We’ve all been there - you’re busy trying to change your hair color and then all of a sudden some hair dye accidentally spills on your favorite sweater, jeans or other item of clothing. If you’re reading this, then you may be interested in finding tips and tricks for how to get hair dye out of clothes.
In this article we explain how it’s possible to get hair dye off clothes. Below we outline several techniques that you can use to get black, blue, brown, or red hair dye out of clothes. These methods include rinsing the stain in cold water, spot treating the stain with liquid laundry detergent, using oxygen bleach, and using chlorine-based bleach.
While there are many options that you can use, some can end up ruining your clothes and may also come with some safety risks. That’s why one of the safest methods for how to get dye out of clothes is to use Kind Laundry’s vegan stain remover bar, followed by a regular wash using Kind Laundry’s eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets.
How to Get Hair Dye Off Clothes
If you’re struggling to figure out how do you get hair dye out of clothes, you’re not alone. It can be challenging to find the best method to do this. After all, you don’t want to remove the stain but find that your clothes are now ruined.
Below we look at four ways to get black, brown and blue hair dye out of clothes, as well as five ways to get red hair dye out of clothes. Don’t forget to read our additional tips for how to get dye stains out of clothes, where we outline some alternative methods to use.
How to Get Hair Color Out of Clothes - Is It Possible?
If you’ve accidentally spilled hair dye on clothes, then you may be wondering how to take hair dye off clothes, and whether it’s even possible.
The short answer is yes, it is possible. If you act quickly and use the right method to remove hair dye stains, you may be able to actually get rid of the stains.
Before you start trying to remove the stain, you’ll need to consider the type of hair dye and what color it is, the type of fabric that it’s on, and how long the stain has been on the fabric.
It’s also important to check the clothing tags for care instructions - you may find that some fabrics need to be dry cleaned, washed only on a cold cycle, or may be too delicate to use with abrasive methods like bleach.
Different color dyes need to be treated with different solutions. And different fabrics can tolerate different types of stain removal techniques for how to get hair dye out of white clothes.
While the methods below may work, some are better than others in terms of protecting your clothes and being kind to the environment. One of the safest methods to remove hair dye stains is to pre-treat the stain with Kind Laundry’s vegan stain remover bar, followed by washing it with Kind Laundry’s eco detergent sheets.
That's because Kind Laundry’s products are designed to be kind to the planet and your health. And they’re milder and gentler on your clothes too.
Also be sure to use the correct washing temperatures for the type of fabric you’re washing, and to follow the care instructions on your garment label.
How to Get Black, Brown, or Blue Hair Dye Out of Clothes
Looking for ways on how to get black hair dye out of clothes, how to get blue hair dye out of clothes, or how to get brown hair dye out of clothes?
Below are several methods you can use to help remove these types of stains and get your clothes clean and looking spotless once again.
1. Rinse The Stain With Cold Water or Alcohol
One method for how to get blue dye out of white clothes, which should work for black, and brown hair dyes too, is to rinse the stain with cold water or rubbing alcohol.
This method may work if you get to the stain as fast as possible, before it’s had much of a chance to set it. The longer you leave the stain, the more challenging it will be to get it out.
Whether you use rubbing alcohol or water, gently rub the stain and remember to wash off all the rubbing alcohol with cold water once you’re done. You may need to repeat this method a couple of times. If you were successful in removing the stains, you can then put the clothes in a cold wash with laundry detergent, being careful to follow the care instructions on the garment tags.
⚡Caution:
- Don't use rubbing alcohol on sensitive fabrics like silk, spandex, or wool as it may ruin them.
- Always ensure you use rubbing alcohol in an adequately ventilated room.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands and skin from the dye and other chemicals
2. Spot-Treat With Liquid Laundry Detergent
If you act fast, you may be able to solve the conundrum of how to get black dye out of clothes, by spot treating the stain with laundry detergent.
Gently rub in some liquid detergent or Kind Laundry vegan stain remover bar with some water and let it penetrate into the fabric for a few minutes. Then wash the detergent out thoroughly with cold water. If the stain has been removed, you can put the clothes in a regular wash - being careful to follow the care instructions.
⚡Caution:
- Avoid using warm or hot water as that can make the stain set in.
- Don't rub or brush the stain too aggressively, as that could damage the fabric.
- Choose eco-friendly detergents like Kind Laundry which are good for your health and the planet’s health too.
