Mix bleach and alcohol into a viscous consistency. Pour the solution onto the stain and wipe with damp toilet paper after waiting a few minutes. Don’t forget to wear protective goggles and gloves!
It was June 2020 when I first dyed my hair at home. The covid lockdown was in full swing, and going to a salon to get my hair done was out of the question. The first time was a mess, indeed. My hair turned out blotchy, and the dye splattered all over my bathroom countertop.
I eventually learned the technique for dying my hair with time and practice, but the stains on my bathroom counter still remind me of my amateur days. I never thought that the blots were removable until I searched the internet and found a few handy tips one day.
Here are a few methods that worked for me and that I swear by now. They will need some repetition and hard work, but the stain WILL come out no matter how old or dried.
So let’s get cleaning!
Dying Your Hair Over A Countertop: Some Prerequisites
First, you must understand that marble and granite countertops are porous. And the dye is, well, a dye! It is meant to leave a stain. So you should cover your countertops with newspapers before dying your hair over them.
If the dye still manages to sneak to your counter, wipe it off with a wet cloth IMMEDIATELY. It will leave a mark that will be pretty difficult to remove if it stands.
But if you are like me, who didn’t know this before staining their countertops, fret not. Getting hair dye stains off granite is difficult but not impossible. Plus, quite a few methods and products can do the job.
3 Methods To Get Hair Dye Off Granite Counter
Method 1: Bleach
Cliche, right? You get the hair dye out with bleach. Works for hair and for countertops too. But please don’t go pouring your hair bleach all over your bathroom.
Buy a bleach available for cleaning purposes. It is pretty effective at taking out stains from marble and granite. However, you should be careful with it.
First, frequent bleaching can dull your countertop and may even discolor it. Next, bleach gives off fumes that could cause burning in your eyes, nose, or hands. Wear gloves and goggles and wash thoroughly if you come in contact.
What You’ll Need
- A cleaning purpose bleach
- 70% Isopropyl alcohol
- Plastic cup
- A small stick for mixing (I used a popsicle stick)
- Small towel or any other piece of cloth
- Toilet paper
Instructions
- Pour some bleach into the plastic cup. The amount you need depends upon the size of the stain you need to remove.
- Dilute it using isopropyl alcohol. You can find one easily at a hardware store or online. The alcohol is also a strong stain lifter.
- Mix the solution with a stick. The consistency should be similar to a paste.
- Pour the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Now, scrub using a towel or a piece of cloth. Alternatively, you can use a gentle brush.
- The stain should lighten immediately. Wipe the area with toilet paper and wash with tap water.
Method 2: Hydrogen Peroxide
I found the internet raving about how helpful hydrogen peroxide is to get hair dye off granite counters. But again, it is a strong cleaning solution that is dangerous and can strip your countertop off its shine.
Also, you should wear protective eyewear and gloves before using it. Here’s what you will need for this method;
What You’ll Need
- 12% Hydrogen peroxide
- Talc powder
- A stick for mixing
- Plastic cup or bowl
- Kitchen plastic wrap
- Scotch tape
- A plastic scraper or a spatula
Instructions
- Pour 4-5 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into a cup. You can increase or decrease the amount according to the size of your stain.
- Slowly, add talc powder into it.
- Mix with a stick, aiming for a pretty thick paste-like consistency.
- Pour the mixture over the stain, spreading with the stick to achieve a layer of half-inch thickness.
- Make sure you cover almost an inch extra with the concoction.
- Cover the mixture with the plastic wrap or cling film and tape the edges to keep it in place. The film will prevent the solution from drying out.
- Let the assembly sit for two days.
- Now, remove the plastic wrap and wait for the mixture to dry completely. It should take a few hours to one day.
- When dry and hard, scrape with a plastic scraper or a spatula and wipe the area with wet toilet paper.
Method 3: Baking Soda
I am yet to find a cleaning hack that does not involve baking soda! It is an all-purpose cleaner that is excellent for almost all surfaces and is generally pretty safe. However, it took me quite a few tries over a week to get done with the job at hand.
Here’s what you need to lift the hair dye stain from the countertop with baking soda;
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Water
- Plastic cup
- Mixing stick
- Toilet paper
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and water in a cup. The consistency shouldn’t be too thin or too thick.
- Pour the mixture over the stains and let it sit for a few hours or until dried.
- Wipe off the dried paste with damp toilet paper.
FAQs On How To Get Hair Dye Off Granite Counter
How do I preserve my countertop’s shine after cleaning it with bleach?
Bleach and hydrogen peroxide can dull the shine of granite countertops. Use a stone shiner available online and in well-supplied hardware stores to restore your counter’s polish.
What is the safest way to get hair dye off the granite counter?
Baking soda is a gentle cleaner that can cut dye stains and does not contain any harsh chemicals.
