How to Get Hair Dye Stain out of Linoleum

Co-authored by Filip Boksa

Last Updated: September 15, 2023

Since most people dye their hair in the bathroom, staining a linoleum floor or counter is a common experience. Even though hair dye can leave a dark, stubborn stain that can be difficult to remove with normal cleaners, there are several ways to remove hair dye stains on linoleum surfaces. Always spot test your linoleum in an inconspicuous place before cleaning the stain, then try removing the hair dye with rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, alcohol-based hairspray or another powerful cleaner.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Dabbing and Scrubbing After the Stain Forms

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If you act immediately after the stain forms, you will have a much better chance of easily removing it. Begin by using a clean cloth to blot at the hair dye stain. Use gentle up and down tapping motions, and avoid rubbing or spreading the hair dye around, as this can stain an even larger area of your linoleum floor.
Once you have absorbed most of the excess hair dye that is sitting on top of the stain, wet another clean cloth and continue blotting at the hair dye stain. Keep blotting until no more stain is being lifted.

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Fill a large bucket with warm water, then add a squirt of all purpose cleaner. Swirl the water around so that the water and soap mix.^{[1]
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Dip a Mr. Clean magic eraser into the soapy water, then begin to scrub at the stain. The soapy water will keep the stain damp so that it set slower, and the magic eraser works as an extremely fine sandpapering tool that is highly effective at dislodging the dye stain.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

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1
Spot test rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol runs the risk of staining your linoleum surface, so before applying rubbing alcohol on the stain, it's important to test it first on your linoleum. Add rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball, then dab the cotton ball on an inconspicuous area of your linoleum surface, such as in a corner.^{[3]
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- Wait about 10 minutes, then check on the area. If the linoleum has lightened considerably or has turned a different color, do not use the rubbing alcohol on the stain.
Apply rubbing alcohol liberally to a clean cloth, then dab at the stain with the cloth so that the rubbing alcohol transfers to the stain.
After dabbing the stain and coating it in rubbing alcohol, let the stain sit for several minutes to allow the rubbing alcohol to sink in and start dislodging the dye stain.
After letting the rubbing alcohol soak in for a few minutes, start dabbing again at the hair dye stain with the damp cloth. Dab until the stain is completely removed or you are no longer lifting any more stain.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Acetone

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1
Spot test acetone. Apply a small amount of nail polish remover, also called acetone, to a cotton ball and dab at an inconspicuous spot on your linoleum surface. Wait several minutes and check the spot. If the acetone hasn't damaged the surface or changed the color of the linoleum, it is safe to use.^{[4]
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- Acetone is slightly more abrasive than rubbing alcohol, so try to use it only if the rubbing alcohol did not work.
2
Rub at the stain with acetone. Apply acetone to a cotton ball, making sure it's fully saturated, then rub the cotton ball in circular motions over the stained portion of the linoleum. Rub the stained area until the stain stops lifting or comes out completely.^{[5]
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- If dye starts coming out, discard the cotton ball, saturate another cotton ball with acetone, and use it so that you don't rub the dye back into the linoleum.
3
Wipe the area with water. Once the stain has been removed or isn't lifting anymore, dampen a clean cotton ball in water and rub over the area you were cleaning to wipe away any acetone residue.
- Since acetone is a somewhat caustic substance, it's not a good idea to leave any excess or residue on the linoleum.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Alcohol- Based Hairspray

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1
Spot test hairspray. Spray a small amount of alcohol- based hairspray on an inconspicuous area of the linoleum surface and let it sit for several minutes. If the linoleum looks unchanged, go ahead and use the hairspray to tackle the hair dye stain.^{[6]
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- Make sure to use alcohol-based hairspray, as the alcohol is the agent that will work to lift the stain. Alcohol is typically an ingredient in cheaper brands of hairspray.
Hold the bottle of hairspray about a foot (30.48 cm) from the stain and spray thoroughly so that the stain is wet with hairspray but not soaked. Let the hairspray sit on the stain for several minutes.^{[7]
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Use a clean cloth to dab at the stain using patting motions. Dab until the stain is completely lifted or until dabbing no longer has any effect.^{[8]
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Wet a clean towel with water and wipe at the stain to remove any excess hairspray.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using Chlorine Bleach

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1
Spot test the bleach. Pour a small amount of chlorine bleach onto a clean rag and dab it into the linoleum in an inconspicuous area. Bleach has a lightening effect if not used on an already light surface, so if the linoleum looks discolored or markedly lighter, do not use bleach to clean the stain.^{[9]
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- Bleach should only be used as a last resort. Some advise never to use bleach on linoleum, while others report success in removing hair dye stains. This is why spot testing bleach is essential; if it discolors the surface of the linoleum, it should not be used since it can cause even more damage.
- Wear gloves when using bleach.
2
Dab at the stain with bleach. If the bleach is safe to use on your linoleum surface, apply the bleach to a cotton ball, then rub at the dye stain, taking care to not rub outside the stained area.^{[10]
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- As you are cleaning, you may find it helpful to rub the area clean with water to get a better idea of your progress before blotting again with bleach.
Once you have finished removing the stain, damped a clean rag with water and rub the area you were cleaning to get rid of any excess bleach or other cleaners.

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Question

How do you get stains out of linoleum floors?

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Filip Boksa is a House Cleaning Professional and the CEO and Founder of King of Maids, a company based in Chicago, Illinois. With over 10 years of professional experience, Filip and his team at King Maids specialize in providing home cleaning and organization services to their clients. They are dedicated to delivering high-quality and reliable service to ensure customer satisfaction.

Filip Boksa

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Always begin by completely sweeping of the floor. Prepare a bucket with 1 gallon of hot water, 1 cup of vinegar, and a couple of drops of dish soap. Use a microfiber mop to gently lift dirt and grime.

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Manic panic bleach on marmoleum, removal?

Community Answer

Since marmoleum is a type of linoleum, try cleaning with the methods described in the article, starting by scrubbing with a Magic Eraser.

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Tips

Always spot test before using potent cleaners, as they could cause your linoleum surface even more damage.

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If the stain is not recent, still try to wipe it away with soapy water and a magic eraser.

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