3. Soak In Oxygen Bleach
If you’re using oxygen based bleach to get rid of stains on clothes, you’ll need to dilute the bleach in a bucket of cold water and let the clothes soak in there for a couple of hours. If the stain doesn’t come out at first, you may need to repeat the process with a new solution of bleach and water.
It’s always important to try and do a spot test first when figuring out how to get blue dye out of clothes with oxygen bleach. That’s because certain fabrics can be ruined and discolored by bleach. Delicate and sensitive fabrics like silk, wool and spandex should never be soaked in bleach as they may be destroyed.
⚡Caution:
- Be very careful never to mix bleach with any other substances, as it can create toxic fumes.
- Bleach can destroy certain fabrics, so check whether your garment can handle bleach before you use it.
- If you’re interested in a toxic-free, eco-friendly lifestyle, then you may want to avoid using bleach (and the plastic bottles they’re usually packaged in) and opt for a planet-friendly alternative.
4. Soak In Chlorine Based Bleach With White Fabrics
Chlorine bleach can be a powerful solution to remove hair dye stains from white clothes. But keep in mind that bleach can be very corrosive and can also cause yellowing of fabric, and should be used with caution. You’ll need to first ascertain whether the fabric you have can handle bleach - sensitive fabrics like wool and silk cannot.
Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes, as it may result in them being discolored and ruined. Also be careful to read the care instructions on your garment before proceeding with any bleach.
To use this method you’ll need to dilute the bleach with water, according to the instructions and allow your garment to soak for no longer than 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water and repeat the steps if the stain hasn’t been fully removed.
⚡Caution:
- Read the care instructions, as some fabrics will be ruined if treated with bleach
- Don’t soak fabric in bleach for more than 15 minutes or it may be destroyed.
- Always wear protective gear when working with bleach and ensure sufficient ventilation.
- Never mix bleach with any other chemicals or detergents as you may create toxic and even lethal fumes.
How to Get Red Hair Dye Out of Clothes
You can use the methods mentioned above for how to get red dye out of white clothes. However, most people recommend using the washing up liquid or ammonia methods for removing red hair dye from clothes. Remember that the above chlorine bleach method is only suitable for white clothes.
Below are five methods for how to get red hair dye out of clothes. If you want to get rid of hair dye stains the eco-friendly way, then consider using eco-laundry detergents and pre-wash treatments like Kind Laundry’s vegan stain remover bar.
Many of the other methods, while commonly suggested online as remedies for stains, may have environmental and health impacts and may not be kind to the planet.
1. Rinse The Stain With Cold Water Or Alcohol
As mentioned above, you can use a cold water wash or rubbing alcohol to gently rub out fresh dye stains. This may take some repeating to get the stain out completely.
⚡Caution:
- Always use rubbing alcohol in a properly ventilated room.
- Avoid contact with hands and consider wearing eye protection when working with rubbing alcohol.
2. Soak In Dishwashing Liquid Or Ammonia Solution
Some people suggest getting rid of dye stains on clothes using dishwashing liquid and ammonia solution.
While this method may be used by some people - proceed with absolute caution. If your soap contains any bleach, then mixing it with ammonia can create toxic and potentially lethal fumes.
It’s generally recommended to mix water, half a teaspoon of laundry liquid and a tablespoon of household ammonia in a glass container and then to soak the stained garment in there for a maximum of 15 minutes.
You may need to repeat the process for stubborn stains. Once you’re done, be careful to thoroughly wash out all the mixture with cold water.
⚡Caution:
- NEVER ever mix ammonia with a soap or detergent that contains chlorine bleach, as the combination produces a toxic gas which can be lethal!
- Always wear gloves to protect your hands from these chemicals.
- Always ensure adequate ventilation when working with these chemicals.
- If you’re interested in being kind to the Earth, then choose an eco-friendly, bleach-free soap.
3. Scrub The Dye Stain With Liquid Laundry And Soak Again
Gently rubbing your stained clothing with liquid laundry detergent can also help to remove dye stains. You may need to soak the clothes for around 15 minutes to allow the fabric to be fully penetrated by the soap.
Once the stain has lifted, rinse thoroughly in cold water and wash as normal.
⚡Caution:
- Remember to check the care instructions and avoid hot or warm water.
- Don’t scrub too hard, as you may damage sensitive fabrics.
- Opt for eco-friendly laundry detergents or pre-treatment stain removers.
