HOW TO REMOVE HAIR DYE OF ALL COLORS FROM CLOTHES
Whether you’re giving a friend a makeover or experimenting with a new look, colorful mishaps can happen when hair dye is involved. Stains from hair dye may seem daunting, but they don’t have to be. This guide will help you with a variety of options to help get hair dye out of clothes, including treatment options for specific hair colors and fabrics. Read on to learn how to tackle these tough stains.
CAN I REMOVE PERMANENT HAIR DYE FROM CLOTHES?
Yes, it is possible to remove permanent hair dye from clothes. The key is to treat stains quickly before they have time to settle or absorb in fabrics, as dried stains can be more difficult to remove. Keep in mind that certain fabrics absorb dye differently than others.
Consider the dye color of your stain before you treat it, as some pigments may have a different composition than others and require alternative treatments.
HOW TO GET HAIR DYE OUT OF CLOTHES WITHOUT BLEACH
Color-safe and oxygen-based bleach is generally safe to use on non-white garments. Other options that can help remove hair dye out of clothes include spot cleaning with liquid laundry detergent, household ammonia (not to be used on latex), dishwashing liquid or white vinegar.
Be sure to try these methods separately. Don’t mix vinegar and ammonia together and never combine bleach with ammonia or vinegar, as it can be toxic. Always check your garment’s care label and test a less visible section of the garment to see how the fabric reacts before you do a full treatment. The following method is a general guide to help you treat stains caused by various shades of hair dye.
SUPPLIES
Liquid detergent, like Swash® Laundry Detergent1
Soft toothbrush
Dull knife or scraper
Cold water
Additional cleaning materials as needed (bleach, dishwashing liquid, etc.)
tools
Washer such as these Maytag® washers
- Dryer such as these Maytag® dryers
STEP 1: SCRAPE EXCESS
Using a dull knife or a soft toothbrush, scrape any excess hair dye off the piece of clothing. Then, run the garment under cold water.
STEP 2: APPLY DETERGENT
Directly apply the liquid laundry detergent to the stain and gently work it in with the toothbrush.
STEP 3: WASH
Follow the care label or laundry symbols to determine the correct laundry cycle for your particular garment. Pour the detergent into the machine’s detergent dispenser and place your garment into the washing machine. Unless directed otherwise by the care label, wash in a normal cycle with the rest of your load.
STEP 4: AIR DRY & INSPECT
When the cycle is complete, air dry your clothes and inspect the stain once your garment is dry. If the stain is still visible, repeat the steps above. Be sure the stain is gone before machine-drying your clothes, as the heat can set the stain.
SHOP MAYTAG® WASHERS
HOW TO GET RED HAIR DYE OUT OF CLOTHES
Because of the composition of red dye, removing stains may require a two-part process. Always check your garment’s care label before treating a stain. Then, mix 1 quart of water, ½ tsp. of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 tbsp. of household ammonia. Soak the garment for 15 minutes and gently work the solution into the stain. Rinse well before soaking for another 15 minutes in a solution of 1 quart warm water and ¼ cup distilled white vinegar. Do not mix ammonia and vinegar in the same solution. Also, do not mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia.
Rinse the item thoroughly before placing it in a normal wash cycle. Air dry to inspect the stain. If there is still a stain, soak your garment in a mixture of oxygen-based bleach and cool water for four to eight hours. Remember to test a smaller swatch before treating the whole garment.
HOW TO GET BLACK HAIR DYE OUT OF CLOTHES
As always, check your care label. Spot treat the stain with liquid laundry detergent, preferably an option with stain-lifting enzymes. Work the detergent in with a soft brush and rinse well. Mix cool water with an oxygen-based bleach and soak the garment for at least eight hours or overnight, depending on the progress of the stain. Wash as normal or repeat the steps if the stain persists.
HOW TO GET BROWN HAIR DYE OUT OF CLOTHES
Similar to removing black hair dye, check your care label and then treat the stain with liquid detergent. Complete the process with a soak in cool water with oxygen-based bleach overnight. Launder as usual and air dry to check the progress of the stain.
If you’re trying to remove stains from white fabrics, you can soak the garment in a mixture of a gallon of water and ¼ cup of chlorine bleach for 15 minutes. Soaking in chlorine bleach longer than 15 minutes can weaken fabrics, so be sure to rinse the garment thoroughly before placing it in a normal wash cycle.
HOW TO GET BLUE HAIR DYE OUT OF CLOTHES
As always, begin by checking your garment’s care label. Aside from the above options for treating black and brown hair dye stains, another simple tip is to apply a soaked cotton ball of rubbing alcohol directly to the stain. Be sure to place a barrier of folded paper towels between the stain and other parts of the clothing.
Remember to test a small swatch before treating the stain and fully rinse all of the alcohol with cold water when done. Hang your garment to air dry. Never place items treated with flammable substances in the washer or the dryer.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® TOP LOAD AND FRONT LOAD WASHERS
Stain fighting starts with the right machine to help you tackle the problem. With Maytag brand’s top load and front load washers, you’ll get helpful features on select models like the built-in water faucet, which rinses, spot treats or soaks clothes right in the washer or the Extra Power button to boost stain-fighting on any wash cycle with an intense pre-wash and extra agitation. Already have a Maytag® washing machine? Find a matching top load or front load dryer to complete your set for a powerful combo.
STAIN TREATMENT GUIDES BY MAYTAG BRAND
-
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Clothes Rinse coffee stains in cold water, apply enzyme detergent and let sit before washing in warm water. Learn more about how to get coffee stains out of clothes. -
How to Get Out Grass Stains Removing grass stains is a simple process. First, rub enzyme detergent on the grass stain. Next, wash the stain in hot water. Learn more on how to remove grass stains. -
How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes Grease stain removal may seem like a challenge, but Maytag is here to help. Our guide to grease stains will help you remove them from common fabrics.
Was this article helpful? Pass it on
1. Swash® products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
