10 Ways to Get Dye Out of Clothes

Who hasn’t dealt with spilled dye on their favorite shirt? Whether it was from a child’s craft project gone wrong or an accident in the laundry, dealing with dye stains can be difficult. However, with some strategic steps and help from cleaning supplies you likely already have, you can successfully take the dye out of your clothes.

How To Get Dye Out of Clothes

People use dye to color their hair, materials, especially textiles, and it can either be in a fluid or a powder form.  

Dyes are vital in the production cycle. They beautify materials, make textiles colorful and enhance their beauty; when dyes touch clothes you didn’t want to dye, you cannot easily remove them.

However, there are several ways dyes can be removed from clothes, either by using natural home remedies or by using chemicals produced in the lab.

Here are ten different methods of removing dye from clothes below: 

Remove Dye Stain Using Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural home remedy for removing dye stains, as it could be used as an alternative to bleach. Below are the steps to make a vinegar solution.

Step 1: Mix a teaspoon of vinegar and liquid soap diluted in lukewarm water.

Step 2: Fill a bowl with water and add the above solution, leaving clothes to soak overnight.

Step 3: Wash your clothes; you may repeat the process if need be.

Remove Dye Stain Using Citric Acid

use citric acid to remove dye stain

Lemon is a natural homemade bleaching agent used to remove dark spots from the face, and you can also use it to remove dyes. Here are some steps to use lemon to remove dyes from clothes.

Step 1: Mix half a cup of lemon juice with Citric Acid and a tablespoon of liquid soap

Step 2: Soak the stained garment overnight

Step 3: Squeeze out excess solution. Repeat the process if need be. 

Remove Dye Stains Using Alcohol

use alcohol to remove dye stain

If you are using this method, remember that it might not give you what you want. You can only use alcohol if you are in a hurry, and it’s more like first aid.

Step 1: Rub the alcohol in the affected area until it is wet.

Step 2: Absorb the dye from the stained area after waiting for a minute.

Step 3: Pour enough alcohol into a bowl and soak the garment overnight. Squeeze out and rinse. You can repeat the process if need be.

Remove Dyes Stains Using Nail Polish Remover

use nail polish remover to remove dye stain

You can use nail polish remover to remove dyes. Remember that it cannot give you an effective result, as it can only be used when you are in a hurry.

Follow these steps below to remove dye stains using nail Polish Remover.

Step 1: Put the garment in a bowl and directly pour nail polish remover onto the stained area.

Step 2: Allow it to soak overnight.

Step 3: Squeeze and rinse out. Repeat the process if need be.

Remove Stains Using Hydrogen Peroxide

use hydrogen peroxide to remove dye stain

Hydrogen Peroxide is used to remove stains, although it is commonly used to treat wounds.

Follow these steps below to remove stains using Hydrogen Peroxide.

Step 1: Directly pour at least 3% of Hydrogen Peroxide onto the stained area and soak overnight

Step 2: Squeeze out. Rinse thoroughly in running water.

Step 3: Wash garments. Repeat the process if need be.

Remove Dye Stains Using Ammonia

use ammonia to remove dye stain

Ammonia is an effective remedy to remove dye stains. Do not mix ammonia with bleach, as it can produce poisonous fumes.

 Follow these steps below to remove stains using ammonia:

Step 1: Depending on the size of the clothes, dilute ¼ Ammonia into 4 cups of water. Add more Ammonia if need be.

Step 2: Soak the stained cloth for half an hour in the Ammonia solution.

Step 3: Rinse the affected area thoroughly. Wash the garment and dry.

Remove Dye Stains Using Chlorine Bleach

use clorox to remove dye stain

Chlorine Bleach is recommended as the best and most effective method to remove stubborn stains from garments. It is used in laundry and is very common In removing stains.

Below are the procedures for using Chlorine Bleach:

Step 1: Soak the garment in a bowl of water containing bleach.

Step 2: Leave to soak for half an hour.

Step 3: Rinse out and launder—dry garment.

Remove Dye Stains With Baking Soda

use baking soda to remove dye stain

Baking soda is another home remedy that has several cleaning uses.

Step 1: Make a thick paste with Baking Soda. Apply to the stained area in the garment.

Step 2: Allow drying in a couple of hours. Rinse out. Launder and dry.

Step 3: Repeat the process if need be.

Remove Dye Stains Using Stain Remover

use stain remover to remove dye stain
Amodex stain remover

Stain removers are used as a pre-wash treatment to remove stains. You may have to follow procedures before you use them because fabrics differ. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove dye stains from clothes with stain remover below:

Step 1: Run running water over the affected area of the cloth to remove enough dye. 

Step 2: Place a paper towel or a towel underneath it to dry the water.

Step 3: leave the paper towel or towel there and apply the stain remover directly on the dye, and the paper towel will absorb the hairspray and the dye. 

Step 4: Then rinse well with running water and wash.

Note: you may need to allow the fabric to sit for a while after applying the stain, then rinse out and launder to see if there are still stains on the garment.

Remove Dye Stains Using Hairspray

use hair spray to remove dye stain

Using hairspray to remove dye stains from your clothes is one of the go-to quick fixes to deal with that stubborn dye stain on your clothes.

This is an easy step-by-step guide to help you remove the dye stain from your clothes.

Step 1: Get enough dye out of the cloth by placing the affected area under running water. 

Step 2: Place a paper towel or a towel underneath it to dry the water.

Step 3: leave the paper towel or towel there and apply enough hairspray directly on the dye, and the paper towel will absorb the hairspray and the dye. 

Step 4: Then rinse well with running water and wash.

Something to Note: 

There are various types of dyes, and the method of removing dye from your clothes depends on the kind of dye on your fabric.

Most of the processes listed above could be quite tedious and frustrating and require patience to work. So, if it doesn’t work on the first try, don’t panic; repeat the process. 

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