Remove hair dye stains from your faux leather goods with quick and easy home remedies such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar and dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, or nail polish remover.
Read on to learn more about each of these methods, the materials needed for them, step-by-step instructions, additional tips, and precautions to take when using these home remedies.
With these easy solutions, you can keep your faux leather goods looking new. Let’s first take a look at how faux leather goods get stained with hair dye.
How Faux Leather Gets Stained with Hair Dye
Hair Dye Transfer From Hair:
Hair dye can easily transfer from wet, freshly dyed hair onto nearby surfaces, such as furniture and clothing. Faux leather is particularly susceptible to this type of discoloration.
Accidental Spills:
Accidental spills of hair dye onto faux leather can also cause stains. It is important to act quickly to remove the hair dye before it has a chance to settle into the material.
Stained Hands or Gloves:
If you dye your hair with gloves and then transfer the dye to your faux leather with the stained gloves, you may end up with a difficult-to-remove stain.
Contact with Freshly Dyed Hair:
If you recently dyed your hair and came into contact with a piece of faux leather, it is possible that the dye could transfer onto the material.
Dye Residue on Combs or Brushes:
Hair dye residue on combs or brushes may also lead to discoloration on faux leather.
Transfer from Clothing or Accessories:
If you recently dyed your hair and have been using a clothing item, such as a scarf or hat, that has come into contact with the dye, it is possible to transfer some of the dye onto faux leather.
Storage with Hair Dye Products:
Storing hair dye products near faux leather can cause staining, too. Even if you don’t spill any of the product directly onto the material, it may still be stained by contact with the bottle or tube.
What is in Hair Dye?
Different hair dyes have different ingredients. But usually, all hair dyes have some of the same things. These things are:
Colorants:
The chemicals in hair dye give the hair its color. Hair dye can be divided into two kinds: oxidative and direct.
Oxidative colorants are the type of dye most often used in permanent hair coloring. Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide are examples. These dyes get into the hair shaft and mix with the natural pigments to make a new color.
This is what will cause the discolorations on the faux leather, and this will define the look of the stain you get on the fabric.
Conditioners:
Hair dye products have special ingredients in them to help protect and make the hair soft. These ingredients, like oils, proteins, and others, help keep the hair healthy while it is being dyed.
They also make sure it stays soft afterward. Not only will this cause discoloration, but it can also make the stain greasy and more difficult to remove.
Preservatives:
Hair dye products have preservatives in them to help keep them from spoiling and also to prevent allergic reactions when it comes in contact with skin. These preservatives can be harsh on faux leather, causing it to become stained.
Fragrance:
Some hair dye products contain fragrances. These may be natural or artificial and are added to make the product smell better. The fragrances can also cause discoloration on faux leather.
Now that you know what is in hair dye, let’s take a look at how to remove those stains from faux leather.
How To Remove Hair Dye From Faux Leather
1. The Rubbing Alcohol Method
Rubbing alcohol has a lot of benefits both on the skin and on different surfaces. Rubbing alcohol is made up of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water, and it evaporates quickly when applied to a surface.
It is one of the most powerful stain removers and can be used to remove a variety of stains, including hair dye.
This is mainly because rubbing alcohol breaks down the molecules of a stain, allowing it to be easily wiped away.
Materials Needed:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Clean cloth
- Water
Instructions:
Step One: Mix Your Solution
- Mix two parts rubbing alcohol and one-part water in a container or spray bottle.
- Make sure the water is cold or cool.
Step Two: Apply the Solution
- Spray the solution onto the hair dye stains.
- Let it sit for at least one minute.
Step Three: Wipe Away the Stain
- Using a clean cloth, wipe away the stain in a gentle, circular motion.
- Be sure to use light pressure and take your time when wiping away the stain.
- Repeat this process until the stain is completely gone.
2. The Vinegar and Dish Soap Method
Vinegar and dish soap is another effective home remedy for removing hair dye stains from faux leather.
The combination of these two ingredients acts as a powerful degreaser, which helps to break down most stains on porous or non-porous surfaces like faux leather.
One thing that makes this effective is that vinegar has an acidic pH level, which helps to break down the molecules of a stain and allows it to be wiped away.
Materials Needed:
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Clean cloth
- Water
Instructions:
Here are the steps to follow to remove the hair dye stain using vinegar and dish soap:
Step One: Mix Your Solution
- Mix one part white vinegar and two parts dish soap in a container.
- Add two parts of cold or cool water and mix them together.
Step Two: Apply the Solution
- Dip a clean cloth into the solution and use it to scrub the hair dye stain gently.
- Scrub until it lathers, and the stain starts to lift.
Step Three: Rinse with Water
- Once you have scrubbed away most of the hair dye, rinse the area with cool water.
- Use a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue from the faux leather.
- You may need to repeat this step several times until all of the hair dye is removed.
Step Four: Dry and Inspect
- When you have finished rinsing the faux leather, use a clean cloth to dry it off.
- Inspect the area for any remaining hair dye stains before allowing your item to air-dry.
- If there are still some stubborn stains, repeat steps one through three until they are gone.
3. Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent that is often used for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. It works by breaking down organic matter, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
It can also be used to remove stubborn stains from faux leather. To use this method, here are the things you need and the steps to follow.
Materials Needed:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Clean cloth
- Water
Instructions:
Step One: Dilute the Hydrogen Peroxide
- Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a container.
Step Two: Apply the Solution to the Stained Area
- Using a clean cloth, dab the solution onto the stained area.
- Make sure to cover it entirely.
Step Three: Wipe Down
- Wipe the faux leather surface immediately using a damp cloth to remove any excess hydrogen peroxide.
Step Four: Cleaning The Surface
- Use a small amount of dish soap and water to clean the surface.
- Then, rinse it off with a damp cloth.
Step Five: Dry Off
- Allow the faux leather to air dry completely before using it again.
- Repeat the process if necessary until all the dye stains have been removed.
Final Thoughts
Removing hair dye stains from faux leather can be a tricky task, but it is certainly possible. With the right materials and knowledge, you can effectively remove these stubborn stains with ease.
We hope this guide has been helpful in removing the hair dye stains from your faux leather items. Good luck!