Can You Really Get Hair Dye Out of Carpet? Yes, Here’s How!

You’re in the middle of a home hair dye session and suddenly – splat. The bottle slips. Now there’s hair dye on the carpet; the one place where it shouldn’t be.

Don’t stress. Now you will learn how to get that hair dye stain out of your carpet before it sets in. You will find easy, step-by-step methods that actually work, plus what to use and what not to do.

Let’s get into it.

What in the hair dye’s composition makes it so hard to remove?

You might wonder, can you get hair dye out of carpet once it’s soaked in? It’s very tough, mainly because of what’s in the dye. Most types use strong pigments, plus chemicals like ammonia or peroxide. These open up the hair shaft to lock in colour.

The problem is they do the same thing to your carpet fibres. That’s what makes the stain so hard to get rid of; the chemicals cling to the fabric like glue. That’s why you’ll also see stains on your bathroom sink or tiles if you spill there.

Here are a the types of dye that can make the cleaning harder:

Red and black are the toughest colours to remove out of your carpet. Their pigment is bold and dark, and it sinks in deep. Light blondes and pastels are a bit easier, but still tricky.

What can you use to remove hair dye from carpet?

The most important thing to remember is to act fast. The other two important things are:

• Blot, don’t rub. Rubbing will just spread the mess, so never do it. Press down with paper towels or a dry cloth. Soak up as much dye from the fibres as you can. 
• Use cold water. Dab a little on the stain. It helps loosen the dye without setting it in deeper. Avoid hot water as it can make things worse.

Once you’ve done that, you can try some of the following methods to get a hair dye stain out of carpet.

Soap and white vinegar solution

This method works best on fresh dye stains.

How to use it:

1. Mix the vinegar , soap and cold water in a bowl.
2. Dip a clean cloth into the solution.
3. Dab the stain gently. Don’t soak the carpet ,just dampen it
4. Keep blotting. Switch to a dry cloth to lift moisture and dye.
5. Repeat until the stain fades.
6. Once done, blot the area with plain cold water to rinse out the soap.
7. Pat dry with a towel.

Why choose this method: Vinegar breaks down the dye’s bond with the carpet. The soap lifts it up so you can blot it away. It’s gentle, safe for most carpets ,and doesn’t leave nasty smells. Still, test the mix on a hidden patch first and don’t over-wet the carpet. Overwetting can cause mould.

Baking soda paste (for light-coloured carpets)

This dye removal method is good if your carpet is pale. Baking soda is gentle but tough on stains. It soaks up colour and pulls it out of the fibres.

What you’ll need:

How to use it:

1. Mix the baking soda with a bit of cold water. You want a thick paste, not runny.
2. Spread the paste over the stained area.
3. Let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes. It’ll start to dry and lift the dye out.
4. Gently scrub with the toothbrush. Don’t press too hard.
5. Wipe the paste away with a damp cloth.
6. Blot the area dry with a towel.

Why it works: Baking soda grabs onto dye particles and pulls them out. It also helps with smells, which is handy if the dye has a strong scent. Only use this on light carpets. Baking soda can leave a white film on dark ones. Vacuum the area after it’s dry to get rid of any leftover powder. If the stain is old, you might need to do this twice.

Hydrogen peroxide (only on colourfast synthetic fibres)

This method to remove hair dye from carpet is stronger, and you can use it for tough stains. You have to be careful, however.  Only use it on colourfast carpets (check the label) and synthetic fibres like nylon or polyester. It’s not safe for wool or natural stuff because it might bleach them.

What you’ll need:

How to use it:

1. Do a patch test in a hidden spot first. Wait 10 minutes. If there is no colour change, you’re good to go.
2. Put a small amount of peroxide on the stained area, either spray it or drip it.
3. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Blot with a clean cloth. You’ll see the dye lifting.
5. Rinse with cold water to stop the peroxide working.
6. Blot again with a dry towel.

Why it works: Hydrogen peroxide acts like a mild bleach. It breaks down the dye and helps lift it from the fibres. It’s powerful, but still safer than harsh chemical cleaners.

Don’t scrub just blot. Keep windows open as it can smell a bit sharp. In that train of thought, never mix peroxide with vinegar in the same bottle. It creates a nasty chemical reaction. These methods also work well for other tough messes like removing ink stains from carpet fibres.

Isopropyl alcohol (for stubborn pigment)

Isopropyl alcohol works well on leftover dye marks and stubborn patches, especially red and black spots that don’t come out with vinegar or soap. It’s not for large stains, but it can help finish the job when nothing else works. It also works to remove nail polish from the carpet.

What you’ll need:

How to use it:

1. Test a small patch first. Alcohol can mess with some dyes in the carpet.
2. Dampen a cotton ball or cloth with the alcohol.
3. Dab the stain gently. Don’t soak it. Only so as to loosen the dye.
4. Blot with a dry cloth to lift the colour.
5. Rinse the area with a bit of cold water.
6. Blot again with a towel to dry it out.

Why it works: Isopropyl alcohol breaks down oily, pigmented stains. It helps loosen the dye from the carpet fibres without spreading it around.

