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University of Illinois Extension
Hair dye, black or brown

Hair dye, black or brown

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

  • Heavy-duty liquid detergent
  • Dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach
  • Liquid chlorine bleach
  • Commercial color remover

Steps to Clean

  1. Pretreat the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Rinse.
  2. Soak fabric in dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach.
  3. If stain persists and garment is white or colorfast, soak entire garment in diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Chlorine bleach may change the color of the garment or cause irreversible damage. Check for bleach tolerance on a hidden seam. If stain does not come out in 15 minutes of bleaching, if cannot be removed by bleaching.
  4. If bleaching is not safe or does not work, use a commercial color remover according to package directions. Note that color remover will take out the fabric color as well as the stain. Do not exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit water with any synthetic fabrics*. Launder.

*Synthetic Fabrics are: Acetate, Acrylic, Polyester, Nylon, Olefin, Triacetate and anything labeled static-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press, no-iron, stain-proof or moth-repellent

Carpet

Chemical solvents and supplies

  • Detergent
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Ammonia
  1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of
    white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.
  3. Sponge with cold water.
  4. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Sponge with rubbing alcohol. Blot to remove the stain.
  6. Sponge with cold water.
  7. If the stain remains, mix one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with this solution.  Leave it on the stain for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with a clean white cloth and more solution.
  8. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Steps to Clean

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.