How to Remove Easter Egg Dye Stains

How to Remove Easter Egg Dye Stains From Clothing

As soon as you notice that some Easter egg dye has hit a piece of clothing, blot with a paper towel and then follow these steps to remove the dye stains.

1. Flush the Stain

   Flush the stained area with cold water as soon as possible. Hold the fabric wrong-side up directly under a faucet stream running at full force. This will force the egg dye stain out of the fibers. If you can't get to a faucet, blot the stain with a cloth dipped in plain water to weaken the dye. Keep blotting until no more dye is transferred to the white cloth.

2. Treat the Stain

   Work some enzyme-based stain remover or heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent (Tide and Persil contain enough stain-removing enzymes to break apart the stain) into the stain and work it into the fabric well with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Allow the stain remover to work for at least 15 minutes.

3. Wash As Usual

   Wash the garment or table linen as usual following the care label instructions.

4. Check the Stained Area

   Check the stained area. If the dye stain remains, do not place the fabric in the dryer. The high heat could permanently set the stain. Move to the next step.

5. Mix a Soaking Solution

   Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (brand names are OxiClean, Nellie's All-Natural Oxygen Brightener, or ECOS OxoBrite) and warm water following the package directions.

6. Soak the Fabric

   Submerge the entire garment in a basin and allow it to soak for at least four hours or overnight. If the stain is not gone, repeat this step with a fresh solution of oxygen bleach and water. When no stain remains, wash as usual.

   Warning

   Oxygen bleach is safe to use on all white and colored fabrics except for silk, wool, and anything trimmed with leather.

How to Remove Easter Egg Dye Stains on Carpets and Upholstery

The same cleaning techniques that are used on carpets can be used for upholstery. The key is to never saturate the upholstery fabric with the cleaning solution. Too much moisture can cause problems with mold and mildew growth in the furniture stuffing.

Before cleaning any furniture, always follow the manufacturer's care label on cleaning upholstery. This tag can be found under the sofa cushions or fabric skirt with letter codes that indicate how to clean the furniture. If the upholstery is vintage or silk, call a professional.

1. Blot the Stained Area

   Blot up as much of the colored liquid as possible with a paper towel. Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to prevent spreading the stain any larger. Keep moving to a clean part of the towel and continue until no more dye transfers to the paper towel.

2. Mix a Cleaning Solution

   Mix 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of warm water in a small bowl.

3. Treat the Stain

   Dip a clean white cloth or paper towel into the solution and blot the stain once again from the outside edges toward the center. Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth until no dye transfers to the cloth.

4. Rinse the Stained Area

   Dip a clean white cloth into plain water and blot to rinse the cleaning solution completely out of the carpet. Make sure you completely rinse away the solution or any soapy residue can attract soil. Check the area and if any color remains, move to the next step.

5. Mix an Ammonia Solution

   Mix a solution of 1 tablespoon of non-sudsing ammonia and 1 cup of cool water in a small bowl. Check the color fastness of your carpet as directed in the Warning callout. If the carpet is colorfast, then proceed with this step. Dip a clean white cloth into the ammonia solution and blot the stained area. Finish by dampening a clean cloth with plain water and blotting to rinse the area.

   Warning

   Ammonia can remove the color from some carpets and fabrics. Always check the color fastness of your carpet or upholstery before applying the ammonia solution to the stain. Apply the solution to a hidden spot with a cotton swab to see if it affects the color. If the cotton swab picks up color, do not use this solution to remove the dye.

6. Air-Dry and Vacuum

   Allow the carpet to air dry completely away from direct heat and then vacuum to lift the carpet fibers.

Additional Tips for Handling Easter Egg Dye Stains

Food coloring stains are fairly easy to remove, but an ounce of prevention is best to minimize future holiday stains, especially on your hands. Choose lightweight rubber or plastic gloves when dyeing eggs. But if the damage is done, the best way to remove the dye from big and little hands is with baking soda and a bit of white vinegar. This method is non-toxic and safe for all ages. Here's how:

1. Dampen hands with water and sprinkle with baking soda.
2. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to create a bit of foaming action, then rub your hands together. The baking soda provides a gentle abrasive action to lift the dye.
3. Rinse well with warm water and repeat if needed.