How to Get Hair Dye Out of Clothes: Step-by-Step Guide
Accidents happen—don't let it ruin your outfit.
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Dying your hair at home is a great way to save time and money, but sometimes we make mistakes and end up needing to save our clothing. While hair dye stains are avoidable (next time, wear an old black T-shirt or robe), you're going to want to remove hair dye from your clothing fast because the longer you wait the more difficult it will be to remove. Note: Keep in mind that removing hair dye isn’t always possible and these steps may need to be repeated.
Step One: Blot The Stain
Blot up any excess liquid on the garment. Use a paper towel. Don't rub the stain.
Step Two: Rinse
Jennifer Ahoni, P&G Fabric Care Principal Scientist recommends rinsing off the dye in warm water. “Try using as high a water pressure as possible to help with mechanical action in removing the dye.”
Step Three: Pretreat the Stain
No one plans to get hair dye on their clothing, so the next step depends on what you have on hand. If you have a stain pre-treater, use it. “If the fabric allows, pre-treat the stain with a stain remover such as Truly Free’s Enzyme Stain Remover to make a paste, Truly Free’s Stain Stick to scrub and loosen the stain, as well as liquid detergent, such as Truly Free’s Signature Scent Laundry Wash. Apply a small amount directly onto the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes,” says Maria Mooney, Truly Free's cleaning expert. Then rinse before putting it into the washing machine.
On the other hand, if you only have detergent, you can work with that as well. Ahoni suggests pouring Tide Ultra Oxi with Odor Eliminators directly onto the stain. “Gently rub the fabric together to help work the detergent into the garment's fibers in a circular motion. Then, let it sit for 20 minutes.”
Step Four: Wash The Garment
Launder the garment as you normally would in your regular detergent along with a load of clothing. Check the label for the proper water temperature. If you’re not sure, keep in mind that most things can be washed in cold water.
Step Five: Check It
Take the garment out of the washing machine, but don’t put it in the dryer just yet. Instead, check to see if the stain has been removed. If the stain is gone, put the item in the dryer with the rest of your clothing. If there’s still some excess staining, repeat the process.
Step Six: Consider Using Color Safe Bleach
“If the fabric is white or color-safe, you can try using a color-safe bleach alternative to further lighten the stain, such as Truly Free’s 100% Non-Toxic Chlorine-Free Oxyboost—it's the most powerful yet family-safe bleach alternative that is tough on stains but won’t damage fabrics over time. Plus, it's free from any harsh chemicals that you'd want to avoid on your skin,” says Mooney.
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