Once you color your hair to that blonde, black or other color you love, chances are high that you’ll rinse it off in the bathroom. It’s much easier here with the running water from the shower. However, the hair dye can easily stain parts of your shower. If you don’t clean it out early enough, the stains might get permanent.
Mix bleach and water in equal parts and apply it to the stain then rinse after 10 minutes to remove hair dye from shower stalls. Other options include using dish soap, WD-40, nail polish remover, bleach white vinegar, Dawn, Magic Erasers, rubbing alcohol, hairspray, and whitening toothpaste.
How to remove hair dye from shower stalls
The methods discussed below can also be used to get hair dye off the sink when dried. Remove hair dye from the parts of your shower stall using the following items:
1. Dish soap
Apply a generous amount of dish soap to the dye stain then use a sponge to scrub the stain off. Rinse with water afterward. You may need to repeat this method several times to completely get rid of the stain.
The dish soap method works best when the dye is still fresh on the surface in the shower. If this method doesn’t work right away, try one of the methods described below.
2. WD-40
Spray generous amounts of WD-40 on the stained surface, wait for 15 minutes then wipe it down with a dry clean piece of cloth. WD-40 is an all-purpose cleaner that works on all surfaces from glass doors to porcelain and even ceramic.
3. Nail polish remover (nail varnish remover)
Dab a cotton ball in an acetone-based nail polish remover then use it to remove the hair dye from the stained surface. This method works for hair dye stains on the shower, counters, and bathtubs as well.
The downside to using nail polish remover to rinse out hair dye in the shower is that can damage the surfaces on polished or painted areas.
4. Bleach
Mix equal parts of bleach and water then apply to the stain and wait for 10 minutes before rinsing. You may need to do a little scrubbing to fully get the hair dye stain off.
Avoid using strong bleach since it can easily damage the surface of your tub, tiles, and even glass. Also, bleach should only be used on non-porous surfaces such as tiles, baths, basins, and toilets.
5. White vinegar and baking soda
Add white vinegar to half a cup of baking soda until you make a smooth paste. Apply the paste to the stain then wait for 15 minutes before scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush or sponge. Rinse it with water afterward.
If the stain doesn’t go away, repeat the procedure until it works. White vinegar is usable with most bathroom surfaces and won’t be an issue.
6. Bathroom cleaners
Apply the bathroom cleaner to the stained area then scrub it off with a sponge before rinsing with clean water.
Cleaners like Dawn provide one of the best cleaning experiences, especially when used while the hair dye is fresh. Dawn can also be used to remove dye off the skin.
7. Rubbing alcohol
Dab a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol then rub it on the area stained by the hair dye. You don’t need to rinse after this. Isopropyl alcohol also works great to remove hair dye stains.
Rubbing alcohol, just like nail polish remover, can remove the top layer of a surface such as the polish or paint on a surface. You should thus only use it on surfaces that won’t be affected.
Rubbing alcohol and soap are used to remove hair dye stains from the skin. Wet a cotton ball with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and soap then rub it on the area stained by the dye. Rinse it off afterward. This procedure works for all kinds of dye including black dye. You can also use it to remove hair dye from the skin around the hairline.
8. Baking soda and water
Add water to a cup of baking soda until you form a consistent paste then use the paste on a sponge to rub the area stained with hair dye. Rinse with water afterward.
You should get hair dye stains out of a bathtub with this method. However, since it’s a method reliant on scrubbing, doing it too much might damage the surface of your tub hence the need to be careful.
9. Hairspray
Spray an alcohol-based hairspray onto the hair dye stain then wipe it away with a piece of cloth or paper towel. This method works best on hair dye on furniture and clothing.
One of the best hairsprays to use for removing hair dye in a bathtub is Got2b.
10. Olive oil
Apply olive oil using a cotton ball to the areas stained by hair dye then wait for an hour before wiping it off. Olive also works when getting rid of hair dye stains on the skin.
11. Denture cleaner
Dissolve 2 to 3 denture cleaner tablets in warm water then apply the solution to the stained surface then soak for 15 minutes. Scrub and rinse afterward.
Denture cleaners have baking soda and citric acid which clean surfaces including your teeth.
12. Lemon juice
Soak the stained surface in lemon juice for 10 minutes then rinse it off. The acidic lemon juice will clean off the hair dye stain on the surface of your choice including your fingernails.
13. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2.5 parts baking soda and mix to a smooth paste. Apply on the surface stained by hair dye then wait for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing it off. Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide also works for the removal of hair dye stains on carpets and rags.
14. Whitening toothpaste
Apply whitening toothpaste to the surface stained by hair dye then scrub it using a soft toothbrush before rinsing it off with water.
15. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Wipe the stained surface with a Magic Eraser then let it air dry. Magic Erasers don’t require rinsing or wiping dry after using them.
16. Dawn and white vinegar
Mix a tablespoon of Dawn cleaner with a tablespoon of white vinegar then add two cups of warm water. Dab the mixture with a piece of cotton then blot the stain with it. This method works best for hair dye stains on carpets and rags. Dawn is a great hair dye stain remover for most surfaces.
Always be careful when using these items as some of them such as bleach can emit toxic fumes and are corrosive to the skin and even the surfaces you use. Open the windows to your bathroom for proper circulation and use protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and an apron.
How to prevent hair dye from staining the shower or skin
Prevent hair dye from staining your skin by applying a film of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or lip balm to the exposed parts of the skin. After rinsing the dye from the hair, wipe off the jelly from the skin.
Hair dye will stick less on surfaces that are shiny and slippery. To prevent hair dye from staining your shower surfaces, always make sure to clean the shower stall and dry it at all times.