Your hands more accustomed to wear-and-tear than your face and scalp, so you can employ more rigorous methods to get rid of dye stains on hands. One effective method: Washing your hands with a mixture of dish soap and baking soda. Since dish soap contains strong cleansing ingredients, be sure to rinse it off thoroughly and follow up with a hydrating hand cream.

If stubborn dye stains are still present after scrubbing, hand or body scrubs, nail polish removers, and even hand sanitizers are also great ways to help remove hair dye marks. For stained nail beds, cuticle removers will do the job as well.

How to prevent hair dye stains in the first place

Protect skin with an occlusive skincare product before any dye is applied. Smooth it onto the areas of skin dye most likely to come in contact with, like your hairline, the tops and backs of your ears, and the back of your neck. “An occlusive ointment like petroleum jelly does the job, who recommends Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Don’t have any petroleum jelly on-hand? No problem. “I apply a tiny bit of coconut oil around the hairline before applying color to stop any staining before it happens. “You can also use a heavy conditioner around the hairline.” A clear solid lip balm, like Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, also glides on easily with no stickiness or mess.

Be mindful of darker dyes. Ferrara says to be especially careful when applying dark brown and black shades as they stain more stubbornly and obviously.

Wipe away dye as you go. Whether you’re dyeing your hair at home or getting in done in-salon, if you spot stray dye on your skin or hairline, wipe it away with a damp towel to prevent the stain from setting.

Wear gloves! Unless you want your hands to match your hair, always be sure to wear protective gloves throughout the process.

Treat skin well after dye removal

Cleansers and alcohol can strip your skin of more than just the dye you’re trying to remove. “Especially after using rubbing alcohol on the skin, it is important to repair the skin barrier with a moisturizer. “I recommend a petrolatum-based product, as it forms a protective seal over the skin, and the newest generation of these moisturizers come in light lotion formulations that won’t leave you feeling greasy.”

If the dye hasn’t totally disappeared, don’t worry — Your skin won’t be tinted for as long as your hair will be. “The good news is that in time, as your skin cells naturally turnover, your skin will shed the pigment on its own within one to two weeks,” he says.

Accidents happen to all of us and urine stains are seldom a popular topic. However, it’s important to remove even small urine stains as soon as possible to reduce odor and discoloration. The longer the acidic urine is in contact with fabrics and fibers, the harder it is to remove.

Project Metrics

Working time: 15 minutes

Total time: 8 hours

Before You Begin

If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, wearing gloves, blot the stained area with a dry white paper towel until the moisture is removed. Sponge the stain with a clean damp white cloth and then blot to dry. Do not add additional water if the fabric is silk because the stain could grow bigger andbe harder for the dry cleaner to remove.

Even if the area looks clean, head to the dry cleaner to point out and identify the stain. The urine can leave acids in the fabric that will affect the fibers with time. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer

bag.

When treating urine stains on upholstery, if the upholstery is a vintage fabric or silk, remove any solids and blot up moisture then contact an upholstery cleaning specialist. 

What You’ll Need

• Paper towels or old cloths
• Baking soda
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Laundry disinfectant
• Oxygen-based bleach
• Distilled white vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid

Tools

• Large plastic tub
• Washing machine or large sink
• Soft-bristled brush
• Small bowl or bucket
• Sponge
• Heavy bowl or platter

Remove Urine From Washable Fabrics

1. Pre-Soak if Necessary
   As anyone who has used cloth diapers knows, you should never allow urine-soaked fabrics to accumulate because they can actually mildew. If you can’t treat diapers or bed sheets or any type of washable clothing right away, fill a large plastic container or the washer with cold water and allow the stained items to soak until they can be properly washed. Add one-half cup of baking soda to help reduce and remove the odor.
2. Select Water Temperature and Washing Supplies
   When it is time to wash away urine stains, use the hottest water recommended for the fabric. To your usual heavy-duty detergent, add one cup of baking soda to the wash water.
   If you are concerned about bacteria in the urine, use a disinfectant in the wash water. White, 100 percent cotton fabrics can be disinfected with chlorine bleach. Colored and synthetic fabrics require a different method of disinfecting.
3. Remove Set-In Urine Stains
   If the urine stain is dried or old, soak the fabric in a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach, such as OxiClean, Clorox 2 or OXO Brite. Follow the directions on the package on how to mix the solution. After pre-soaking for at least 30 minutes, launder in warm—not hot—water with your regular detergent.
   If the stain remains, mix a new solution of oxygen-based bleach and water and soak overnight, then rewash. This will remove any discoloration but oxygen bleach DOES NOT disinfect fabrics.
4. Inspect and Dry the Fabric
   After washing urine-stained items, check that the stain is completely removed before tossing the item in the dryer. The high heat from the dryer can set the stain making it much more difficult to remove.

Remove Urine Stains from Carpet and Upholstery

1. Blot Away Urine
   As quickly as possible soak up the urine with white paper towels or an old white rag. Don’t use a colored cloth because the dye can transfer to the carpet and that’s a whole new problem.
2. Mix the Cleaning Solution
   In a small bowl or bucket, create a solution of one cup of white distilled vinegar, one cup of water, and two teaspoons dishwashing liquid.
3. Treat the Stain
   Dip a clean white cloth or soft-bristled brush into the cleaning solution and apply it to the urine-stained carpet. Start at the outside of the wet stain and work toward the center to help prevent the stain from becoming larger. Work it in because the solution needs to get deep into the fibers but try not to over-saturate the carpet.
4. Blot and Rinse
   Use a dry white paper towel or rag to blot away the soapy mixture. Next, apply a generous amount of plain water to the stain with a clean sponge to rinse away any residue. Rinsing is important because any remaining soap can attract soil.
5. Absorb Residual Moisture
   When most of the soapy solution seems to be gone, place several layers of paper towels on the stain and weigh them down with a heavy bowl or plate. Allow this to sit for 15 minutes and then discard the towels. Repeat if needed.
6. Air-Dry and Vacuum
   Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Vacuum well to lift carpet fibers.

Upholstery Stain Removal Tips
Urine can be removed from upholstery follow the same steps recommended for removing the stains from carpet. Take extra care to not over-saturate the fabric and the interior cushion. To help the fabric dry more quickly, use a rotating fan to circulate air and remove the cushion from the furniture, if possible.

Not Just for Your Kitchen

You may know it as the orange box that lurks in the back of your fridge to take out bad smells. Or as a pantry staple that helps your baked goods rise. But baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, deserves a spot in your medicine cabinet, too. Here’s how it helps keep your body healthy and clean.

Green Teeth Cleaner

Baking soda works great to physically remove plaque, the sticky film of bacteria in your mouth. Over time, a plaque buildup hardens into tartar and can lead to gum disease. Dip a wet toothbrush into the powder and brush as usual. It doesn’t have the fluoride you need to protect against tooth decay and cavities. Many public water supplies have added fluoride. Even so, brush with regular toothpaste as well to be safe.

Inexpensive Mouthwash

That garlic aioli pasta was delish. But now your breath is keeping even your dog away. Swish a teaspoon of baking soda in a half glass of water and rinse your mouth. It doesn’t merely mask the smell with a minty scent like most mouthwashes do. Baking soda actually banishes the odor altogether.