How To Get Hair Dye Out Of Your Carpet – Fast! [5 Easy Methods]

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Hair dye stains are a nightmare. You pour the whole bottle on your head and before you know it, you’ve created a big ol’ mess in your bathroom!

If this has ever happened to you (or someone you know), don’t panic – we’re going to let you into our little secret of how to get hair dye out of your carpet fast!

If you’ve ever spilled a bottle of hair dye onto the carpet, you know how hard it is to clean up.

It’s not just about the colour that gets spilled on the floor, walls or counter top. The real problem is when that colour runs down onto other surfaces like carpets, rugs, towels and clothing.

That’s where things can really go wrong because getting hair dye out of these items can be very difficult indeed…

…but there IS hope for us all! This article will show you how to remove hair dye from almost any surface quickly and easily so that no one will even notice what happened!

By following these tips, and using products you’ll already have a home, anyone can save themselves hours upon hours of scrubbing at stubborn stains with absolutely no success. Read on!

Can hair dye be removed from a carpet?

Do you have a pesky stain on your carpet that won’t go away?

Fortunately, it can be removed by using products you already have at home in your kitchen cupboards.

Hair dye can stain your carpet if not removed quickly. While it is difficult to remove the colour of dark hair dye, there are ways to get lighter colours out of your carpet, fast.

The key is to get as much of it off before it sets in.

how to get hair dye out of carpet with sponge infographic

Things you can try

Hairspray

Soap and shampoo

Dish washing soap

White vinegar and washing up liquid

Baking soda and water.

How to get hair dye out of your carpet – 5 easy ways.

The first step is to try and blot up as much of the dye as possible with paper towels or a cloth.

You want to be careful not to rub too hard as this could spread the stain further and make matters worse!

Once you have done this, there are several solutions that can help remove the rest of the stain depending on what type of fabric your carpet is made out of.

Method #1 Hairspray

If the stain is fresh, hairspray is a real quick and easy way to remove hair dye stains fast.

What to do:

  • Just spray the hairspray straight onto the hair dye from a few inches away and blot it with a white paper towel.
  • Repeat this until the hair dye is removed and give the area a rinse with cold water afterwards.

Method #2 Soap and shampoo together.

Soap and shampoo make the dye more water soluble so that you can use a wet vacuum cleaner or blot up as much of the dye as possible with paper towels before washing it away with warm water and detergent.

What to do:

  • The first step is to apply a generous amount of dish soap and elbow grease, scrubbing with a brush or cloth until the stain starts coming up.
  • Next, rinse everything off with water and dry the area as best as possible before applying more soap and repeating this process again if needed.
  • Finally, use an old toothbrush to scrub at any remaining stubborn spots, then spray it with hairspray or another type of fixative. You can now enjoy your newly clean carpet!

Method #3 Dish washing soap

Another way to tackle stubborn hair dye stains on carpets is by using good old dish soap.

What to do:

  • Mix one tablespoon of dish washing soap with two cups of warm water and pour the solution onto the stained area.
  • Gently scrub away the stain using a soft bristled brush before blotting up any excess liquid with paper towels or an old rag.

Method #4 White vinegar and washing up liquid.

If dish soap on its own hasn’t done the trick, this simple combination is super effective when it comes to removing stubborn dye stains from carpets.

What to do:

  • Mix equal parts white vinegar and washing up liquid together and apply it directly to the stained area using a brush or sponge.
  • Once applied, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before blotting away with a damp cloth or towel.

Method #5 Baking soda and water

Last but not least, baking soda and water are very effective in removing stubborn hair dye stains from carpets!

What to do:

  • Simply mix together equal parts baking soda and warm water in a bowl.
  • Pour the mixture over the stained area and let it sit for several minutes.
  • Gently scrub away at the stain using a soft bristled brush until no more remains visible!
  • Blot up any remaining moisture with paper towels or an old rag until dry.

How do you get semi-permanent hair dye out of a carpet?

If your stain is more stubborn or made by a semi-permanent hair dye spillage, you can try to remove it with white vinegar and washing up liquid.

  • For this, you’ll need to mix 2 cups of lukewarm water with 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
  • Using a clean cloth, sponge and blot the hair dye stain with the solution.
  • Then with cold water, rinse the area and soak up the liquid with a dry sponge.

If the stain is still there, you can dab on some neat rubbing alcohol with a cloth. This method should remove the hair dye without changing the colour of your carpet!

If the stain is still there, move on to the next solution!

How do you get permanent hair dye out of the carpet?

