How to Remove Hair Dye From White Shag Carpet

Soap, water and vinegar can remove hair dye stains.

Hair dye is designed to stain the hair follicles for lasting added color. Although the stain has a desired effect on the hair, it may not be desired on furniture, upholstery or carpet. Fortunately, there is a cleaning solution in the event that your shag carpet becomes soiled. The faster you act on the stain, the easier it will be to eliminate.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups cool water
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp liquid hand dish soap
• Clean white cloth
• 1 tbsp ammonia

Instructions

1. Combine two cups of water with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing soap. Stir the ingredients in a cup for easy pouring.

2. Pour a small amount of the solution over the stained area on the shag carpet.

3. Use the clean white towel to blot the area. By applying pressure, you will absorb the dye into the towel. Continue to blot until most or all of the stain disappears.

4. Add more of the cleaning solution and blot repeatedly if the stain persists.

5. Cover the stained area with cold water and soak it up with a dry portion of the white towel. Depending on the materials that your shag carpet is made of, you can use ammonia as a final spot treatment for particularly stubborn stains. Carpets made of wool or treated nylon fibers should not be cleaned with ammonia. On all other types of carpet, do a spot test in an inconspicuous area to make sure there are no adverse effects.

Tips & Warnings

• Ammonia should be used as a last resort since it is known to irritate the eyes and lungs. Also, pets should not be exposed to it.

References

• Good Housekeeping: How to Remove Hair Dye from Carpet
• RepairHome: Carpet Cleaning Solutions
• Dr Weil: Are Conventional Household Cleaners Safe
• Alpine Carpet Cleaning: Cleaning Your Carpet