How to get hair dye off carpet: detailed guide
Most people use hair dye, a well-liked cosmetic item, to alter the color of their hair. Accidents do happen, though, and hair dye occasionally finds its way onto carpets, creating ugly stains that can be challenging to remove.
So, let’s discover how to get hair dye off carpet.
Hair dye can leave behind difficult-to-clean stains on carpets when it comes into touch with the fibers. The dye can saturate the carpet’s fibers, which makes it hard to remove using standard cleaning techniques.
Also, the longer the hair dye stain is kept on the carpet the harder its to be removed. This is because of the hair dye’s potential to dry and embed into the carpet fibers, making removal much more difficult. This essay will look at how to get hair dye out of carpets, and how to avoid incidents like this in the first place.
How to prevent hair dye stains on the carpet?
One of the best preventative strategies is to cover the part where the hair dye is applied with a clean cloth or old sheet. This will aid in catching any drips or spills and keep the carpet from being stained. The towel or sheet must be large enough to completely cover the area where the hair dye will be applied.

To prevent the towel or sheet from slipping or shifting while the application is being made, it is also crucial to keep it in place. Using a hair dye applicator bottle with a precision tip is another protective step. As a result, there will be less chance of drips or spills and the hair dye can be applied more precisely.

Putting the hair dye properly requires patience and caution to avoid using too much at once. This will lessen the likelihood that the hair dye may spill or drip into the carpet.
It’s also critical to know what kind of carpet you have. While distributing the hair dye, it’s crucial to keep in mind that some carpets are more likely to stain than others. It could be a good idea to completely avoid working with hair dye in an area of carpet that is prone to stains.
7 Ways on How To Get Hair Dye Off Carpet
1. What is WD40, and how does it help in removing hair dye stains?
Mineral oil, petroleum distillates, and a trace quantity of silicone are among the mixture of chemicals that make up the petroleum-based product WD-40 which is known for the water displacement 40th formula.
Its functions include lubricating, shielding metal surfaces from rust and corrosion, removing moisture, and avoiding electrical problems, and it’s commonly applied to remove hair dye stains from carpets.
- Use WD-40 straight on the hair dye stain, then wait five to ten minutes before wiping it away.
- To remove the dye from the carpet, blot it with a fresh piece of cotton, rinse the place with cool water, then keep it dry.
2. Remove dye out of carpet using an ammonia-based cleaning solution
If you want a more powerful cleaning instrument, the ammonia solution might be all that you need. An ammonia cleaning solution is well known as a potent color-removing agent for hair. Yet, because it will harm the wool’s inherent fibers, this chemical is prohibited to use on a stained area of a carpet composed of wool.

- Mix the same amounts of ammonia solution and liquid dish soap, and two cups of water to make an ammonia solution for carpet stain elimination.
- Utilizing a white cloth, put the solution on the stained area, then dab the surface till the entire stained area is covered. Give it half an hour break.
- Every 5 minutes add a small drop of the solution using a clean cloth. Air dry the carpet after rinsing it with cold water.
3. Removing hair stains from carpet with the help of borax
A naturally occurring mineral called borax is frequently employed as a cleaning agent and laundry detergent booster. It is made of water, oxygen, sodium, and boron. Borax helps to break down and loosen the proteins contained in hair, which makes it excellent at eliminating permanent hair dye from carpets.
- Borax dissolves into a solvent when combined with warm water, which can reach deep into the carpet fibers to eliminate and dissolve stains.
- Borax can be used to eliminate permanent hair dye on the carpet by making a mixture by combining it with a little warm water. Before vacuuming up the stain, apply the paste to it and let it set for a while.
- If necessary, carry out the procedure again until the permanent hair dye is eliminated. constantly perform a tiny, discrete test on your carpet before applying the borax mixture to make sure it won’t harm or color it.

4. Use baking soda to get a hair dye stain off the carpet
The moisture in water-based things like fruit juice, coffee, and even spilled semi-permanent hair dye can be effectively consumed by baking soda.
- Start by splashing baking soda over the colored area and wait for it to soak a portion of the moisture. If more actions are required, this will make them easier.
- Next combine boiling water, salt, and baking soda to create a soluble mixture. Put this mixture there and give it at least an hour to work its way through.
- For stains that are particularly difficult to remove, you might even leave them on overnight.
- Simply sweep up the solution once the color has faded, then wipe off any extra with a moist napkin.

5. Hydrogen peroxide to get hair dye stain out of carpet
Bleach-like oxidizing agents are also present in hydrogen peroxide. Semi-permanent hair dye spills can be removed from the carpet using this approach that doesn’t fade or change color, but it is still advisable to patch test a hidden area first.
- Use concentrated hydrogen peroxide on a napkin or clean, white cloth after wiping away any excess hair color.
- Let the area soak for at least an hour after it has become completely saturated.
- Perform the procedure several over again if the dye stain is still observed.
6. Use a mixture of solutions to get hair dye stains off the carpet
It requires a combination of different cleaning agents rather than just one to effectively get a hair dye stain off the carpet. Anything starting from erasing permanent marker colors from walls to removing hair color from carpets may be cleaned with rubbing alcohol.

Yet the most stubborn colors can be removed using rubbing alcohol mixed with dish soap, baby shampoo, and white vinegar.
How to incorporate rubbing alcohol into a cleaning solution is as follows:
- To eliminate as much of the hair color from the carpet as you can, use a moist cloth or a clean napkin.
- Mix two cups of warm water, one tablespoon each of vinegar, and dish soap.
- To deeply permeate the fibers, gently dab the stain with a clean cloth dipped in the solution. Dry the mixture from the afflicted region using a dry cloth.
- Put rubbing alcohol on the afflicted area with a clean cloth. Once more, dry the area with a dry cloth. Dry it once again after giving the area cold water and rinse till the stain is eliminated.

7. Hair spray to remove hair dye from the carpet
Treating spilled hair products with additional hair products seems absurd. Hairspray, on the other hand, acts well to remove carpet dye stains. For an improved outcome, you can combine it with an astringent. The steps that you must take are listed below.

- Drops of hairspray should be sprayed onto the stain. Make sure that the stained area is completely covered.
- Give it ten minutes to be still. Next, run cold water over the stained area to rinse it. Use a tannic solution now. Continue to wait for ten more minutes.
- To let the astringent and hairspray ingredient enters into the fabric, dab the stain. Rinse the carpet once more in cold water, then sponge or towel-dry it.

FAQs
Can you get dark hair dye out of carpet?
Yes, it is possible to get dark hair dye from carpet. Given that rugs cannot fit in a washing machine and that hair dye is a concentrated colorant, this presents a significant difficulty. To completely remove dye out of carpet the stain should be treated more than once to be completely removed, although a good oxidant will assist.
As a result, once the stain is removed, you will probably have a spot that is cleaner than the rest of the rug. I would therefore prepare to clean the entire rug.
Moreover, make sure to test any product you plan to use on the rug to ensure the removal of dye out of carpet and that it is color-safe by applying a little quantity to a hidden area of the rug, letting it sit for 10 minutes, then rinsing it off, and blotting dry. The product can be used on the rug without risk if dye stain change is absent.
No matter the technique you perform, always keep in mind the two fundamental principles of stain removal. First is to clean the stain as soon as you can in the beginning. Second, before applying the cleaning agent to the stained area, always test it in a tiny part of the carpet.
If you decided to work with nail polish remover, be careful since nail polish remover can change the color of your carpet.