It’s not an easy task to get permanent hair dye out of carpet, but luckily we’ve got you covered.

If white vinegar and washing up liquid doesn’t do the job. You can try using ammonia and dishwashing soap.

  • Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap in 2 cups warm water to make your magic formula.
  • Apply this solution to the stained area with a clean cloth. Mae sure it’s saturated in the solution.
  • Leave it for 30 mins to sink and work its magic.
  • After 30 mins, take a new sponge and dab the hair dye stain with extra solution. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes more.
  • You can keep repeating this process until the stains are totally gone.
removing stain from carpet

For synthetic carpets, try using hairspray or a mixture of soap and shampoo with warm water. You should let it sit for 5-10 minutes before blotting it up with a cloth or paper towels until all the solution has been removed.

For wool carpets, try combining white vinegar with washing up liquid – again letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before blotting it up with a cloth or paper towels until all the solution has been removed.

For cotton carpets, mix together some ammonia and dishwashing soap and apply liberally to the affected area, again letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before blotting it up with a cloth or paper towels until all the solution has been removed.

Finally, for carpets made from other fabrics such as jute or sisal, mix together baking soda and water and spread evenly across the affected area then allow to dry before vacuuming off any residue.

Will acetone remove hair dye from your carpet?

Acetone is an organic compound that has a number of uses such as removing nail polish and cleaning up spills like ink or blood, but it also happens to remove dye from carpets too.

BE CAREFUL. The problem with this solution is that it can change the color of your carpet. Acetone eats colour, but if you have a light carpet, it could work for you.

  • Use a white cloth or white paper towel to dab the area with acetone.
  • You need a white cloth as any other colour may end up transferring the colour to the carpet and making the whole thing worse!
  • Dab it gently and wait in between to see how much of the colour fades. You don’t want to use any more acetone than you need to.
  • When all the colour has been removed, rinse the area with cold water and dab it dry with a sponge.

How does baking soda remove hair dye from the carpet?

Baking soda is great at absorbing moisture; this includes water-based substances such as fruit juice, coffee and even hair dye spills.

  • Start by sprinkling baking soda over the stain and giving it time to absorb some of the wetness – this will make it easier for later steps if needed.
  • Then mix up hot water and salt/baking soda together until it forms a soluble paste.
  • Apply this mixture to the affected area and leave it to sink in for at least one hour. You can leave it longer or even overnight for really stubborn stains.
  • When the colour has vanished, simply vacuum up the solution and wipe any excess with a damp cloth.

Does vinegar discolour carpets?

Carpets are not immune to the effects of cleaning products, and vinegar is no exception.

The acidity in vinegar can cause discolouration over time. White vinegar when diluted is an effective stain remover. The clear liquid won’t discolour your carpets like other vinegars will.

We recommend using a different type of cleaner on your carpets if you want to avoid any potential damage or staining that could result from using this product.

How to prevent getting hair dye on the carpet!

Let’s take a look at how to keep your carpet safe from hair dye mishaps and keep your carpets looking pristine!

Tip #1 Cover Up!

The first step is to make sure that you’ve covered up any areas where dye might potentially land.

This includes laying down plastic sheeting, old towels, or even newspaper on your floor before you start applying the dye.

If you have any furniture in the area that could come into contact with stray dye particles, it’s best to cover those pieces as well.

If you’re concerned about staining your furniture, consider putting a protective coating of wax over it before starting.

Top #2 Wear protective gear

Of course, you need to protect yourself too! Wearing the right protective gear will also help to prevent hair dye from landing on your carpet.

This means investing in things like gloves, aprons, and eyewear so that none of the dye gets onto your skin or clothing and transfers onto your carpets later on.

Although these items may seem a little extra for an at-home job, they are essential for professionals who work with dyes every day. Go figure!

Tip #3 Clean up quickly!

If some of the hair dye does manage to get onto your carpets or furniture, one of the best ways to minimize staining is to act quickly and clean up as soon as possible.

Different types of fabric require different cleaning methods, so make sure you know what kind of material you’re dealing with and use the appropriate cleaner for that surface type (or better yet—just call in a professional!).


Parting words.

When it comes to hair dye stains on carpets, time is of the essence. As soon as you spot the hair dye on your carpet, stop what you’re doing and get to work.

Make sure not to rub it in or pour more product onto an already stained area because this will only make things worse!

The best way is still a sponge with some dish soap and water- just scrub gently until all of the dye has been removed from your flooring.

You’ll be able to breathe easy knowing that your room isn’t going to look a mess anymore, too!

Good luck!

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!