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University of Illinois Extension
Hair dye, red

Hair dye, red

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

What you will need

  • Blunt kitchen knife
  • Liquid hand dishwashing Detergent
  • Ammonia
  • White vinegar
  • Chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach

Steps to Clean

  1. Scrape off excess material.
  2. Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon ammonia.
  3. Rub gently from back to loosen stain.
  4. Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse.
  5. Soak in 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 30 minutes.
  6. If color stain remains, launder, using chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or with oxygen bleach.

Upholstery

What you will need

  • Detergent
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Detergent
  • Ammonia

Steps to Clean

  1. Mix one (1) tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two (2) cups of cool water.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution. Leave it on the stain for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with a clean white cloth and more solution.
  3. Sponge with cool water, blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol; blot to remove the stain.
  5. If the stain remains, mix one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – fumes are hazardous)
  6. Sponge the stain with the detergent/ammonia solution.  Leave it on the stain for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with a clean white cloth and more solution.
  7. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.