Dyeing your hair at home can be fun but one thing that you aren’t always prepared for is stains in your bathroom. In this article, we’ll tell you how to get hair dye out of your shower.
Here’s 7 easy ways to remove hair dye from the shower:
- Use A Damp Sponge And Soap
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Use A Magic Eraser
- Bathroom Cleaner
- Nail Polish Remover
- OxiClean
- Baking Soda And Vinegar
Read below for full instructions.
Why Is Hair Dye So Difficult To Remove
Permanent hair dye contains both natural and synthetic pigments mixed with chemicals which work by penetrating the hair strand and depositing color.
Semi-permanent hair dye is also made in the same way except it does not permanently bind to the hair.
Despite this, all hair dye has the ability to stick to fabric fibres and stain surfaces.
Some types of hair dye will be very difficult to remove while others may wipe quite easily. This often depends on the color.
Black, deep brown, and deep red can be very tough to remove simply because they are darker.
Bright, vivid pinks and purples may also leave stubborn stains on bathroom surfaces if they are not wiped up immediately.
Hair dye is designed to stick to the hair strand and remain there, so it’s understandable that it would have the same effect on surfaces.
Dye is easier to remove when it’s fresh because at this point it hasn’t had time to set.
Once it sets, it becomes more stubborn. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still remove it, it will just take a bit more effort.
Also Read: The Pros And Cons of Henna Hair Dye (with examples)
How To Remove Hair Dye From Shower
Whether you’re trying a new style or coloring gray hair, that at some point you will get hair dye on your shower walls, tiles, and maybe even a few stains on wood.
While it’s easier to avoid stains on the bathroom floor and surfaces, the shower is far more difficult. If you have porcelain or ceramic tiles you need to be careful so you don’t damage them.
Some solutions and cleaning products may be too harsh and are best to be avoided. Thankfully, there are many natural and safe cleaning products that you can use on various surfaces:
Use A Damp Sponge And Soap
firstly, open the window if you haven’t yet gotten rid of the hair dye smell. If you act quickly then a damp sponge and some regular soap may be enough to remove the stain.
Rub at the stain for a few minutes and see if there’s any difference.
If it’s starting to fade then keep rubbing at it for a few more minutes to see if it lifts. If the stain still firmly remains then it’s going to take a lot more to completely remove it.
Lemon Essential Oil
One of the gentlest and natural methods of removing stains is by using lemon essential oil.
While it’s quite mild compared to other stain removers, it can still be effective.
It can often be used in the shower without any problems. Put a few drops of the oil on to a cloth or sponge and rub at the stain.
It might take a few minutes before you see a noticeable difference. If nothing changes then the stain is probably too stubborn against natural solutions. You will have to move to another method.
Use A Magic Eraser
A magic eraser sponge is one of the best ways to remove hair dye from the shower as it’s convenient and doesn’t require the use of chemicals.
If you are unsure about using harsh cleaning products or bleach in your shower, then a magic eraser may be the best option.
All you need to do is put it under running water and squeeze out any excess liquid.
Then you just need to rub at the stain for a few minutes until it starts to lift. If this doesn’t remove the stain then you’ll likely need to use a stronger cleaning product.
Bathroom Cleaner
That’s right, your regular bathroom cleaner can actually help to get hair dye stains out of the shower.
It contains a mixture of chemicals that are designed to lift dirt and kill bacteria, so it could potentially work on stubborn stains as well.
Spray a generous amount over any of the stained areas and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. After the time is up, use a sponge to rub against the stains and help to remove them.
You can repeat this method twice if needed.
For best results, you should use the bathroom cleaner as soon as you notice the stain. If it’s left to sit too long, your usual bathroom cleaner might not be able to completely lift it.
Also Read: The Best Hair Dyes For Keratin Treated Hair
Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover is something that many of us have in our homes.
And while it won’t make your shower smell particularly nice, it is supposed to be great at targeting stubborn stains because it contains acetone.
Acetone is designed for dissolving pigments, and so can help remove hair dye.
While it’s not recommended for use on certain surfaces like wood, it should be suitable for use in the shower.
Remember to do a small patch test first. Apply a small amount to a cotton ball or pad and rub the area gently in circular motions.
If there’s no reaction, you can continue to rub more vigorously at the stain and it might start to lift.
Typically, nail varnish remover works best on fresh stains. So if it doesn’t remove those stubborn hair dye stains, it’s time to move on to something else.
OxiClean
OxiClean is a stain remover that works well on tough stains like ink and dye. It can be mixed with water and applied to the affected area.
While OxiClean is usually fine to use on most materials, you should do a small patch test first just to be safe.
Apply just a small amount of product to a cloth or sponge and rub gently at first. If the area remains unaffected then you can continue to rub against the stain to see if it lifts.
Always follow the instructions and do not mix this with bleach or any other cleaning products.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Baking soda, also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, is a kitchen staple that you will probably have in your home.
The great thing about baking soda is that it’s naturally tough on stains, even if they are very old.
That’s why baking soda is commonly recommended to use on old, dirty trainers to leave them looking brand new.
If you prefer to use something milder and safer in the bathroom, then baking soda is the best option.
It’s typically safe to use on all surfaces without the worry of it damaging any materials or fabrics so it’s safe to use in the shower.
It can be mixed with water or vinegar to form a paste. You will see a bubbly reaction when mixing baking soda with vinegar caused by a chemical reaction.
Now you just need to apply the thick paste with an old toothbrush or cloth. Let it sit on the shower wall or tiles for at least a couple of minutes.
This gives it time to react with the stain. Using an old toothbrush or cloth, rub at the stain until it starts to work against the dye particles.
If it’s working, you should be able to see some color rub off on the cloth or toothbrush. Keep doing it for a few minutes to ensure you completely remove it.
Also Read: How To Remove Hair Dye With Developer
How To Prevent Hair Dye From Staining Shower
Unfortunately, it can be hard to prevent hair dye from staining the shower, but there are a few things that you can consider for the future.
Pour Oil In The Shower
It’s not clear just how effective this method is but some people have seen great results with it.
You can use coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil, or any oil that you have at home. Before you start dyeing your hair pour a generous amount in your shower along the floor tiles, walls, or even your bathtub.
Try rubbing it into the surfaces, especially any cracks or crevices that you can see. This is important because hair dye can seep into these areas and remain there.
After you’ve dyed your hair and rinsed out the color, all you need to do is wipe up the surfaces with an old cloth or paper towels.
You can then proceed to rinse out the shower or bathtub like normal. Hopefully, you should notice fewer stains or no stains at all!
Consider Seeing A Professional
You can take preventative steps but it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get stains on your bathroom surfaces.
The best and only way to ensure this is to get your hair dyed by a professional. By doing this you avoid the lengthy process of dyeing the hair, rinsing it out, and cleaning up the mess.
Everything is taken care of from start to finish and your bathroom is protected against stains. It might not always be an option, but it’s something to consider if the problem keeps occurring.
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