How to Prevent Hair Dye from Staining Shower

You can prevent hair dye from staining the shower by preparing the area with towels or sheets, wearing old clothes, gathering proper tools, maintaining proper hair dye process, getting the overall area ready, etc. 

Even though I might not use hair dye regularly, my wife does. And I understand how messier the shower can get from all the hair dye, which can be frustrating. That’s why I came up with a few preventive ideas and learned a few from my friends. And I will share them with you, along with some tips and maintenance procedures.

Let’s find them out!

Reasons Behind Hair Dye Stains the Shower

There are certain reasons why your shower stains while dyeing your hair, and the list can be lost in my experience. Literally, everyone in my family has dyed their hair at least once, even my nine-year-old daughter.

I have hands-on experience with how messy all those can be. Here are all the possible reasons why you might be staining your shower while dyeing your hair so that It gives a proper understanding.

Situation #1: Drip and Splatter

First, the liquid consistency of hair dye can easily spread and adhere to different materials. Drips and splatters can occur when applying the dye, leading to stains on shower surfaces and even your bathtub.

Situation #2: Material

Of course, most of us can’t afford to get expensive materials to put on our showers. We all get materials like grout, tiles, and natural stone, which can be porous. Consequently, porous materials absorb liquids, including hair dye, which can lead to deep staining that is hard to remove.

Situation #3: Dye Composition

Another reason could be the chemical composition of hair dye. These chemicals can also bond with various surfaces, making wiping or cleaning difficult, not to mention the dye’s nature, which could be acidic or alkaline. 

Hair dyes can have varying pH levels, some of which can be acidic, and these can react with the components of the shower materials, causing discoloration or stains.

Situation #4: Clean-Up

And, sometimes, even if you clean up immediately, tiny dye particles may remain on surfaces. As a result, these particles can accumulate over time and lead to gradual staining.

Besides, you might not put enough effort into cleaning the shower. If dye spills are not promptly cleaned, they have more time to seep into surfaces and set. The longer the dye sits, the more challenging it becomes to remove.

Situation #5: Accessories

Not to forget, brushes and combs are your partners in hair dye crime, but they can also be the culprits behind the mess. When brushing through your newly dyed hair, remnants of dye on your tools can make their way onto your shower shelves or the bathtub’s edge.

Situation #6: Steam

I experienced one thing that made me realize how messy it can get. Hair dye application in a steamy bathroom can lead to dye particles becoming airborne. These particles may settle on shower surfaces as the steam condenses, resulting in stains.

Situation #7: Preventive Measure

Lastly, the absence of protective measures, like plastic sheets or old towels, can allow hair dye to run amok in your bathroom. Preventive actions are like the bouncers of the hair dye party, keeping the mess in check.

Yes, there can be more issues that can lead to more messier situations. That’s why I will discuss how to prevent those one by one.

How Do You Not Stain the Shower with Dye?

As you might have already realized how messy these can be, it’s better to take preventive measurements as these don’t cost you more time and effort.

That’s why I listed some proven preventive measurements or more like a to-do list that won’t cost you less time preparing and more time in taking preventive measures.

Preventive Way #1: Prepare Beforehand

The obvious solution is to spread plastic sheets, old towels, or newspapers on the shower floor and surrounding areas. These will catch any rebellious dye droplets and save your surfaces from unwanted artwork.

And, it’s a good idea to suit up in an old shirt or robe that’s seen better days and no longer needed. It’s your shield against dye splatters, ensuring your shower isn’t mistaken for a canvas.

Preventive Way #2: Accessories Precautions

Don’t even think about skipping the gloves. Slip on disposable gloves like a pro surgeon prepping for a delicate operation. Your hands will thank you, and so will your shower.

Besides, gather the tools of the trade, brushes, combs, and applicators. These precision instruments will help you apply the dye exactly where it’s meant to go, reducing the risk of messy mishaps.

Preventive Way #3: Proper Applying Process

Here is the thing I found most useful while dyeing, and I call it the “divide and conquer” method. All you have to do is clip or tie your hair into sections before dye application, minimizing the chance of dye flying all over the place and keeping the process tidy.

As we all dye near the hairline, using a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a specialized barrier cream would be a good choice. As a result, it will create a protective barrier that keeps dye from sneaking onto your skin or shower walls.

And I will use the classic quote, “Slow and steady wins the race. Apply the dye methodically and with care. Rushing through the process can lead to unnecessary mess.

Preventive Way #4: Preparing the Scene

As there are many things involved in the dyeing process, it’s normal to things get messier. You must control the dye bottle like a maestro with a baton. Squeeze gently and purposefully to avoid sudden bursts that can lead to splatters.

Besides, keep your dyeing station in the middle of the shower or bathtub. It minimizes the risk of dye reaching the walls, fixtures, or curtains. Also, ensure that the bathtub draining system is working properly.

If your shower has mirrors, cover them up. Dye reflections might look cool, but trust me, you’d rather not see them later on your shower walls. Many people suggest you do it on the veranda or the open space if possible.

Preventive Way #5: If something happens

It’s not a preventive measure but a quick response to minimize the damage or stain. Having a stash of damp cloth or paper towels nearby is a good practice. These are your quick response team for tackling stray droplets before they take root.

Not to mention mentally prepare for a post-dye cleanup session. Even with precautions, a few smudges might happen. But with your cleaning supplies ready, you’ll be the stain-fighting superhero.

But, I guess those won’t be enough because things happen, and it’s very normal even after taking all the precautions, There might be incidents where you might need to clean the area where the dye fell. And in the next section, I will discuss that.

How Do You Remove Hair Dye Stains from Shower?

Seeing your shower stained from the hair dye is painful, which I understand. I won’t go into too much detail and share the proven way to deal with this situation. 

Here are the steps I always followed if I or one of my kids stained the shower with hair dye.

1. You need three things first: baking soda, white vinegar, and a cloth or sponge.
2. First, create a paste in a small bowl by mixing baking soda with a bit of water.
3. With your paste ready, gently spread it over the stained areas in your shower.
4. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
5. Armed with your cloth or sponge, start gently scrubbing the stained areas.
6. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz the stained areas generously.
7. Let the vinegar solution do its thing for another 10-15 minutes.
8. Grab that cloth or sponge again and gently scrub the stained areas. You’ll notice the stains are starting to surrender.

When you’re done, you will notice that dye-stain-free shower.

Regular Maintenance and Tips to Prevent Shower Stains

Even after everything, having a regular maintenance routine, followed by some tips, won’t hurt anyone. Rather, these will keep your shower free from any stains.

Here are some things I follow regularly.

• Before your shower, give the walls and surfaces a quick wipe with a squeegee, towel, or even your hand.
• Don’t use harsh chemicals, as they can damage surfaces and make them more susceptible to staining over time. I always use mild, non-abrasive bathroom cleaners.
• Double-check that any cleaning products you use are safe for the specific materials in your shower.
• Ensure your shower is well-ventilated after each use. Use an exhaust fan or open a window to let moisture escape.

These are things to remember, and the rest you know already, so I won’t repeat them. Let me know If these are working or not.

Wrap Up

Regular maintenance, following rules, or taking preventive measures can be a hassle sometimes, but it will free you from the pain of seeing your shower stained from hair dye.

As you realized already, you must take into consideration everything I discussed. Of course, there could be more effective and efficient methods, and if you know any, let me know in the comment section. Besides, taking all the preventive measures should be enough.

Have a good day!