4. Soak In White Vinegar And Water Solution
Soaking stained clothes in a white vinegar and water solution is often described as a remedy for removing dye stains from clothes. Many people specifically search online for how to get dye out of clothes with vinegar.
So how to get color out of white clothes using vinegar then? Mix a diluted solution of vinegar and water, and allow the stain to soak for around 30 minutes. Once the stain has been removed, you can then rinse thoroughly in cold water and wash as normal.
⚡Caution:
- NEVER use vinegar with any detergents that contain bleach as that can create a toxic chlorine gas that can be deadly.
- Don't use too much vinegar. If your solution isn’t diluted sufficiently, the vinegar can ruin your clothes.
- Don't leave your clothes in the vinegar solution for too long, as this acidic solution can damage fabrics.
- Never use undiluted vinegar on fabrics.
- Handle vinegar solution with care and consider wearing protective gear like gloves and a mask.
5. Soak In Oxygen Based Bleach With Water Solution
Using a very diluted solution of water and oxygen bleach can be used to remove dye stains from clothes. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Soak the stain for up to eight hours and then repeat if necessary to fully remove the stain.
⚡Caution:
- Using oxygen based bleach may damage delicate fabrics, and may lead to discoloration of your clothes (particularly on non-white fabrics, so be sure to test first).
- Remember to store this product safely away from children and animals.
- Be careful to mix the correct quantities, following the instructions on the product.
How to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes (Additional Tips)
The methods above may not work, and some carry significant risks as well as being environmentally damaging.
Many people who are looking for more natural and alternative methods to remove stains from clothes, may opt for one of the additional methods below, such as using Kind Laundry’s eco stain remover bar.
And, if you’re struggling to find a solution that works for how to get permanent hair dye out of clothes, you could always consider taking it to a professional dry cleaner.
Kind Laundry’s Eco-Friendly Vegan Stain Remover Bar
Looking for a natural remedy for how to get hair color out of clothes? Kind Laundry’s products are made to be kind to the planet, kind to your laundry. They’re also plastic-free and aim to suit a zero-waste lifestyle, while being safer to use than synthetic, chemical-based detergents.
Hairspray
This rather outlandish method may be found mentioned online, although we cannot recommend it or vouch for it working. Many hair sprays also use toxic ingredients, so read the labels before you buy any.
The hairspray stain removal method typically involves rinsing the stain in cold water, then spraying on an alcohol-based hairspray over the stained area and letting it soak in. Gently rub the stain with a damp cloth to try and remove the stain and blot up any excess. You may need to repeat this several times before rising thoroughly and washing as normal.
⚡Caution:
- Hairsprays can contain toxic chemicals that may be bad for your health and the planet. Always read the ingredients before buying.
- Don’t put your clothes in the dryer after using hairspray as it might make the stain set in.
- Always use hairspray in a well ventilated area and consider wearing protective gear such as gloves and a mask.
Baking Soda
Using baking soda to remove stains is a commonly cited home remedy for anything from removing grass stains from clothes, getting rid of tea stains on clothing, to removing coffee stains from clothes.
This method typically involves making a thick paste by mixing water and baking soda. The paste is then generously applied to cover the stain and can be gently rubbed into the fabric. Allow the baking soda to soak into the stain for up to 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.
However, this method may not be too effective for stains that are old and ingrained.
⚡Caution:
- Baking soda can damage delicate fabrics like elastane, and fade certain fabrics over time like wool, so use with caution.
- Handle with gloves to avoid skin reactions.
- Don't use baking soda together with laundry detergent - make sure your clothes are thoroughly rinsed before washing.
How to Get Hair Dye Off Clothes: Call for a Professional Help
If you’re still struggling to find a solution for how to get hair dye off clothes after trying some of the methods above, it may be time to call in the professionals. A dry cleaner may be able to advise whether they can remove the stain, depending on the type of fabric, the color of stain, and how long the stain has been there.
Remember that prevention is better than a cure when it comes to stains. Try to avoid getting stains in the first place by avoiding wearing your favorite clothes when dying your hair.
Also know that you’re not alone - there are many others like you who are looking for the best way to take hair dye out of clothes. Many home remedies may be suggested online, but it’s best to go with a method that’s safe for you and your family, and kind to the environment too.
You can do your bit for your health and the planet by choosing an eco-conscious and toxic-free laundry detergent and stain remover bar from Kind Laundry. With a commitment to zero-waste packaging and being kinder to the planet, this may also be your best option for removing hair dye stains from your clothes.
