Permanent hair dye coming out in shower

We’ve all been there — you’re finishing up an at-home hair coloring session only to realize your sink or tub resembles something straight out of a crime scene from your favorite TV show. Whether you’re new to dyeing your hair at home or are a hair dye pro, it can be hard to achieve your desired hair color without making a massive mess. So, how does one remove hair dye stains from the shower, tub, counters, and other furniture it may have left its mark on? Try these eight easy options below.

1. Hairspray 

Hairspray can be used for more than just setting your hairstyle, as the hair care staple can also be used to keep hair dye stains from setting into your furniture. If you catch the hair dye mess quickly, spritz the stain with a hairspray like the L’Oréal Paris Satin Extra Strong Hold, Light Hairspray Unscented and blot it away with a paper towel or rag. This works because hairspray is typically alcohol-based.

2. Nail Polish Remover 

It’s time to turn to another beauty item you’ll likely have on-hand: nail polish remover. An acetone-based nail polish remover is a great option for removing hair dye stains from your shower, tub, and counters. Use a cotton ball to apply the nail polish remover to the stained area, then wipe it away. Just keep in mind that this is not a good option for stains that are on a painted or finished surface, as the acetone will remove that too.

3. Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can also help to remove a hair dye stain. Apply some onto a cotton ball and rub it over the stained area, but keep in mind that this is another method to steer clear of when it comes to wood finishes and painted surfaces.

4. Vinegar and Baking Soda 

To try this method, you’ll need to mix a bit of vinegar and baking soda together to make a paste (you should have more baking soda than vinegar in order to avoid making it too liquid), then apply it to the hair dye stain. Depending on the size of the stain, you should use a sponge or old toothbrush to scrub away until the stain is gone. If the stain is still there after rinsing, repeat as needed.

5. Baking Soda and Water 

A baking soda paste made with just water can also work on a hair dye stain. Simply mix the baking soda with a bit of water, then rub the pasta onto the stain with a sponge until it disappears. 

6. Bathroom Cleaner 

It’s a good idea to give your regular bathroom cleaner a try, particularly for stains in your shower and tub. These cleaners are typically formulated with bleach and may be able to remove the stain if you catch it quickly enough. Apply the cleaner to the affected area and scrub with a porous sponge.

7. Bleach

If you need a stronger fix, bleach (which seems like an obvious solution to some people) is a great cleaning agent that can be used to remove hair dye stains in your bathroom. Mix equal parts bleach and water, apply it to the stain, and let the formula sit for about 10 minutes. When you wipe the bleach away, the stain should wipe away with it.

8. Dish Soap 

If your hair dye stain hasn’t been sitting for long, you may be able to get away with using regular liquid dish soap to remove it from your surfaces. Apply a liberal amount of soap to the stain and use a sponge to scrub the area.

What color line are you using? I don't recommend any over the counter haircolor formulations... Mainly because some contain a metallic compound which is very damaging and inconsistent to the hair... Not to mention if you futz up with a metallic permanent color and need a professional stylist to fix it or lighten the result, we will turn you away. All permanent haircolor is an alkaline compound (higher on the pH scale) when mixed with Metallic dyes (henna, herbal essence, sun-in etc) a chemical reaction will occur! Im not saying that you are using a metallic dye but it is a thought! Your shampoo may be stripping your color as well as your water (ex: hard water)! Whenever I dye my hair black it takes about 1 week or more to get the color rinsed completely (I have fine hair)! I would recommend seeing a stylist and asking them about ARTEC Shampoo... ARTEC is a shampoo deposit line (deposits color-way more effective than store bought brand) add the black shampoo into your routine (you can still use your shampoo) this will keep your color depth and tonality! Another thing to consider is hair porosity... If you color your hair alot the porosity will be high, meaning hair grabs color quick and dark yet the color fades faster! I suggest staying away from red (just stopped doing red myself). Red is the hardest color to maintain yet the hardest to remove (due to it's molecule size)! I don't want to bore you so any other questions ask.........................BTW Im a licensed hairstylist! Color is my thing!

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

If you could clarifly what you wrote above, I might be able to advise you.

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by trixie23

What color line are you using? BTW Im a licensed hairstylist! Color is my thing!

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

I don't know what to tell you hon

I have never dyed/treated my hair. I donate to Locks of Love so i try to avoid things like that. I did want to add though- awesome red lipstick in that first picture! It's really pretty!

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by Dragoriana

Aww what a nice thing to do. Unfortunately its taken me about 10 years to get my hair this long

theyd be waiting a long time for me

I bought the lipstick only last week, it is a very bold colour for me. Usually because i spend alot of time kissing Tristan, and he says i look pretty without makeup (i think he needs new glasses) so it would just rub off on his face lol! but i thought pale skin, blue eyes, black hair and red lipstick would be a shocker when i go out

like snow white (but a slightly cuddlier version)

Click to expand...

hmm..ive had balck hair and its never done that

To keep the BLACK, always put the black color on the roots (only) when you color your hair. Pull through the color that is left (from the bowl/bottle) through the rest of your hair only for the last half of the processing time.

Permanent color works like this:
first half of processing time: the dye lifts or lightens the hair
second half of processing time: the dye deposits color

You want the roots to have the full processing time, because the lifting does some damage by opening up the hair's cuticle, so the color can go in. (Otherwise, the color would just slide off the hair.)

You want the rest of your hair to have the color deposited only (second half of processing time) because it has already been lightened, or damaged. If it is lightened over and over, you end up with TOO much damage and the color won't stay, either.

To keep a rich, black color, you can put temporary color (not semi-permanent) on your hair whenever you want. This will deposit color in the already opened cuticle.

If you do it properly (lighten roots only) all of your hair will have been lightened only once, when it was at the roots.

To go RED, you can use a soap cap, which is shampoo and hair bleach mixed. Shampoo your hair with it, and it will take much of the black out. You can leave the soap cap on for a few minutes, but you have to be very careful. Bleach causes much damage any way you use it, and you don't want your long hair breaking off to a short haircut.

The reddish that remains will be brassy, so you will want to add a blue-based red (not an orangey red). This can get pretty tricky, with some "stripes" of hair having had more black deposited, and other areas (like near the part) will be very light colored. I would suggest going to a professional colorist (ask around; you don't want just any stylist) for that.

BTW, why not go Glorious Remnant Silver?

Why is my permanent hair Colour washing out?

Is it normal for hair dye to bleed in the shower?

How do you stop hair dye from going in the shower?

Will permanent hair dye stain my shower?