The hair dyeing process is messy. Even seasoned experts have the occasional slip-up and get hair dye in unwanted places. But when your new brunette shade of dye splashes on your go-to blouse, you may panic and wonder how to get hair dye out of clothes.
Some hair dyes are harder to remove than others. No matter what your case is, we have several helpful tips on how to wash out that stubborn dye. Time to dig in!
Rules to Live by When Trying to Get Hair Dye out of Clothes
When dealing with hair dye, don’t ever forget these golden rules.
- Get started removing the hair dye as soon as humanly possible. the longer a stain soaks into the clothing item, the harder it is to remove.
- Try taking out the stain before you throw a clothing item into the washing machine and dryer. if a stained shirt gets into the dryer, the stain can become more permanent.
- Do a spot check with your stain-removing chemical on a hidden part of your shirt, if possible.
- Don’t mess with dry-clean-only clothes. You need to take those to the dry cleaner.
- Preventing stains is way easier than dealing with them after the fact! Wear old clothes or dark-colored clothes when getting your hair dyed to avoid ruining any of your favorite garments.
How to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes: 5 Ways
Before giving up on your blouse, check out these methods of removing hair dye. They’re quick, effective, and you probably already have the cleaning substances at home.
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Hairspray for the Win
Speaking of hair products, did you know hairspray can help get those tough hair dye stains out of clothes? It may come as a surprise, but it’s true!
Grab your bottle of hairspray to get started. As with any hair-dye-removal method, do a spot test first to ensure it doesn’t make matters worse for the fabric.
Spray the stain mark directly with your hairspray. Don’t be shy; spray generously. Then, immediately soak the stained clothing item in a tub of warm water.
Gently wash the garment in warm water, using a bit of laundry detergent.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is pretty tough on stains, so why not give it a try with your hair dye dilemma?
For best results, pour that laundry soap straight onto the stain and rub it in with your hands. Hand-wash the clothing item using warm water.
Get in there with a brush, too, if the fabric isn’t too delicate. Brush the laundry detergent into the stained area. Rinse thoroughly. Do not put it in the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone!
White Vinegar Can Remove Dye Stains
This slightly acidic household staple will certainly help you tackle your hair dye stains. Distilled white vinegar isn’t harmful to most fabrics, either. Just mix one part water and one part vinegar, and gently wash the stain out.
Liquid Chlorine Bleach for Hair Dye on White Clothes
Bleach tackles soiled shirts by whitening and brightening them. Of course, you should only use bleach to treat stains on white shirts.
Since the bleaching method is only compatible with white clothes, you might not need to go this route. But for white clothes, there’s no better way to effectively wash out hair dye.
Specialty Stain Removers for Getting Rid of Hair Dye on Clothes
Are you a frequent dyer? Do you tend to spill food or drinks on your clothes? If so, you’re not alone. That’s why there are so many effective products out there to help remove stained spots from clothes.
Take the Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, for instance. Besides having a zesty scent, it’s versatile. It’s tough. And it’s a professional-grade stain remover. Look for all-in-one stain removal solutions like this one, if you decide to go for one!
Spot stain removers typically remove any type of stain, not just hair dye. Spilled red wine on your dress? They’ll help. Wiped your fingers on your white pants after handling turmeric? Stain removers can help with that, too. The possibilities are endless!
Take Dry Clean Only Clothes Straight to the Cleaners
We said it before, and we’ll say it again. Don’t attempt to fix dry-clean-only clothes yourself. Just don’t. You’ll likely end up damaging the fabric (possibly beyond repair).
Always check the tag on your garments to see if they say “machine washable” or “dry clean only.” When you head over to the dry cleaners, let them know about the stain. They’ll probably see it, but just mention it to be safe.
With a good dry cleaner, your stained clothes will come back as good as new!
The Takeaway: Removing Hair Dye is Tough, Not Impossible
To wrap it up, use a few simple strategies to quickly and effectively remove hair dye from clothing items. Try to avoid getting hair dye in unwanted places, of course, but if you make a mistake, act fast. Use a product like white vinegar, bleach, or a stain remover. With a little effort, you’ll safely remove the hair dye.
Speaking of hair dye, how’s your hair looking? Is it freshly colored, shiny, healthy, and smooth? Or is it feeling a bit dry and looking a bit flaky? If you’re struggling with dandruff issues, check out our color-safe dandruff shampoo choices.
