How To Remove Hair Dye From Cabinets (6 Easy Methods)

Oh no, did hair dye splatter on your cabinets? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us!

A little splash of color can quickly turn into a big mess, but the good news is, getting rid of those stains isn’t as hard as it seems.

Plus, you probably have everything you need right at home to clean it up.

In this post, I’ll show you some simple (and super effective) ways to remove hair dye from your cabinets without stressing out.

#1 Baking Soda, Detergent And Water Solution

First up, we've got a simple mix that you can whip up with stuff you probably already have in your kitchen. 

Grab some baking soda, dish soap, and warm water. Mix two cups of warm water with a tablespoon each of baking soda and liquid dish soap. 

This gentle cleaner works great on most cabinet finishes and is especially good for fresh stains.

Here's what you do: soak a clean cloth in your mixture and start rubbing the stained spot on your cabinet. Keep at it, rewetting the cloth when you need to, until you see that pesky dye mark start to fade away. 

The sooner you tackle the stain, the better this method works, so don't wait if you can help it.

It’s an easy fix, and chances are, you already have these ingredients lying around!

Removing hair dye from cabinet

Also Read: how to clean stone walls

#2 Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide Paste

Baking soda again? Yep, it’s that versatile. This time, we’re mixing it up with hydrogen peroxide to make a more powerful paste. 

Hydrogen peroxide is a fantastic stain remover because it has a mild bleaching effect.

For this method, you’ll need:

  • 1 tablespoon of baking soda

  • 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide

Mix these two together in a small bowl until it looks kind of like toothpaste. Spread this paste right onto the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. 

After waiting, use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the stained spot.

You might need to do this a couple of times for really stubborn stains. Just be careful - hydrogen peroxide can lighten wood finishes, so maybe test it on a hidden spot first.

Once the stain is gone, wipe it all away with a damp cloth, and you should be left with a clean, dye-free surface.

#3 Vinegar And Baking Soda Paste

If you’ve got vinegar sitting around, you’re in luck. It’s another all-around cleaner that works wonders on hair dye stains. 

Pair it with baking soda, and you’ve got a cleaning combo that’s hard to beat.

Here’s what you need:

  • 2 tablespoons of baking soda

  • 2 tablespoons of white vinegar

Mix the baking soda and vinegar in a bowl until they form a paste. Be prepared for a little fizzing action—this reaction is totally normal! 

Apply the paste to the stained areas and let it sit for about 10 minutes. 

The fizzing helps lift the stain, making it easier to scrub away.

After the paste has sat for a bit, grab a soft cloth and gently scrub the area. Don’t scrub too aggressively, as you don’t want to scratch up your cabinets. 

Once the stain is gone, wipe everything down with a damp cloth, and you should see a noticeable improvement!

Also Read: Pink Mold On Humidifier

#4 Rubbing Alcohol

If you're dealing with a really tough stain, rubbing alcohol might be your best bet. 

It's pretty strong stuff, so you need to be careful - it can strip paint or varnish off some finishes. Always test it on a hidden spot first to make sure it won't damage your cabinets.

To use rubbing alcohol, just dampen a cotton ball or soft cloth with it and gently rub the stained area. 

You should see the dye starting to come off onto your cotton ball or cloth. 

Keep going until the stain is gone, using fresh cotton balls or clean parts of your cloth as you need. 

After you've gotten rid of the stain, clean the area with some mild soap and water to get rid of any leftover alcohol off the bathroom cabinet.

#5 Hairspray

This one might sound a little strange, but hairspray can actually remove hair dye stains

It's the alcohol in the hairspray that does the trick, breaking down the dye so it's easier to wipe away. This works best on fresh stains, but it's worth a shot even on older ones.

Here's how you do it: spray a good amount of hairspray right onto the stain. 

Let it sit there for a minute or two, then start blotting with a paper towel or clean cloth. 

Keep spraying and blotting until the stain disappears. Once you're done, make sure to clean the area with some soap and water to get rid of any leftover hairspray.

Just be careful with this method on wooden kitchen cabinets, as hairspray can sometimes leave a sticky residue behind.

#6 Magic Eraser

Magic Erasers are a godsend for tough stains like hair dye. 

These sponges are pretty amazing at getting rid of marks and stains on all sorts of surfaces, including many cabinet finishes. 

Using a Magic Eraser is super simple. Just get it a little damp and gently rub it over the stained area on your cabinet. You don’t need to press too hard—just let the Eraser do its thing.

As you rub, you should see the dye begin to fade away. It’s a pretty quick and easy fix! 

Once the stain is gone, wipe down the area with a damp cloth.

This method works great for light stains, or you can use it after trying one of the other methods to get rid of any last traces of dye. 

Be cautious with Magic Erasers on delicate finishes, though, as they can sometimes dull the surface if you’re too rough. 

As always, start with a light touch and test it in an inconspicuous spot first.

How to remove hair dye from bathroom cabinet

Also Read: how to remove glue from drywall

Wrapping Up

So there you have it—six easy ways to remove hair dye from cabinets using simple household items. 

Test any solution on a hidden area first if you’re unsure about how it might affect the surface.

Remember, avoiding the problem in the first place is better than fixing it. Next time you're dyeing your hair at home, try covering nearby surfaces with plastic sheets or old towels. 

If you're a pro stylist working from home, maybe set up a specific area for hair dyeing, away from your cabinets and other surfaces that could get stained.

Daniel MayersonComment