1. Sacrifice a shirt
If you dye your hair on the regular, designate a raggedy button-up shirt to take one for the team.
Always wash your hair dye shirt separately, lest any wet stains transfer to your other clothes.
Last Updated: August 12, 2021
Whether you’re a box dye veteran or you bought a bottle of blue on a whim, slay the stains with our guide on how to remove hair dye from literally everything.
The struggle to remove splotches of goopy dye from the bathroom tile and off your skin is enough to make any at-home colorist want to pull out their freshly-dyed locks.
But don’t worry, we’ve got solutions to help you keep your hair on point without sacrificing your clothes, carpet, or tile.
Wondering who Grove is, what types of products we offer, and how to get a free gift set when you sign up? Learn more about flexible monthly shipments, customizing your shipment, and joining millions of happy households — no monthly fees or commitments required.
Hair dye is one of the toughest stains to remove from clothes, carpets, sinks, and countertops. But all hope is not lost!
No matter what surface your hair dye glommed its way onto, try to treat the stain as soon as you see it. The longer it sits, the harder it’ll be to remove later on.
Inevitably stains aren’t always cleaned up right away though, so this comprehensive guide will show you how to remove dye from the bathtub, your pillowcase, and other miscellaneous places.
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Before you clean any type of fabric, check the care label. Some fabrics have specific instructions on which chemicals not to use.
Learn how to read care labels and decipher washing symbols with this guide.
Don’t wash your fabrics before treating the stain — once a stained garment has been washed and dried, it’s almost impossible to remove the dye.
Before you wash:
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Lead Grove Guide Angela Bell says: “I like to keep a good, enzyme-based stain remover on hand to spot clean clothing. This allows me to embrace my mess-prone life yet still look fresh without washing the entire garment. Just spray onto the stain, allow to sit for a few, and blot clean with a wet cloth.”
These methods work for porcelain enamel, fiberglass, acrylic, and cast iron bathroom appliances.<.p>
For stubborn stains in the tub or sink, move on to the next steps.
Stains still hanging around?
A thick line of hair dye staining your forehead and neck is a rite of passage for DIY dyers, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it for days until it fades.
Use these tips to get those sordid stains off your skin.
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One of our favorite multipurpose soaps is the one and only Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap — read about the time Grove writer Mackenzie tried (almost) all 18 uses.
Your hair is the one place you (hopefully) meant to get hair dye. But what happens when you decide that the green dye you bought makes you look more like a sea witch than an ethereal elf queen?
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Do your kids want in on the fun, too? Let ‘em show their true colors with Fresh Monster’s safe and non-toxic hair coloring chalk.
The best way to remove hair dye stains is to avoid them in the first place.
We’ve got some sage advice for hair dye enthusiasts to stop stains before they get out of hand.
If you dye your hair on the regular, designate a raggedy button-up shirt to take one for the team.
Always wash your hair dye shirt separately, lest any wet stains transfer to your other clothes.
Lay a towel under your feet before you start dying your hair to stop splatters from staining your tile.
If you’ve got a couple crusty towels to spare, cover your sink and countertop with a second towel in lieu of leaving your surfaces unguarded.
Slather your hairline, ears, and neck in petroleum jelly or coconut oil to prevent hair dye from staining your skin.
Be careful not to apply them directly on your hair, or the dye won’t penetrate the hair shaft.
Keep the dye on your head and off the furniture with a plastic processing cap.
These are super cheap at the drugstore, but if you’re in the middle of a midnight dye job and can’t run to the shop, a plastic grocery bag or roll of cellophane will do the trick.
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