How to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes Quickly and Safely

Published by Hala Zaqqout on January 10, 2022 | Last updated on May 15, 2023

You intended to dye your hair rather than your clothes, but accidents do happen.

Unfortunately, those of us using hair dye still struggle with one major issue: how to get hair dye out of clothes afterward.

It’s best to act immediately when you get hair dye out of clothes while it is still wet to avoid the stain setting and permanently damaging the fabric.

Are you looking for an easy way to get hair dye out of clothes? Don’t panic, CleanersAdvisor is here to help!

In this article, we will help you with a few methods that should remove the hair dye from your clothes. So just follow these steps to get rid of that pesky hair dye off of your clothes.

Can I get Hair Dye Out of Clothes?

After all, hair dye stains are dyes, and dyes are made to leave stains. If you have hair dye stains on your clothes, address them as soon as possible with a washing detergent like Ariel or Vanish that contains bleaching agents that act as a hair dye remover from clothes.

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Why Can’t I Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes Easily?

Hair dye is a chemical substance that is designed to last for a long time. We purchase hair dyes that provide long-lasting color as this makes our hair color stay longer. Stains, on the other hand, will persist unless they are treated swiftly and effectively.

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How to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes?

To remove hair color from your clothes, You’ll need to act immediately to avoid the pigment from setting into the fabric.

However, do not wash fabrics before treating the stain; once a stained garment has been washed and dried, removing the color is nearly impossible. We’ve got a few tips that will help you to get hair dye out of clothes.

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Tools You’ll Need to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes

• Water
• Hairspray
• Washtub
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Stain remover spray
• Soft bristle toothbrush
• Dish soap
• Scrub brush
• Microfiber cloth
• Oxygen bleach
• Ammonia
• Distilled White Vinegar
• Washing Machine

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How to Get Brown, Black, or Blue Hair Dye Out of Clothes

1. Rinse the Stain with Cold Water or Alcohol

Some hair stains are gloppy and thick. Spray hairspray on the stain right away and hold the stained area under cold water before doing anything else. If there’s any goop left, scrape it away with a dull knife. 

2. Spot-treat with Liquid Laundry Detergent

When you notice a dye stain on your garments, use a good quality liquid laundry detergent (Persil ProClean Stain Fighter liquid detergent or Vanish Oxi Advance Multi-Power Gel) or stain removal pre-treatment as soon as possible.

Scrub the stain with a soft-bristled brush, then rinse well with a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent containing stain-lifting enzymes (Tide or Persil).

3. Soak in Oxygen-based Bleach

Fill the sink or a large bowl with cool water, then add color-safe oxygen-based bleach according to package guidelines. Allow the clothing to soak for at least 8 hours.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 if Necessary

5. Chlorine bleach soak for white fabrics

Mix 1 gallon of water with 1/4 cup chlorine bleach if your garment can be bleached. Allow the garment to soak for no more than 15 minutes.

Launder the clothing as usual if the stain is gone after properly cleaning them. If soaking in chlorine bleach fails to remove the stain, nothing else will.

6. Wash it in the Washing Machine

Launder as usual once the stain is gone. It’s fine to wash the garment in a washing machine at any point during the cleaning process, but do not put it in the dryer.

Check out this video to follow the steps aforementioned properly.

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How to Get Red Dye Out of Clothes

Hair color stains should be treated as quickly as possible; the older the stain, the more difficult it is to remove. Red dye has a different composition and requires a different remedy than other dye colors.

1. Rinse the Stain with Cold Water

Remove any visible goop before doing anything else by holding the stained area under cold water and scraping it off with a dull knife.

2. Soak in Dish washing Liquid and Ammonia Solution

Begin by mixing a solution of 1 quart of water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish washing liquid, and 1 tablespoon of household ammonia in a plastic or glass container.

Submerge the stained area and allow the stain to soak for 15 minutes.

3. Scrub the Dye Stain with Liquid Laundry and Soak Again

Scrub with an enzymatic liquid laundry detergent on a clean cloth, and rub the stained area to loosen the dye from the fabric, then soak it in the same solution again.

You can use Persil ProClean Stain Fighter liquid detergent or Vanish Oxi Advance Multi-Power Gel to help remove the stain easily.

4. Soak in White Vinegar and Water Solution

Mix 1-quart warm water and ¼ cup distilled white vinegar. Allow the stained area to soak for 30 minutes.

If the stain is still there, move to step 5.

5. Soak in Oxygen-based Bleach and Water Solution

If the stain remains, then fill a clean container or sink with cool water and add all-fabric oxygen bleach according to package directions.

Soak your clothes for at least 8 hours.

6. Wash it in the Washing Machine

Launder as usual once the stain is gone. It’s fine to wash the garment in a washing machine at any point during the cleaning process, but do not put it in the dryer.

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Tips to Follow When Using Hair Dye

The best way to get hair dye out of clothes 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.

1. Check the label first. It may have specific instructions about what chemicals you should not use.

2. Anytime you’re working with hair dye, wear gloves to protect your hands and clothes.

3. If you see the stain happen, address it as soon as possible.

4. Avoid heat until the stain is completely gone. If you put the clothing in the dryer while any trace of the stain remains, it is unlikely to ever come out.   

5. Wear a hair processing cap so it prevents the dye from staining your clothes.

Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes FAQ

To Wrap Up

Many people think that once their clothes is stained with hair dye, there’s no coming back from this. But with the right ingredients and cleaning steps, you can find it very easy to get hair dye out of clothes.

Share your cleaning tips of the clothes and tricks in the comments below and let me know how you get on below in the comments!