How To Get Tie Dye Off Hands: 6 Ways With At Home Supplies

Georgia Stone
Dec 12, 2023 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Mar 03, 2021
Tie-dye crafts are a lot of fun but they can also leave a lot of mess on your hands and fingers.
Age: 0-99
Read time: 6.5 Min

If you and your kids have had a fun afternoon of making tie dye creations but your hands are now stained with dye, don't fret.

There are many ways to get tie dye off your hands using supplies you most likely already have in your house. From baking soda to vinegar and nail polish remover, we've got you and your little ones covered with these six easy ways to help you get those stubborn stains off your hands.

Most tie dye is made with fiber reactive dyes, like Procion MX dye that aren't toxic if you get a little bit on your skin from time to time.

Always keep a close eye on your kids if you're doing craft activities with them to make sure they don't put any of the dye in their mouths and avoid breathing in dye powder and eating any of the dye.

It's important to make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using any dyes and make sure you and your kids don't eat with unwashed hands.

If you have washed your hands and there are only pesky stains left and no leftover dye, it should be OK to eat with your hands but we recommend trying your hardest to remove all of the dye beforehand.

If you get to the sink fast enough, you may not need to use any products at all. Try scrubbing your hands with a bit of soap as soon as possible to save yourself time trying to remove the dye from your skin later.

Dyes need a while to soak into your hands before they completely stain them.

So, if you get any tie dye on your hands, try to scrub them as quickly as you can. If you really hate spending time removing dye from your hands after you finish your tie dye crafts, an easy solution is to wear gloves during your art sessions to save yourself the hassle later.

Food coloring is also a popular option for tie dying activities these days, and these six methods also work wonders if you're wondering how to get food coloring off skin. With these methods, you will be able to remove dye from your skin in under ten minutes.

But, if you can't get all of the dye off your skin, it will eventually disappear on its own after a few days so there is no need to worry.

If you like this article and are wondering how often should grandparents see their grandchildren or [how old do you have to be to babysit], you can find the answers here on Kidadl!

How To Get Tie Dye Off Hands

Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after getting any dye on them.

If you're thinking about how to get tie dye off hands fast, then look no further. These six ways are sure to get rid of those stubborn stains from your hands and your kids' hands. If the dye has dried on your skin, then these methods are perfect for removing it.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is probably the most effective and common method to get tie dye off your hands and fingers. It works by breaking down the active ingredients of the dye and it is also super handy for getting dye out of your clothes.

Start by mixing half a teaspoon of baking soda with water to create a paste. Then rub the paste on your hands as you would with hand wash, and any stubborn stains will come off in no time.

Baking soda can irritate some people's skin, so if you're not sure how it impacts your skin, try testing it on a small area first to see if it causes any redness. Make sure you dilute the soda with water to minimize irritation.

If you don't have any baking soda handy, then toothpaste is the second-best option as some toothpastes contain baking soda (if yours doesn't then you'll have to try another method). All you need is a small squeeze of toothpaste to rub onto your hands and those pesky stains should start to disappear.

Make sure to rinse off any excess paste afterwards.

For those with sensitive skin, we've also got you covered with ways to get tie dye off your hands without baking soda.

2. Exfoliating

If you're not a fan of using chemicals to remove the dye from your hands, you can try exfoliating the tie dye away. If removing stains from your little ones' hands, try using a gentle exfoliator to wash their hands with so you don't cause any irritation.

You can even make your own exfoliator using sugar and oil or adding sugar to your favorite moisturizer if you want to know exactly what ingredients are going on your skin.

3. Oil Based Products

Oil-based products work great for getting tie dye off your skin. Oil-based moisturizers, or even just plain oil, are also a good option for people with sensitive skin and they work much better than normal soap at removing tie dye.

All you need to do is gently rub the oil on the stained areas. This method may take several minutes to work and you may have to keep applying more to get all of the tie dye stains off your skin.

Using oil helps to prevent hands from drying out while you are cleaning them. You can use olive oil, baby oil, or pretty much any oil you have lying around the house.

Baby oil is the best choice if you're removing any die from your baby or toddler's hands to keep their skin moisturized. If you're not a fan of having an oily feeling on your hands, try using an oil-based moisturizer instead.

Oil is a great way to remove ink from skin and it even helps moisturize rather than scrub skin.

4. Vinegar

Vinegar is another great way to get tie dye off your skin. Use a cotton ball to soak up some vinegar and apply it to the stained areas. Scrub the tie dye off with your hands and then rinse with water.

You may need to repeat the process a few times for it to work. As vinegar is acidic, it can cause irritation to your skin. If this occurs, try a different method.

5. Nail Polish Remover

If you're really struggling to get the dye from your hands, you can try using nail polish remover and a cotton ball. First, wash your hands to get rid of any excess dye that can come off with water and soap.

Then apply a small amount of nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and wipe it across your hands to gently remove the remaining dye. Make sure to wash your hands after you've gotten all of the dye off.

We don't recommend this method for young children as they might put their fingers in their mouths while the nail polish remover is still on their skin.

6. Professional Stain Removers

If you have tried all of the methods in this list and still can't seem to get the stains off your hands or your kids' hands, you might need to opt for professional stain removal products.

There are plenty of professional products available to help your skin stay stain-free. For example, you can try hair dye-remover wipes that are available in many beauty salons.

While they are great for removing tie dye from your skin, these stain removers do contain chemicals that are harsh on skin, so it's best to leave these for when you really need their hands to be stain free and nothing else is working.

If you found this article helpful, then why not take a look at these [different ideas to ask your kids how was your day] or [what to do for a January birthday]?

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

Read full bio >