How to Remove Hair Dye From a Sink & Counter: Step-By-Step

When you color your hair, it’s practically guaranteed that you’re going to get dye everywhere. And by everywhere, we mean your skin, your clothing, and your sink.

In many cases, when dye gets on your sink, it can be easily removed.

But some dyes have a little extra staying power - that’s when things get frustrating. Don't worry, though, because, in this article, we're going to share several foolproof ways to remove hair dye from your sink.

Learn How to Remove Hair Dye From a Sink

If you've stained your sink (e.g., bathroom sink) with hair dye, there's no need to worry. We've put together this DIY step-by-step guide for removing hair dye stains using our preferred cleaning methods.

Spot Clean Hair Dye Stains With Rubbing Alcohol

Removing hair dye from a sink with rubbing alcohol is a simple and easy process. All you need to do is get some rubbing alcohol, pour it onto a clean cloth, cotton ball, or paper towel, and then scrub the affected area.

The rubbing alcohol will break down the dye molecules and lift them from the surface of the sink. It could take several minutes to remove the stain, but it should come off eventually.

Note: Rubbing alcohol can cause visible and permanent damage to your sink if it's been painted or varnished. We don't recommend using rubbing alcohol on sinks with painted surfaces or other sinks where the sink's manufacturer doesn't recommend alcohol usage.

Try Nail Polish Remover

If the rubbing alcohol doesn’t do the trick, you can try using nail polish remover. Nail polish removers usually contain a chemical called acetone that will break down dye molecules.

Just pour a few drops of nail polish remover onto a clean cloth and then rub it onto the stained area of your sink. After the stain is gone, rinse the sink with warm water.

Note: Nail polish remover can permanently damage painted or varnished sinks.

Make a Baking Soda Paste

You can create a baking soda paste for a gentler, more natural approach. Baking soda is known to be a powerful cleaning agent that can remove even the toughest stains.

Make your paste by mixing baking soda and water in a bowl until it takes on a pasty consistency.

Then, put the paste on any stains in your sink and leave it to do its magic for 30-60 minutes. After time is up, scrub off the paste with a damp cloth and rinse your sink with warm water.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

For more cleaning power, add white vinegar to your baking soda paste. The acidity of the white vinegar is what gives it its stain-lifting power. Add as much or as little as you'd like - just ensure that the paste remains thick.

Use Dish Soap and Hot Water

You may have already tried using soap and water to clean the sink. But if the water you used was not hot, it might be worth giving this method another try.

Soap and hot water can do wonders for removing stains from sinks - just make sure the water is as hot as you can take and be liberal with the soap.

Also, depending on the type of sink you have, use a sponge (scratch-free) to work the soap into the stain.

Use a Commercial Cleaner

If you're not into making your own cleaning mixtures, you can always use a commercial cleaner to take care of the hair dye stain.

There are several cleaners available on the market specifically designed to remove stubborn stains from bathroom surfaces, like sinks. And they're usually very affordable and easy to use.

Read the instructions carefully and apply the cleaner to the stained area of your sink. Make sure you wear gloves while handling the cleaner and rinse the sink after you’ve finished.

Bleach the Stain Away

Bleach is probably the most powerful stain remover available. It lifts all sorts of stains out of our white clothes and countless surfaces.

To use bleach to remove hair dye from your sink, make a solution of half bleach and half water and then transfer it to a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the stain and let the bleach sit for 30-60 minutes.

Then, run water over the stain, and you're done.

When handling bleach, always wear protective gloves and keep the room well-ventilated. You don't want to be breathing in the fumes! Also, keep the bleach out of the reach of children.

Scrub with Bar Keeper's Friend

If you've never heard of Bar Keeper's Friend, it’s a cleaning product used to remove stubborn stains from sinks and other surfaces. It's got a bit of an abrasive texture, so it will help to scrub off the hair dye.

Just follow the cleaning instructions on the bottle, and you should have your sink looking good as new in no time.

Note: Don't use Bar Keeper's Friend on porcelain sinks, as it could damage them.

Use WD-40 for Steel Sinks

WD-40 is a popular multi-purpose product used to clean grime off of nuts, bolts, and equipment. But people are finding more and more uses for WD-40 every day - and, believe it or not, it can be used to remove hair dye stains from steel sinks.

All you have to do is spray some WD-40 onto the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes (up to an hour), then wipe off the stain with a clean cloth. To get any residue off, use warm soapy water and gently scrub the sink with a sponge.

It's important to note that this method should only be used on steel sinks, as it could damage other materials like porcelain. Also, be sure to wear gloves when using WD-40 and keep it away from the reach of children.

How to Prevent Sink Stains from Hair Dye in the Future

Once you've got your sink clean, it's important to do what you can to prevent hair dye stains from reappearing in the future. One way to do this is to cover the sink with a cloth or newspaper before using hair dye.

This will help protect it from any splatters or spills that may occur.

Also, if hair dye does get on the sink, it's best to clean it up as soon as possible - the sooner you can get the stain out, the better. Leaving the dye on the sink for too long could lead to a more difficult stain-removal process.

Does Permanent Hair Dye Stain Sinks?

Permanent hair dye can stain sinks. These dyes contain persistent pigments that are formulated to stay in the hair even after several washes. These pigments can also “stick” to other surfaces, like sinks, resulting in nightmarish stains.

Does Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Stain Sinks?

You may not have known this, but semipermanent dye can also stain sinks. Even though the pigment in semi-permanent dye isn't as strong as that of permanent dye, it is still enough to leave a stain on hard surfaces if it is not cleaned up right away.

So, don't think that just because your dye is semi-permanent, it won't stain your sink.

Do Certain Dye Shades Stain More?

Certain dye shades can stain sinks more than others. Darker colors, like black and dark blue, will stain the most because of their highly saturated pigments.

On the other hand, lighter colors, like blonde and pastel yellow, tend to stain less because their pigments are less saturated. That said, it's crucial to clean up any dye spills as soon as possible, regardless of the color.

Related Articles

• How to Get Hair Dye off Skin When Dried
• How to Get Dye off Scalp
• How to Stop Hair Dye From Rubbing Off

So, there you have it - several methods you can use to remove hair dye stains from sinks. Whether you're dealing with permanent or semipermanent hair dye, the solutions in this article should help you get your sink sparkling clean again.

Just remember to take any necessary safety precautions when using cleaning products and keep them away from little ones. We hope that this article has been helpful - happy cleaning!