The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Even the smallest at-home hair dye job can turnyour bathroominto a mess.

Fortunately you could get hair dye stains out of carpet and upholstery with some distilledwhite vinegarand hydrogen peroxide.

Rubbing alcohol can assist in particularly tough stains.

a hair dye-stained bathroom rug and stain removal supplies

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Here’s your easy guide to getting hair dye stains out of carpet and upholstery in just six steps.

Tip

If your carpet or upholstery isvintageor silk, consult a professional cleaner for assistance.

Always treat the stain as soon as possible and be careful not to spread the stain.

collage of two Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boost on a light tan background

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Warning

Do not rub because it will push the dye deeper into fibers.

Repeat until no more dye is transferred to the paper towel.

Blot the stained area, and let the hydrogen peroxide sit for two or three minutes.

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Blot away the water with clean white paper towels and allow to air-dry.

Wash as usual after pre-treating, using the hottest water allowable by the garment.

So what if it hits the bathroom floor, the countertop, thesink, or the tub?

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Luckily, there are ways it’s possible for you to get that stain out.

Hair dye stains are likely to fade a bit over time, but they will be permanent.

At a certain point, they will stop fading and the remaining stain will stay there.

using a dull knife to scrape away excess hair dye

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

It’s critical to address the stain as soon as possible to avoid this phenomenon.

Yes, baking soda may be effective at removing hair dye stains, due to its inherent lightening properties.

Rinse with water and repeat as needed if you see a difference.

using a sponge on a stained bathroom rug

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

blotting a bathroom rug with a paper towel

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using a qtip on a bathroom rug

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Using hydrogen peroxide to remove traces of dye

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

letting the bathroom rug air dry after stain removal

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida