How to Prevent Hair Dye from Staining Your Bathtub

Coloring your hair at home can be a fun and affordable way to change up your look. However, it can also lead to disastrous stains on your bathtub if you’re not careful. Bathtub stains are difficult to remove, so prevention is key. Follow these tips to keep your tub pristine while dying your hair at home.

Why Hair Dye Stains Bathtubs

Before we get into prevention methods, let’s look at why hair dye is prone to staining bathtubs in the first place:

• Pigment molecules – Hair dye contains coloring pigments that are designed to soak into your hair cuticle and permanently alter the color. However, these pigments will also readily stain porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic, and other bathtub materials.

• Dripping dye – When applying hair dye, there is often dripping and splattering involved. If these dye drops land on your tub, they can leave behind stubborn stains.

• Rinsing residue – After application, you need to rinse the dye from your hair. Any leftover dye residue can stick to tub surfaces and cause staining.

• Permanent vs. semi-permanent – Permanent dyes tend to be more likely to stain because the pigments are designed for long lasting color. Semi-permanent rinses out more easily.

• Darker colors – Deep reds, blacks, blues, and purples have heavy pigmentation loads and will readily stain light colored tubs.

Now that we know the causes, here are some tips to stop hair dye from ruining your bathtub!

11 Tips to Prevent Hair Dye Stains in Your Bathtub

1. Cover Surfaces with Petroleum Jelly

Coat faucet fixtures, handles, tile walls, and any other surfaces near your tub with a thick layer of petroleum jelly before dyeing. This provides a protective barrier that dye molecules cannot soak into. The dye wipes away easily after.

2. Use an Old Shower Curtain

Lay an old shower curtain, plastic painter’s tarp or trash bag over the bottom of your tub during the dye process. It will protect the surface and contain any drips or spills.

3. Apply Dye in a Separate Room

Set up your dyeing station in an area like a laundry room or garage with a sink instead of in the bathroom. This keeps potent dye away from porous tub surfaces. Have a floor length mirror handy.

4. Drain the Tub Before Application

Make sure to fully drain the tub before applying any dye. Leftover puddles of water can mix with dye and splash onto surfaces, leading to stains.

5. Rinse Thoroughly Over the Sink

When it’s time to rinse, do so over a kitchen or bathroom sink. Lean forward so hair hangs into the sink basin. This prevents dye-filled water from contacting the tub as you rinse.

6. Use a Colour-Sealing Shampoo

After rinsing, wash hair with a sulfate-free color sealing shampoo. This helps seal in dye and prevents further bleeding onto your tub.

7. Blot Excess Dye with Paper Towels

Keep paper towels or absorbent cloths handy during the dye process. Immediately blot up any drips or spills on tub surfaces to prevent staining.

8. Clean Spills with Hydrogen Peroxide

If dye does get on your tub, wipe it up right away with hydrogen peroxide. This helps lift pigment and prevent permanent staining.

9. Use Non-Permanent Dye

Stick to semi-permanent and demi-permanent dyes or rinses. The dye molecules are designed to wash out easier and won’t permanently stain your tub.

10. Opt for Lighter Colors

Dye your hair red versus violet, blonde versus black. The lighter the color, the lower the pigment load and risk of staining.

11. Apply Vaseline to Surfaces

Rub a layer of Vaseline onto tile walls, fixtures, handles and any area dye may drip. The Vaseline prevents dye absorption and wipes off easily after dyeing.

How to Remove Existing Hair Dye Stains

If it’s too late and your tub already has hair dye stains, try these removal techniques:

• Spray stains with hair spray and let sit 5 minutes before scrubbing. The alcohol helps dissolve dye.

• Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to stains, let sit 30 minutes, then scrub away.

• Dab stains with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol using a soft cloth.

• Apply hydrogen peroxide or bleach paste. Let sit 15 minutes before scrubbing.

• Use a color stain remover product formulated for hair dye. Follow directions.

• Make a paste with cream of tartar and lemon juice. Spread onto stains and let sit before scrubbing.

Causes of Persistent Bathtub Stains

Sometimes hair dye stains just won’t budge no matter what you try. If that’s the case, the stain may be caused or worsened by:

• Using extremely hot water to rinse dye. Heat sets stains.

• Not rinsing thoroughly after dyeing and leaving residue.

• Rubbing or scrubbing the stain aggressively before removal.

• Leaving dye spills or drips to sit too long before cleaning.

• Using permanent, high pigment hair dye formulas.

• Having an older, porous bathtub surface.

To deal with persistent stains, try re-applying stain removal methods or use an abrasive cleaner. In severe cases, you may need to resort to replacing the tub.

Preventing those stubborn stains in the first place is the smarter route!

Tips for Dyeing Hair at Home

Follow these tips to get perfect color results when dyeing your hair at home:

• Always do an allergy test 48 hours before dyeing by applying a mix of dye and the developer to your inner arm.

• Protect clothing and skin around hairline with vaseline or an old towel.

• Mix the dye with developer in a non-metal bowl. Stainless steel is okay.

• Section hair cleanly and neatly with clips before applying dye.

• Use the comb or brush from the kit to evenly distribute dye, starting 1 inch from roots.

• Time the processing carefully and don’t leave on longer than directions state.

• Rinse hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.

• Shampoo twice with a sulfate-free shampoo and use a deep conditioner after rinsing.

• Avoid washing hair for 48 hours after dyeing.

• Use a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo moving forward.

How Long Does Hair Dye Last?

Hair dye lasts anywhere from 4-8 weeks depending on your hair type, application method, and the formula itself:

• Permanent dyes last 4-8 weeks

• Demi-permanent dyes last 4-5 weeks

• Semi-permanent dyes last 4 weeks

• Temporary rinses last 1-2 shampoos

To make the color last longer:

• Use color-protecting shampoos with cool water
• Don’t wash hair daily, only 2-3 times per week
• Avoid chlorine, sun exposure, and heat styling
• Get occasional gloss or root touch-up treatments

When to See a Professional Stylist

While dyeing hair at home can save money and time, there are some cases where you’re better off seeing an experienced, licensed stylist:

• If you want dramatic color changes like platinum blonde or jet black

• If your hair has been pre-lightened or chemically processed before

• When using high-lift color for major lightening

• If your hair is long, thick, or coarse

• When doing ombre, highlights, lowlights, or advanced techniques

• If you’ve never dyed your hair before

• When dyeing sensitive areas like eyebrows or facial hair

The takeaway? You can feel confident dyeing your hair at home but don’t be afraid to seek professional help for trickier dye jobs. You want to achieve beautiful, healthy hair!

Finding a Great Local Hair Salon

Once you’re ready to switch up your look, find a talented local hair salon using these tips:

• Ask friends for referrals and check salon reviews.

• Ensure the salon is clean, organized, and professional.

• Schedule a consultation to see if you vibe with a stylist.

• Look for advanced color training and certifications.

• Examine their social media for color portfolios.

• Ask how long stylists have worked there.

• Go with an experienced stylist you trust if doing major work.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice concerns.

• Seek out a salon that makes