Spilled hair dye on your clothes? Deep breath — it happens to the best of us. Maybe you were going for a bold new shade and your shirt caught a little splash of creativity.
The good news? That outfit isn’t necessarily ruined. With the right tricks, you can lift those stubborn stains and save your favorite pieces.
Whether it’s a fresh splatter or a set-in mark, here’s exactly how to get hair dye out of clothes — without losing your mind in the process.
How to Get Hair Dye Out Of Clothes- What to Know Before You Start
Before you grab the nearest cleaning product and go to town on your clothes, here are a few quick things to keep in mind:
- Blot, don’t rub. Rubbing can push the dye deeper into the fibers and spread the stain. Instead, gently blot with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Test first. Always try your cleaning method on an inside seam or hidden spot to make sure it won’t damage or bleach your fabric.
- Skip the hot water. Heat sets stains, so stick with cold or lukewarm water until the dye is completely gone.
- Act fast if you can. Fresh stains are way easier to tackle than dried ones. If you catch it early, you’ve already got the upper hand.
Once you’ve got these basics down, you’re ready to pick the right method for your situation.
Watch and learn: How to remove hair dye from clothes.
Best Methods to Remove Hair Dye from Clothes
When it comes to hair dye stains, one size doesn’t fit all. The method you choose depends on whether the stain is fresh or dried, what fabric you’re working with, and what you’ve got handy at home. Here are four tried-and-true ways to lift those stubborn splashes:
Method 1: Dish Soap + Baking Soda
Best for: Fresh stains on most fabrics
This gentle combo works like a charm when you catch a stain quickly. The dish soap helps break down the dye pigments, while baking soda adds a mild abrasive boost.
How to use it:
- Blot up as much of the dye as possible with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two tablespoons of baking soda to form a paste.
- Apply the paste directly onto the stain and gently work it in with your fingers or a soft brush.
- Let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water, then launder as usual.
Pros: Safe for most fabrics, easy with household staples.
Cons: Won’t do much on dried or set-in stains.
Method 2: Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
Best for: Dried or stubborn stains on colorfast fabrics
When dish soap isn’t enough, rubbing alcohol steps in as the heavy lifter. It helps dissolve the dye molecules so they can be flushed out.
How to use it:
- Place a clean white towel under the stained area to absorb excess dye.
- Dip a cotton ball or cloth in rubbing alcohol and dab it onto the stain.
- Keep blotting — you should see the dye start to transfer onto the towel.
- Rinse with cold water and repeat if needed.
- Wash the garment as usual once the stain lightens.
Pros: Excellent for dried stains, works fast.
Cons: Can fade fabric colors — always test first. Not ideal for delicate fabrics.
Method 3: Oxygen-Based Bleach
Best for: White cotton or linen (not for delicates or colored fabrics)
If you’re battling a stubborn stain on a white garment, oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) can be a lifesaver. Unlike chlorine bleach, it’s gentler but still effective at lifting dye pigments.
How to use it:
- Fill a sink or bucket with warm water (check your garment’s care label).
- Add the recommended amount of oxygen bleach.
- Submerge the stained item and let it soak for several hours (overnight if needed).
- Rinse thoroughly and launder as usual.
Pros: Powerful on whites, great for big stains.
Cons: Not safe for silk, wool, or colored fabrics — it can cause fading.
Method 4: Commercial Stain Removers
Best for: Colorful clothes, set-in stains, or when DIY fails
Sometimes it pays to bring in the pros. Color-safe stain removers are formulated to target tough stains without stripping color.
How to use it:
- Read the label carefully (every product is different).
- Apply the stain remover directly to the affected area.
- Let it sit for the time suggested on the package.
- Wash the garment in the warmest water safe for the fabric.
Pros: Convenient, designed for fabric safety.
Cons: Costlier than DIY options, results may vary depending on brand.
Pro tip: If one method doesn’t fully remove the stain, don’t be afraid to try another. Just make sure you rinse thoroughly between attempts so the cleaning solutions don’t react with each other.What if you have a delicate fabric?
How to Remove Hair Dye from Different Fabrics
Different fabrics react differently to cleaning methods, so it’s important to tailor your approach. Here’s how to handle the most common types:
Cotton
Good news: cotton is durable and usually forgiving. Most of the methods above — especially dish soap + baking soda or rubbing alcohol — work well.
