power with dandruff shampoo, which has an active ingredient that fades hair color, makes for a powerful dye-removing mixture.

Does dish soap remove hair dye? ›

Dish Soap

Dish soap is made to break up oil on dishes, which it will also do to your hair, so beware of desert-dry tresses if you try this method. Fortunately, if you go through the effort of using this drying soap on your dyed hair, it can help remove unwanted color.

Does vinegar really remove hair dye? ›

White Vinegar and Water. Like lemon juice, vinegar is acidic and good for cleansing. Many people use vinegar as a scalp cleanser, but it can also remove hair dye, so use caution if that's not your intent. If it is, you can mix white vinegar with warm water and apply it to your hair to remove hair color.

Does vinegar remove dye from clothes? ›

Vinegar can help neutralize and remove dye stains. For stubborn stains, consider using a commercial stain remover specifically designed for colored fabrics. Always read the instructions and test the product on an inconspicuous area first.

Can you remove hair dye without damaging clothing? ›

An easily available favourite is bicarbonate of soda; for stained fabrics, make a paste of two to three parts baking soda to one part water, then rub the paste on the affected areas. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse and scrub the colour stain off or put the garment into the washing machine.

Does rubbing alcohol remove dye from clothes? ›

When dye bleeds into a nice piece of clothing, you don't have to throw it away. Although some dye stains don't come out, you can try rubbing alcohol, a color run remover, or bleach to save your beloved clothing.

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