Remove the dye spill from your carpet in a well-ventilated space, as the smell can be quite strong. It works best on small stains or leftover spots after other cleaning methods.

Enzyme cleaners (e.g., for organic/natural dyes)

If the dye is plant-based like henna or beetroot-based colour, enzyme cleaners are worth a shot. These break down organic matter, which helps lift natural stains without scrubbing too much.

What you’ll need:

How to use it:

1. Test a hidden patch of carpet first. Some enzyme cleaners can affect dyes or finishes.
2. Spray the cleaner onto the stained area. Cover it well, but don’t flood it.
3. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the enzymes can work.
4. Blot with a clean cloth. Repeat if needed.
5. Rinse with cold water and blot again to remove any leftover cleaner.

Why it works: Enzymes eat away at natural dye particles. They’re great for stains with an organic base like henna, fruit dyes, or some herbal mixes.

Still, don’t use such cleaners on silk, wool, or anything delicate and always patch test. Enzymes are powerful and can react with some finishes. They work best on newer stains.

Oxygen-based stain removers

These are good for tough stains but a bit gentler than bleach. They release oxygen, which breaks up the dye particles in your carpet.

What you’ll need:

How to use it:

1. Mix the cleaner with warm water as per the pack instructions.
2. Test a small patch first. Some carpets might lighten.
3. Dip a cloth into the mix and blot the stain.
4. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Blot again with a dry cloth.
6. Rinse with cold water and blot dry.

Why it works: Oxygen lifts out the colour by breaking down the chemical bonds in the stain. It’s less risky than bleach but still effective. Don’t use on wool or silk, though. Always follow the product label and test first, as some products can bleach colours.

pH-neutral carpet shampoos (safe for repeat use)

pH-neutral shampoos of this sort are made for regular carpet cleaning. They’re good for mild stains, general touch-ups, or when you’ve already removed most of the dye from the carpet.

What you’ll need:

How to use it:

1. Mix the shampoo with water if needed (check the label).
2. Test a small spot first – just in case.
3. Apply to the stain with a sponge or cloth.
4. Gently blot or scrub.
5. Rinse with clean water.
6. Blot dry.

Why it works: It’s gentle on fibres and safe for most carpets. No harsh chemicals. No strong smells. Just a safe clean-up method that won’t wreck your floor. It’s great for follow-up cleaning after using stronger methods. It’s also safe to use more than once if the stain needs a few goes and works well for older stains that are already faded.

Does hairspray get hair dye out of carpet?

You might’ve heard the tip “Just spray it with hairspray!” Sounds easy, right? But let’s be honest. It’s not the best idea.

So, does hairspray remove hair dye? Not really. It might help a little with fresh stains, but even so, it’s not made for carpets. Hairspray has alcohol in it, and that can sometimes break down the dye. But it also leaves behind a sticky mess that attracts dirt. You might manage to clean the dye… and end up with a crusty patch.

So, let’s ask the hard question. Will hairspray ruin carpet? Yep, it can. Some hairsprays have oils, perfumes, or other stuff that stain or discolour fabrics. If your carpet’s light or delicate, hairspray might make things worse.

Try isopropyl alcohol instead. It’s in hairspray anyway, but without all the sticky extras. It’s stronger, cleaner, and easier to rinse out. If you’ve got a stubborn stain, the vinegar method or oxygen cleaner is a much safer bet.

Can professional carpet cleaners remove hair dye?

Yes, they can.

We’re trained to deal with tough carpet stains like the ones from hair dye. We’ve seen it all: red splashes, black smudges, even dried-in dye that’s been there for days. Our tools and cleaning products go deeper than the stuff you can buy at the shop.

When should you call a pro?

If you’re worried about doing more damage than good to your carpet, best let the pros handle it.

We know which method suits which carpet. We test first, clean carefully, and make sure your floor coverings looks good as new (or as close as possible). No guesswork. No strange smells. No risk of ruining the fibres. Become familiar with the costs by checking our carpet cleaning price guide, if you decide that this will be the best course of action.

What NOT to do when cleaning hair dye stains on carpet

You now know what to do, but it’s just as important to know what not to. Some of these you already know, but it’s worth to repeat them.

Check what your carpet is made of. Synthetic carpets like polyester or nylon can usually handle more, but natural ones like wool, need special care.

Don’t use hot water.  Heat sets the stain into the carpet fibres. Cold water only.

No scrubbing. Rubbing spreads the dye around and pushes it deeper. Blot instead.

Never mix bleach and ammonia. That combo gives off toxic fumes. Also, skip anything too strong or alkaline. It can eat away at the carpet’s backing.

Don’t try all methods at once. Too many cleaners can overload the fibres and leave a weird residue. Pick one and give it a proper go.

Preventing future mishaps and protecting your carpet

Here’s how to protect your carpet the next time you dye your hair.

1. Stick to tiled rooms. Bathroom or kitchen is best. No carpet=no stress.
2. Wear a salon cape. It keeps dye off your clothes and off the carpet when you move around.
3. Place a towel or old sheet on the floor.
4. Make a quick stain kit. Keep it nearby. Include gloves, clean cloths, vinegar, baking soda, and a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide.