How to get hair dye out of carpet, fresh or dried

Step by step: how to get hair dye out of carpet, fresh or dried

Safety first. Never mix ammonia with bleach or with a bleach-containing cleaner: the combination makes toxic gas. Do not use ammonia and vinegar at the same time either; rinse well between them. Wear gloves and open a window.

1. 1

   Blot up wet dye immediately

   Press white paper towels straight down on the spill, replacing them as they color, until no more dye lifts. Do not rub or wipe, which spreads the dye over a bigger area. Scoop up any thick blobs with a spoon first.

2. 2

   Test your cleaners in a hidden spot

   Dab vinegar, then the household cleaner, on a corner of carpet in a closet, wait 5 minutes and blot with a white towel. If carpet color transfers, stop and call a professional. Hair dye stains are hard to remove, so you want to be sure the carpet itself can take treatment.

3. 3

   Sponge with white vinegar

   Dampen a white cloth with full-strength white vinegar and dab the stain, working from the edge toward the center. Blot with a dry towel. You should see some color moving onto the towel.

4. 4

   Work in a household cleaner

   Spray a bleach-free all-purpose cleaner on the spot and agitate it gently with your fingertips, or an old toothbrush if the stain is stubborn. Blot, then repeat the vinegar and cleaner steps a few times while color keeps lifting.

5. 5

   Rinse and set the pile

   Sponge the area with plain cool water and blot until no cleaner foams up. Rub your hand across the carpet against the nap to stand the fibers up, then let it dry. Judge the result only once dry, since wet carpet looks darker.

6. 6

   Try diluted ammonia on synthetic carpet

   If a stain remains on nylon or polyester carpet, mix 1 part clear non-sudsy ammonia with 4 parts water. Dab it on with a cloth until the stain stops lifting, then rinse with water and blot. Do not use ammonia on wool or silk.

7. 7

   Weight the spot and dry

   Lay several layers of white towels on the damp area with something heavy on top for a few hours. This wicks up the last moisture and any dye still deep in the pile.

Does the method change on wool or synthetic carpet?

Yes. Synthetic carpet (nylon, polyester, olefin) can handle vinegar, household cleaner and diluted ammonia; wool needs a gentle detergent solution and no ammonia.

The University of Georgia Extension stain guide gives the vinegar, household cleaner and ammonia sequence for synthetic and blended carpet. For wool, it starts with clear water and a mild solution of 1 part glycerin, 1 part white dishwashing detergent and 8 parts water with a drop or two of white vinegar. It also says plainly that stains from products designed to dye are extremely difficult to remove, so a faint mark may remain whatever you do.

Why not use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on hair dye?

Because both can bleach the carpet’s own color as well as the hair dye, and that pale patch is permanent. A small brown spot often looks better than a large white one.

Shaw’s carpet care guide warns that bleach degrades carpet fibers and can delaminate the backing, and that bleaching agents such as benzoyl peroxide in acne creams can permanently damage carpet. Many hair lighteners and some developers contain peroxide for the same reason, so a peroxide spill can leave its own pale mark. If you are tempted to try hydrogen peroxide on a white synthetic carpet, test it in a closet first and accept the risk. Use cleaning products with good ventilation; the EPA notes that cleaning products release chemicals into indoor air and recommends fresh air and following label directions.

When to call a carpet cleaner for hair dye

Call a professional when the dye has dried for hours, the carpet is wool or a light color, or your test spot showed any color loss. Pros have dye stain removers and reducing agents that are too risky to use without training.

Shaw stresses blotting immediately and never rubbing, and recommends periodic professional hot water extraction for overall carpet care. If a dye stain remains, a carpet repair specialist can also cut out the spot and patch in a plug of carpet from a closet. For dye on the sink or tub, see how to remove hair dye from a sink.

Mistakes to avoid

• Rubbing the spill, which spreads permanent dye over a larger area.
• Reaching for bleach or a bleach-based spray, which leaves a pale patch.
• Mixing ammonia with a bleach cleaner, which creates toxic fumes.
• Using hot water, which helps dye bond to the fibers.
• Using ammonia on a wool rug or carpet.
• Coloring hair over carpet without an old towel or drop cloth underneath.