Guide · Stain removal ·
How to Remove Hair Dye Stains
Hair dye is made to leave lasting colour in the hair, so when it gets on fabric, towels and surfaces it also works in quickly and is among the hardest stains to remove. With hair dye stains, success depends largely on how fast you act: rinse with cold water before the dye dries and pre-treat with a stain remover straight away. This guide explains how to remove hair dye stains from clothes, towels, carpets, sofas and bathroom surfaces, and what to watch for with dye on the skin.
First steps
- Act straight away: before the dye dries, lift off the excess by pressing with paper towels; do not rub.
- Rinse with cold water: rinse the stain from the back of the fabric with cold water until the water runs clear; hot water can set the dye.
- Pre-treat: apply a stain remover to the stain and leave it for the time on the label; test the product on a hidden spot first.
- Avoid heat: do not wash the item in hot water, put it in the tumble dryer or iron it until the stain is gone.
How to remove hair dye from clothes?
- Place a clean white cloth under the stain and rinse the stain from the back with cold water.
- Apply a stain remover such as İLK BOR Leke Sihirbazı to the stain, leave it for the time on the label and lift it by pressing with a clean cloth; move to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up colour.
- Wash the laundry on the programme on the fabric label with detergent for coloureds or detergent for whites.
- Check the stain before drying; if a mark remains, repeat the pre-treatment.
- For washing T-shirts: how to wash a t-shirt.
- For henna stains: how to remove henna stains.
Hair dye stains on towels
On towels used during dyeing, the stain often goes unnoticed at first. Rinse the towel with cold water straight after dyeing, pre-treat it with a stain remover and wash it separately from other laundry. For marks left on white cotton towels, bleach may be used only if the towel's label allows it and at the amount on the product label (how to use bleach); do not use bleach on coloured towels. If you dye your hair often, setting aside dark towels for the job makes stains less visible (how to wash towels).
How to remove dried hair dye stains?
A dried hair dye stain is much harder to remove than a fresh one. Dampen the stain with cold water, apply the stain remover, leave it for the time on the label and wash the garment again; you may need to repeat the process several times. On old stains that have been washed and dried or ironed, the dye may have worked permanently into the fabric and a faint mark may remain; do not force the colour on coloured fabric with harsh products.
How to remove hair dye from carpet?
- Lift the dye by pressing with paper towels, without rubbing; do not spread it over the carpet.
- Lift the stain by pressing with a clean cloth dampened with cold water; move to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up colour.
- For any remaining mark, apply a small amount of a carpet-safe stain remover such as TETİK Binbir Stain Remover and lift it by pressing; test in a hidden corner first in case of colour bleeding.
- Finally, rinse by pressing with a clean damp cloth and dry the carpet without overwetting it (how to use carpet shampoo).
Hair dye on sofas and furniture
Remove dye that gets on a fabric sofa straight away with paper towels and work on it by pressing with a cloth dampened with cold water. For any remaining mark, apply TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label lists sofa and upholstery use, to a clean cloth and press it onto the stain; do not overwet the upholstery and test on a hidden spot first (how to clean a sofa). On wooden, lacquered and painted furniture, wipe the dye off immediately with a damp cloth; solvents and abrasive products damage the finish. On leather upholstery, follow the manufacturer's advice.
Dye marks on sinks, bathtubs and tiles
Wipe dye that splashes onto the sink, bathtub and tiles straight away with a damp cloth. Wipe the remaining mark with a soft cloth and START All-Purpose Surface Cleaner diluted at the dose on the label, then rinse. According to its safety data sheet, START All-Purpose Surface Cleaner has a pH of 7–8. Porous grout between tiles can absorb dye; for grout, see how to clean grout. Do not use abrasive creams or steel wool on acrylic bathtubs and taps.
How to remove hair dye from skin?
Wipe hair dye that gets on the forehead, ears and neck with lukewarm water and soap before it dries; any remaining mark fades over a few washes. Follow the advice in the hair dye product's instructions. Do not apply stain remover, bleach, surface cleaner, acetone or any other cleaning product to the skin; if irritation occurs, consult a healthcare professional.
What not to do with hair dye stains
- Rubbing the stain: the dye spreads into the fabric and carpet.
- Using hot water, the tumble dryer or the iron before the stain is out.
- Using bleach on coloured and synthetic fabrics.
- Applying cleaning products to the skin.
- Mixing stain remover with bleach or other cleaning products (can cleaning products be mixed).
For hairdressers and beauty salons
In hairdressers and beauty salons, towels, gowns and chair covers come into contact with hair dye every day; rinsing used towels without delay, pre-treating them and washing them separately helps stop stains from setting. TETİK Liquid Stain Remover and START Stain Remover are produced in 30 kg packs, TETİK Kar Aspirin in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg, and TETİK Laundry Detergent for Whites in 4 kg. For a product list, see hair and beauty salon cleaning supplies; for bulk purchases, you can request a quote.
