How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes

How to Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes

The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu

Hair dye can sometimes get on your clothes or carpet by accident, and getting to a stain as fast as possible is the best way to get it out. The longer you wait, the harder it is to remove this type of stain. Different dye colors require slightly different treatments.

The good news is that you probably have most of these products already in your house, so you can treat the stain as soon as you see it. You might need to repeat the steps more than once to get the spot completely out, but whatever you do, don’t put clothing that still has a hair dye stain on it in the dryer as the heat from the dryer can permanently set the stain. Never rub or scrub the stain either, as it will push it deeper into the fibers of the material.

Read on to learn how to remove hair dye stains.

Stain Type	Dye-based
Detergent Type	High-performing laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid
Water Temperature	Cold
Cycle type	Varies depending on the type of fabric

Click Play to Learn How to Easily Remove Hair Dye Stains From Clothes and Fabrics

Before You Begin

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.

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 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 (Tide or Persil) into the stain using a soft-bristled brush and rinse well.

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, or OXO 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.

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 Red Hair Dye From Clothes

The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu

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.

   The Spruce

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.

   The Spruce

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.

   The Spruce

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.

   The Spruce

Additional Tips for Handling Dye Stains

Unfortunately, if the stain remains on the clothing after these treatments, the dye likely 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 dye stain seems beyond your cleaning efforts, take the garment to the dry cleaners for their expertise. 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.

1. Dangers of Mixing Bleach with Cleaners. Washington State Department of Health.