How to Remove Dye Stains From Clothes, Upholstery, and Carpet

If you've ever accidentally let a colored sock slip into a load of whites, then you know about dye transfer. The stains occur when colors run in the wash or during drying, or when an overdyed item rubs against another. Unfortunately, new denim jeans are a major offender. Pay attention to those tags that say "wash before wearing" — they're there for a reason.

But if your sofa cushion already has an indigo tint, it's not too late. Carolyn Forte, Director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, has got you covered with the best methods for removing dye stains from white and colored clothing, plus carpeting and upholstery.

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How to Remove Dye Stains From Fabric

This solution works for both colorfast and white washable fabrics, Forte says. Start by mixing four gallons of the hottest water that's safe for the fabric with one packet of Carbona Color Run Remover. Make sure the remover is fully dissolved. If the whole load has turned pink, you can use multiple packets depending on the amount of clothes.

Add the dye-stained items to the mix and soak, stirring occasionally, until the unwanted color lifts. Rinse thoroughly in warm water. For stubborn dyes, you can repeat that process as necessary. Follow up by laundering.

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How to Remove Dye Stains From Upholstery

To save your sofa or chair, mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, like Dawn, and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of cool water.

Using a clean, white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent-vinegar solution. Leave it on the stain for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with the cloth and more solution. You can use your phone timer to keep track. Then sponge with cool water and blot until the liquid is absorbed.

Next, sponge the mark with rubbing alcohol and blot to remove the stain. Sponge with more cold water and keep blotting.

If the stain remains, mix one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of cool water. Sponge the stain with the detergent-ammonia solution. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with a clean, white cloth and more solution. Finally, sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Still not working? Dab the stain with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide. "Hydrogen peroxide acts like an all-fabric, color-safe bleach, so it’s worth a try," Forte says. "Just be sure to test it for safety on a hidden part of the fabric or carpet before applying it to the stain."

⚠️ Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia. The resulting fumes are hazardous. ⚠️

How to Remove Dye Stains From Carpet

First, mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, like Dawn, and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Using a clean, white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent-vinegar solution, blotting frequently. Flush with clear water and blot until the liquid is absorbed.

Then, sponge with rubbing alcohol and blot some more to lift the stain. Finish up by sponging with plain, cold water and blotting until the liquid is absorbed.

If the spot is stubborn, use the same detergent-ammonia solution that you would for upholstery, letting it sit on the stain for at least 30 minutes and blotting every five minutes with a clean, white cloth and more solution. Then sponge with cold water and blot dry. A cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide can also help as a last resort.