The Best Way to Remove Hair Dye

Special care must be taken when attempting to remove hair dye from fabric or from hair. Removing stains can be a difficult process depending on the material and how much time has passed since the stain first occurred. Dye stains on upholstery and clothing require immediate attention in order for complete removal. On the other hand, stain removal from your skin is fairly easy and requires little more than finger nail polish and a clean cloth.

Upholstery

Mix 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar with 1 Tbsp. of dishwashing liquid and water into an empty spray bottle. Spray the dye stain and dab the stain using a clean cloth. Spray the mixture and continue dabbing until the stain is removed. Do not use bleach or harsh chemical stain removers as they can easily damage the upholstery. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder is another safe way to clean your upholstery, but should not be used on leather, suede, silk or wool. To use, follow the cleaning instructions by mixing the powder with water and mix until powder has dissolved. Dip a cleaning cloth into the solution and gently rub the stain. Allow the solution to lift the stain by waiting five minutes, followed by using another clean cloth and blotting the area. After blotting, rinse the area and allow it to dry. If the stain remains after attempting to clean, call a professional upholstery cleaning service.

Skin

Fingernail polish remover is one of the fastest ways to remove dye stains from the skin. Take a clean cotton ball and soak it in fingernail polish remover. Rub the cotton ball onto the dye stain until it disappears. If the stain remains, add more fingernail polish remover to the cotton ball and repeat the rubbing process. Toothpaste is also an easy home remedy that helps to remove the stain from your skin. Dab a dime-sized amount of white toothpaste (not gel) onto the stained skin and scrub the area.

Carpet

Similar to removing stains from upholstery, mix 1 Tbsp. of dishwashing liquid with 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar and water. Combine the mixture and dip a cleaning cloth into the solution, followed by rubbing the damp cloth into the stain. Blot the stain with a dry cloth until the stain is removed. Once the stain has disappeared, blot the carpet with cold water to remove the mixture's residue. Pour a dime-sized amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth or cotton ball, and blot the stain again followed by blotting the area with cold water.

Hair

If you or your hair stylist used a semi- or demi-permanent hair dye, the hair dye can be washed out over a period of time. Semi-permanent hair dye can be washed out after five or six shampoos, whereas demi-permanent dye takes between 20 to 25 shampoos. Demi-permanent hair dye is slightly different because it penetrates the cortex and cuticle of the hair. As you shampoo your hair over time the color fades rather than wash out completely. Permanent hair color cannot easily be removed, and should be fixed by a professional hair stylist due to the risk of hair damage. If you hair was dyed a darker color than your original hair color, you can use L'Oreal Hair Color Remover or Color Oops by DeveloPlus to safely remove permanent hair dye. Carefully follow directions as the goal is to avoid over-processing your hair, which can lead to breakage and split ends. If the permanent hair dye used is a hair color lighter than your original color, the only option is to dye your hair a darker color.