All of us have been there before – you’re just trying to dye your hair and then you realize that the bottle has spilt all over the place and there are splats up the wall!
It’s a mess, but not to worry! Check out these quick tips on how to get hair dye off walls in no time at all.
Table of Contents
- How do you remove hair dye from walls?
- Method #1 Mild Dish Soap
- Method #2 Lemon Juice
- Method #3 Non-Gel Toothpaste
- Method #4 Magic Eraser
- Method #5 Rubbing Alcohol
- Method #6 Baking Soda Paste
- Method #7 White Vinegar Solution
- Method #8 Hydrogen Peroxide
- #9 Bleach Solution
- How to Prevent Hair Dye Stains on Walls.
- Can all hair dye stains be removed?
- Watch and learn: How to remove hair dye from surfaces.
- Parting words
How do you remove hair dye from walls?
Dyeing your hair at home is easy, but when you make a mess it can be hard to clean up.
Hair dye spills are the worst! Whether you’re in the middle of dyeing your hair or trying to get rid of some old dye that’s been sitting on the door of your bathroom cabinet for months, getting this stuff off walls and surfaces is no fun at all.
There will always be a hair dye mishap. But don’t panic! With the right supplies and some time, any stain can be removed from your walls – even those pesky ones left behind by hair dye spills.
We’ve got just the thing for you – check out these quick tips on how to get permanent hair dye off surfaces in no time at all using ingredients you already have at home.
Method #1 Mild Dish Soap
How It Works
Dish soap breaks down the oils in the dye, loosening its grip on the wall.
What to Do
- Mix a few drops of dish soap in warm water.
- Dip a soft sponge in the solution and gently blot the stain.
Precautions
Avoid scrubbing harshly, which can damage the paint or wall surface.
Method #2 Lemon Juice
How It Works
The natural acidity of lemon juice helps dissolve the dye.
What to Do
- Squeeze lemon juice directly onto the stain.
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Precautions
Lemon juice can be mildly bleaching. Test on an inconspicuous area first.
Method #3 Non-Gel Toothpaste
How It Works
The mild abrasives in toothpaste can help lift the dye.
What to Do
- Apply toothpaste to the stain.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then rinse off.
Precautions
Suitable for small, less stubborn stains only.
Method #4 Magic Eraser
How It Works
Magic erasers (Melamine Sponges) can remove stains through micro-scrubbing fibers.
What to Do
- Wet the magic eraser, squeeze out excess water.
- Gently rub over the stain.
Precautions
Use with light pressure to prevent paint damage.
Source: Hunker
Method #5 Rubbing Alcohol
How It Works
Alcohol breaks down the dye’s molecular bonds.
What to Do
- Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth.
- Dab the stained area.
Precautions
Conduct a spot test to avoid wall discoloration.
Method #6 Baking Soda Paste
How It Works
Baking soda’s mild abrasive quality gently scrubs away the dye.
What to Do
- Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
- Apply with a toothbrush in circular motions.
Precautions
Rinse the area with water to avoid leaving a residue.
Source: Paint Strategies
Method #7 White Vinegar Solution
How It Works
Vinegar’s acidity breaks down the dye compounds.
What to Do
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Dab the solution on the stain, then rinse.
Precautions
May affect some paint finishes; do a spot test first.
Source: Beezly
Method #8 Hydrogen Peroxide
How It Works
Acts as a mild bleach, lightening the dye stain.
What to Do
Apply a small amount on a cloth.
Dab gently, and wipe clean.
Precautions
Can bleach paints; use sparingly and test first.
#9 Bleach Solution
How It Works
Strong bleaching agent for non-painted surfaces.
What to Do
- Mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water.
- Apply with a cloth.
Precautions
Only use on bleach-safe surfaces; always wear gloves.
How to Prevent Hair Dye Stains on Walls.
“Prevention is better than cure,” as the saying goes. Here are some handy tips to prevent hair dye stains on your walls, saving you the hassle of cleaning up later:
- Use Protective Coverings: Before starting your hair dyeing process, cover nearby walls with plastic sheeting or old towels. This simple step can catch accidental splashes and drips.
- Dye Hair Away from Walls: If possible, choose a spot for hair dyeing that’s away from walls, such as the center of the room. This reduces the risk of splatters reaching the walls.
- Apply Dye Carefully: When applying dye, use slow and careful motions to avoid splashing. Rushing through the process increases the likelihood of accidents.
- Wear Gloves: Always wear gloves. This not only protects your hands but also gives you better control over the dye bottle, reducing spills.
- Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy: In case of a spill, having cleaning supplies like a wet cloth or sponge nearby can help you quickly address any drips before they set.
- Regular Maintenance: Regularly wipe down walls, especially in areas prone to splashes, to keep them clean and reduce the buildup of stains over time.
Expert Insights
“One trick I often use is applying a small amount of hair conditioner to the stain. Conditioners have ingredients that can soften and break down hair dye, making it easier to wipe off. Just apply a bit of conditioner to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently wipe away with a damp cloth.”
Enza Piazza, Hair Stylist & Color Consultant
Expert Insights
“I have found that soft scrub with bleach works pretty well. It may take a few times but give it a go.”
Carla Breche, Over 40 years as a cosmetologist
Can all hair dye stains be removed?
Hair dye stains can usually be removed successfully from your skin and nails.
Painted walls, stained carpets, clothes and upholstery can be trickier as the process to remove. The dye can alter the colour or texture of your clothes or paint!
That’s why it’s important to choose the right product to use to remove the pesky dye.
How to remove hair dye from painted walls – White vinegar is your friend or use a mix of baking soda and water and gently rub the stain. If your bathroom wall is painted, this can rub the paint away and make an unsightly patch so be careful! It might be a better solution to re-paint the wall
How to remove hair dye from skin – for this you can use water-based make-up removers or specially formulated solutions that are used in salons.
How to remove hair dye from clothes – Mix white vinegar with a little of your washing detergent and water and dab it directly onto the stains before washing as normal.
How to remove hair dye from counter – Baking soda works a treat for this. Just mix up a paste with some warm water and gently scrub the area with a sponge.
How to remove hair dye from carpets – Mix a solution of dish soap, water and good old white vinegar and gently dab the area with a cloth until the hair dye colour is removed.
How to remove hair dye from hair – if you want to get rid of colour pigment in your hair, there are several solutions you can try. From anti-dandruff shampoo to specially formulated hair colour removers.
Watch and learn: How to remove hair dye from surfaces.
Here’s a great video tutorial that shows you how to remove hair dye from a range of surfaces.
Parting words
The good news is that you can get hair dye off your walls with household items and a little bit of elbow grease.
Our top tips for getting rid of the evidence after a hair dye mess should help take some of the worry out if this has happened to you before.
So, don’t panic! Get started on cleaning up by following these simple steps and get your bathroom back into shape again. Good luck!