Quick steps:
- Blot the stain to remove excess dye.
- Apply dish soap + baking soda paste for fresh stains.
- For dried stains, switch to rubbing alcohol.
- Wash in cold water and air-dry (heat can set lingering dye).
Tip: Don’t put cotton garments in the dryer until you’re 100% sure the stain is gone.
Polyester
Synthetic fabrics like polyester can be trickier since they tend to “hold on” to dye pigments. Rubbing alcohol or a color-safe commercial remover usually works best here.
Quick steps:
- Blot with cold water immediately if fresh.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and gently dab.
- Rinse and repeat until the stain fades.
- Wash in cold water with a heavy-duty detergent.
Warning: Avoid bleach on polyester — it can weaken the fibers and cause discoloration.
Wool & Silk (Delicates)
Delicates require a gentler touch. Harsh scrubbing or strong chemicals can damage these fabrics, so tread carefully.
Quick steps:
- Blot gently with a damp cloth — no rubbing.
- Mix a mild detergent (wool wash or baby shampoo works) with cool water.
- Dab the solution onto the stain using a soft cloth.
- Rinse carefully in cold water.
- If needed, take it to a dry cleaner — better safe than sorry.
Tip: Always spot test first. With wool and silk, even “safe” cleaners can surprise you.
Denim
Denim is sturdy, which means you can be a bit more aggressive. Both DIY and commercial stain removers tend to work well.
Quick steps:
- Blot up fresh dye quickly.
- Use dish soap + baking soda paste for new stains.
- For older marks, try rubbing alcohol or oxygen bleach (for light denim only).
- Wash on a cold cycle.
Bonus: If the stain won’t budge, a little intentional distressing or tie-dye effect can give denim a new lease on life.
Quick Tips for Success
A few small changes in how you treat the stain can make all the difference. Keep these in your back pocket:
Don’t forget to test. A quick spot test prevents unwanted surprises (like a faded patch or fabric damage).
Move fast. The quicker you act, the higher your chances of saving the fabric.
Always blot first. Press, don’t scrub — scrubbing just spreads the stain deeper.
Cold water is your friend. Hot water sets dye, making it harder to remove.
Check before drying. If the stain isn’t fully gone, don’t tumble dry — heat will lock it in permanently.
Double up if needed. Sometimes one round isn’t enough. Try a second method, but rinse between attempts.
How to remove hair dye at a glance
Here’s a cheat sheet you can come back to when you need a fast answer:
| Stain Type | Best Method | Safe For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh dye | Dish soap + baking soda | Most fabrics | Act fast for the best results! |
| Dried dye | Rubbing alcohol | Colorfast fabrics | May take a few tries — be patient. |
| On whites | Oxygen-based bleach | Cotton, linen | Avoid on silk, wool, or colored fabrics. |
| Stubborn stains | Commercial stain remover | Read product label | Test first to make sure it’s color-safe. |
FAQs About Removing Hair Dye From Clothes
Can vinegar remove hair dye from clothes?
Vinegar can help with many stains, but it’s not usually strong enough for hair dye. You’ll have better luck with dish soap, baking soda, or rubbing alcohol.
Will hair dye come out after washing?
If you toss a stained shirt straight into the washer, chances are the stain will set. Always pre-treat the stain first before laundering — it’s your best shot at removing it.
How do I remove hair dye from jeans?
Denim is sturdy, so you can go in with dish soap + baking soda for fresh stains or rubbing alcohol for dried ones. For light-colored denim, oxygen bleach may also work. Just remember: always use cold water.
What if the stain doesn’t come out?
Sometimes a stain just won’t budge, no matter what. If that happens, don’t stress too much — you can repurpose the item for tie-dye, DIY projects, or even keep it as your “at-home hair dyeing shirt.” Fashion crisis averted.
Parting words.
Hair dye stains can feel like a mini fashion emergency, but most of the time, they’re totally fixable. The key is to act quickly, choose the right method for your fabric, and stay patient — sometimes it takes a couple of tries.
And hey, even if the stain doesn’t completely disappear, all is not lost. A little creative tie-dye or DIY flair can turn a “ruined” shirt into a one-of-a-kind piece. After all, style is about having fun, right?
So the next time a splash of dye goes rogue, don’t panic — you’ve got the know-how to handle it like a pro.
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair color stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
