How can I remove 4 month set-in bright red hair dye from carpeting?

Hey All,HELP HELP!!My roommate up and disappeared one afternoon while I was working and it could not figure out why till about a month later. My "friend " had colored her hair Bright Red at home and apparently thought throwing a rug over the multiple stains, without pre-washing to remove stains was necessary or respectful. I have uses Dawn & Water, vinegar, water and baking powder and for my last horray I tried in small spots peroxide (bleached carpet a little) and none have worked. Can anyone help me so I do not have to spend alot or feel betrayed with her doing this??Shelly W

  9 answers
  • Deb K Deb K on Sep 03, 2019

    Hi Shelly, try this

    Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand 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.

  • Carla Carla on Sep 03, 2019

    Try this product called ( awesome ) you can find it at dollar tree or dollar general, I had a black spot of something on my white carpet and used awesome full strength, then used my carpet cleaner on it and the stain came right up

  • Naomi Anctil Cline Naomi Anctil Cline on Sep 03, 2019

    Red hair dye is going to be tough. It’s not like a regular stain. Your carpet was essentially dyed too. I have found that the spray car upholstery cleaner worked on tough stains. Worth a try

  • Debbie Debbie on Sep 03, 2019

    I’m a hairdresser and even though I wear an apron when applying color, sometimes it stains my clothes. I purchase a jar of OxiClean (or the Dollar Store version) and mix a tablespoon with a tablespoon or so of hot water to dissolve. Then spoon it on the stain and let it sit a few hours or even overnight. Rinse it out, or in your case, blot it with a sponge. Sometimes, it will take several applications but you should see results. When you’re done removing the stain, I’d use a carpet shampooer with just water or a wet/dry vac to rinse and extract.

  • Lynn Lynn on Sep 03, 2019

    If the stain is only on the surface, use scissors. I am a sloppy painter and have used scissors to snip out the paint drips.

  • Kathy Kathy on Sep 03, 2019

    My son got black hair dye on the white bathtub. Tried all of those things mentioned above, and nothing worked. My beautician suggested "hair dye remover" - at the beauty supply store. Why didn't I think of that? It might harm the carpet, not sure.

  • Shelly Wilson-Rayment Shelly Wilson-Rayment on Sep 04, 2019

    I will try anything it's already spotted red and white from peroxide lol

    I don't know why I did not think of it either...too simple of thought.

    Thank you so very much!

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 05, 2022

    Use Awesome, an oxygen bleack from the dollar store, make a paste and apply to the red spots.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 05, 2022

    If you can't get the hair dye out using the above methods consider putting a throw rug over the stain.