How does vinegar remove hair dye from carpet?
A moderate acid like white vinegar can aid in the breakdown of the hair dye, making it simpler to get hair dye out of the carpet. You must carry out the following procedures to use white vinegar to remove hair color from the carpet:
1. In a dish or bucket, combine one part white vinegar with two parts room-temperature water.
2. Gently wipe the damaged place with a clean, clean dry cloth dampened with vinegar, being careful not to rub the dye deeper into the carpet fibers. In addition, to eliminate any residual vinegar solution, rinse the area with warm water.
3. To eliminate extra moisture, blot the area with a fresh towel or cloth. Carry out the procedure once more, if necessary, to eliminate the stain.
4. As vinegar can color some carpet types, it’s crucial to keep in mind that you should always test any cleaning solution on a hidden portion of your carpet first.
Will rubbing alcohol remove hair dye from carpet?
– Despite it being a typical home item for cleaning and disinfecting, rubbing alcohol is possibly not the best choice for getting hair dye out of carpet. While alcohol can aid in the dissolution and removal of some stains, it might not be successful in removing stains induced by hair color from the carpet.
– Hair dye stains on the carpet can be hard to get out, especially if the color has already dried. It’s crucial to have a cleaning solution made especially for this purpose to get hair dye out of carpet. A commercial carpet stain remover, vinegar and baking soda, room temperature water, and dishwashing liquid detergent are one of the solutions that work well.
– To make sure that alcohol won’t harm or change the color of the carpet, try the solution in a hidden spot before using it to try to remove a hair dye stain from your carpet. If it seems safe, you can try dabbing alcohol on the stain and using a clean cloth or sponge to gently wipe it.
– It’s crucial to remember that alcohol might not be successful in getting rid of all hair color stains and might even make them worse by causing them to spread or set in the carpet fibers more deeply.
– To enhance your chances of effectively removing the stain without harming your carpet, it is often recommended to have a cleaning solution that is specially made for removing hair color stains from the carpet.

How do you get hair dye out of carpet without vinegar?
A few methods exist for getting a hair dye stain out of the carpet without using white vinegar:
Baking soda
To remove the hair dye stain, make a paste of baking soda and water. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it with cold water.
Hydrogen peroxide
Apply a solution by combining one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water to the discolored region. After letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, wipe it up with a fresh, damp cloth.
Rubbing alcohol
Spray the stain with rubbing alcohol and blot it up with a fresh cloth. Continue until the color is removed.
Liquid Dish soap
Apply a few drops of room-temperature water and a bar of liquid dish soap to the discoloration. Before blotting it up with a clean cloth, allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Always test any solution on a tiny, discrete section of the carpet before applying it to the stain. If you are working with black hair dye, blot as much hair dye as possible to prevent its propagation.
you can also use a solution of dishwashing liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide to clean a single area of black hair dye: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. When the stain is gone, put the mixture to it and dab it with a white, clean towel.
Use a professional carpet cleaner
If the hair dye spill doesn’t go away, consider using a cleaner that is made especially for dye stains. Pay attention to the owner’s manual and test the cleaner on a small discrete part of the carpet before using it widely.
If the techniques do not work, it’s best to hire a carpet cleaner. They have the equipment and knowledge necessary to remove a hair dye spill successfully and without causing any damage to the carpet.

Conclusion
There are all several ways for removing hair dye from the carpet. WD-40, hairspray and a cleanser, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, ammonia, and rubbing alcohol are a few of the ways. To prevent spilled hair dye from spreading, it’s vital to try any cleaning solution on a hidden portion of your carpet first.
It’s important to try any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of your carpet first and to work from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading. Additionally, it’s important to react quickly and avoid letting the hair dye stain set into the carpet.

Furthermore, it’s critical to take action right once to prevent the hair color stain from settling into the carpet fibers. You may easily remove permanent hair dye stains from your carpet and improve its appearance by employing the right cleaning technique. Moreover, avoid using materials that might change the color of your carpet like nail polish remover.
Read also our guide: How to get printer ink out of carpet
Hi, I’m Anna Jeffery, an experienced author and cleaning expert. I strive to share my knowledge with everyone by writing useful guides and tips to keep their living and working spaces clean and healthy. I believe everyone deserves to live in a clean and organized environment, and I take pride in knowing that my articles are helping people achieve that goal. Stay tuned for practical and useful cleaning tips!
