Download Article
Download Article
This article was co-authored by Haim Shemesh. Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.
This article has been viewed 119,888 times.
Removing hair dye from a carpet is possible with the right ingredients and technique. First, try removing it without using harsh chemicals. A mixture of water, vinegar, and dish soap can be used, as well as rubbing alcohol. For a stronger cleaning tool, try an ammonia-based cleaning solution. As a final option, use hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain aggressively. If your carpet is discolored after removing the hair dye, try re-coloring it with a fabric pen.
Things You Should Know
- Apply a mixture 2 c (0.47 L) cups of warm water, 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of dishwashing liquid, and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of white vinegar.
- Alternatively, treat the carpet with 2 c (0.47 L) of warm water with 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of dish soap and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of ammonia.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide to the carpet using an eye dropper as another option.
Steps
-
![Step 1 Dab a dish soap mixture onto the stain with a clean cloth.]()
Dab a dish soap mixture onto the stain with a clean cloth. In a large bowl or bucket, pour 2 cups (0.47 L) cups of warm water, along with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of dish washing liquid and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of white vinegar.[1] Dip a clean cloth into the cleaning mixture, wringing out the cloth to avoid saturating the carpet. Gently press onto the stain with the cloth instead of rubbing it, which could embed it deeper into the carpet fibers. -
![Step 2 Blot the stain with a dry cloth as you clean.]()
Blot the stain with a dry cloth as you clean. After applying the cleaning mixture onto the hair dye stain, use a clean, dry cloth to blot the area. This dry cloth should soak up some of the dye loosened by the cleaning mixture. Alternate between applying the cleaning liquid and blotting it up with the dry towel until the stain disappears.- Be sure to use a cloth that you don't mind getting dirty.
Advertisement -
![Step 3 Sponge the area with water and blot it with another dry cloth.]()
Sponge the area with water and blot it with another dry cloth. Once the stain is removed, dab the area with a sponge dipped in clean water. Wet the entire area. Use a clean, dry cloth to draw the water out of the carpet. -
![Step 4 Apply rubbing alcohol if necessary.]()
Apply rubbing alcohol if necessary. If traces of hair dye linger, use rubbing alcohol to try to loosen it. Pour the alcohol onto a clean cloth and blot the stain. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
-
![Step 1 Apply an ammonia solution to the carpet stain.]()
Apply an ammonia solution to the carpet stain. Put on cleaning gloves to protect your hands. In a bowl or bucket, mix 2 cups (0.47 L) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of dish soap and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of ammonia.[2] Dip a clean cloth in the ammonia solution and wring it out. Dab it onto the hair dye spill until the entire surface of the stain is covered. [3]- Try an ammonia solution if cleaning with dish soap, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol does not work to remove hair dye from your carpet.
- Open doors or windows to create ventilation while you use this solution, which can cause poisoning.[4]
-
![Step 2 Let the solution sit on the stain for 30 minutes.]()
Let the solution sit on the stain for 30 minutes. After covering the stain with the ammonia cleaning solution, leave it untouched to allow the solution to work. Set a timer or cell phone alarm to keep track of the time. Keep children and pets away from the area.[5] -
![Step 3 Sponge on more solution every 5 minutes until the stain disappears.]()
Sponge on more solution every 5 minutes until the stain disappears. After 30 minutes, dip a new, clean cloth in the ammonia solution. Wring it out. Dab on more solution and let it sit for 5 minutes this time.[6] -
![Step 4 Sponge on cold water and air-dry.]()
Sponge on cold water and air-dry. Once the stain is removed, wet a clean cloth or sponge with water. Dab the water onto the carpet thoroughly and use another clean cloth to blot it out. Let the carpet dry for 24 hours.
-
![Step 1 Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain with an eye dropper.]()
Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain with an eye dropper. Make sure you cover the stain completely, but avoid getting hydrogen peroxide elsewhere on the carpet. If you don't have an eyedropper, you can also carefully apply the hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon.- Note that hydrogen peroxide may strip your carpet of its color, so this should be used as a last-ditch method after trying other options.
-
![Step 2 Let the carpet dry for 24 hours.]()
Let the carpet dry for 24 hours. Leave the hydrogen peroxide on your carpet to work on the stain. Keep children and animals away from the area during this time. Allow a full 24 hours to pass without touching the stain.[7] -
![Step 3 Dab the area with a wet sponge.]()
Dab the area with a wet sponge. After 24 hours, blot out the hydrogen peroxide with water. Wet a clean sponge and gently press it down onto the surface of the stain. Allow the spot to air dry.[8] -
![Step 4 Re-color the faded area if necessary.]()
Re-color the faded area if necessary. If the hydrogen peroxide causes discoloration to your carpet, purchase a felt-tip fabric marking pen at a craft store that closely matches your carpet color. Apply the color in light strokes to the faded part of the carpet until the color is fully applied. Let the area dry for 24 hours and apply more color if necessary.[9]- Test the marker on a piece of fabric first to see the actual color.
Expert Q&A
Things You'll Need
Using Dish Soap, Vinegar, and Rubbing Alcohol
- Dish washing liquid
- White vinegar
- A bowl or bucket
- Clean cloths
- Rubbing alcohol
Using an Ammonia Solution
- Dish washing liquid
- Ammonia
- Clean cloths
Removing Stubborn Dye with Hydrogen Peroxide
- Hydrogen peroxide
- An eye dropper
- A wet sponge
- A fabric marking pen
Tips
-
If you find yourself struggling to remove the hair dye from your carpet, consider calling a professional to help you successfully remove it.[10]Thanks
References
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17217/stains-hair-dye-may07/
- ↑ https://homequicks.com/ways-to-get-hair-dye-stains-out-of-carpets
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17217/stains-hair-dye-may07/
- ↑ https://homequicks.com/ways-to-get-hair-dye-stains-out-of-carpets
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17217/stains-hair-dye-may07/
- ↑ https://homequicks.com/ways-to-get-hair-dye-stains-out-of-carpets
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17217/stains-hair-dye-may07/
- ↑ https://homequicks.com/ways-to-get-hair-dye-stains-out-of-carpets
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17217/stains-hair-dye-may07/
- ↑ Haim Shemesh. Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
About This Article
If you get hair dye on your carpet, you can get it out using a few simple ingredients you probably already have around the house. Try mixing 2 cups of warm water with 1 tablespoon each of white vinegar and dish soap and blotting the stain with it. Alternatively, you can use 2 cups of warm water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Apply the mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes before blotting it up. As a last resort, try applying hydrogen peroxide to the stain and letting it dry for 24 hours before blotting it up. Just keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can strip carpet of its color, so you may need to recolor the area with a felt tip marker. To learn how to dry your carpet after removing hair dye from it, keep reading!
Did this article help you?
