How to Remove a Henna Stain

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Henna is a plant-based dye that is often used to create beautiful temporary tattoos. It can also be used as a hair dye. Though henna fades naturally over time, you may have a stain that you want to get rid of immediately. Luckily, you can easily remove henna from your skin or from fabric using a few common household items.

Things You Should Know

To remove henna (mehndi) stains from clothes or fabric, apply vinegar or rubbing alcohol and let it sit on the stain for an hour, then launder the item like you normally would. For henna stains on skin, Henna artist Moushami Iyer recommends "washing the area often with soap to expedite fading."

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Getting Henna off of Skin

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  1. The oil is an emulsifier, while the salt is an exfoliant, so the combination works well to get the henna off of your skin. You can use any kind of salt you wish. [1] You could use baby oil if you don’t have olive oil. [2]
    • Some alternatives for removing henna from skin include baking soda, lemon juice, soapy water, and whitening toothpaste.
  2. Vigorously scrub the stained area of your skin with the cotton ball. When the cotton ball dries out, switch to a freshly-soaked one. Keep scrubbing until the henna is gone. [3]
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  3. Once the stained area has been scrubbed clean, thoroughly coat it with the mixture. Then, wash the area with warm water and mild soap, and rinse thoroughly. [4]
  4. If you still have henna on your skin, don’t despair. Soak a fresh cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide, then use it to scrub the stain. When the henna begins to rub off onto the cotton, get a new cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Keep scrubbing until the henna is gone. [6]
    • Hydrogen peroxide is gentle, so it shouldn’t irritate your skin. But, if your skin seems dry after using it, apply an unscented lotion to the area.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Removing Henna from Fabric

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  1. You’ll have an easier time removing the stain right after it happens than after the dye has dried and set into the fabric. If possible, treat the stain immediately. [7]
  2. Avoid rubbing the stain, which could make it bigger. Instead, press a soft and absorbent cloth onto the stain to soak up the excess dye. The dye will ruin the cloth, so you could use paper towels instead. Use a clean part of the cloth or towel each time you blot the fabric to prevent the stain from spreading. [8]
  3. Put a few drops of color-safe laundry detergent onto the stain if the item can be laundered. If the item can’t be laundered, spray the stain with fabric cleaner. Use a clean toothbrush to scrub the detergent or cleaner into the fabric. Continue to scrub until you don’t see any dye left in the fibers of the fabric. [9]
  4. Pour cold water over the stained fabric or place it under running water to rinse away the detergent or cleaner and dye. Don’t use hot water, which could set the stain. Keep rinsing until all the bubbles and dye are gone. [10]
  5. If you still see henna dye on the fabric, pour a little distilled white vinegar or rubbing alcohol onto the stain. Let it sit for up to an hour, then launder the item according to the care label. If the item is too big to launder, flush the area with cold water to remove the vinegar or alcohol. [11]
    • If necessary, you could scrub the fabric with the detergent or fabric cleaner again, then rinse it out with cold water.
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.removeallstains.com/2013/09/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-skin.html#.WjmNDNWnHrc
  2. ↑ https://www.enkiverywell.com/how-to-remove-henna-tattoo.html
  3. ↑ http://www.removeallstains.com/2013/09/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-skin.html#.WjmNDNWnHrc
  4. ↑ http://www.removeallstains.com/2013/09/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-skin.html#.WjmNDNWnHrc
  5. ↑ Moushami Iyer. Henna Artist. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
  6. ↑ https://oureverydaylife.com/how-to-remove-henna-stain-12078087.html
  7. ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-fabric/
  8. ↑ http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-your-clothes/story-kdbOqEVdAxS2ICBvdPsoyN.html
  9. ↑ http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-your-clothes/story-kdbOqEVdAxS2ICBvdPsoyN.html
  1. ↑ http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-your-clothes/story-kdbOqEVdAxS2ICBvdPsoyN.html
  2. ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-henna-stains-from-fabric/

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Do henna stains come out?
    Moushami Iyer
    Henna Artist
    Moushami Iyer is a Henna Artist and the Owner of Pastel Zenna, an art store in Chicago featuring Moushami's specialty in blending Zentangles and Henna. With over five years of experience, Moushami specializes in Henna tattoos, Henna-inspired art, woodwork, and offers Henna parties.
    Moushami Iyer
    Henna Artist
    Expert Answer
    Yes! Henna stain takes 10 day to 2 weeks to completely wear off. If you want to accelerate the process, wash often with soap.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How can I remove instant henna in one minute?
    Community Answer
    Rub alcohol on it and it should come out. Use a bottle instead of the alcohol pads the henna comes with.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Getting Henna off of Skin

      • Salt
      • Olive oil or baby oil
      • Bowl
      • Cotton balls
      • Mild soap
      • Hydrogen peroxide

      Removing Henna from Fabric

      • Old cloths or paper towels
      • Laundry detergent or fabric cleaner
      • Clean toothbrush
      • Distilled white vinegar or rubbing alcohol

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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove henna from your skin, scrub the area with a cotton ball soaked in equal parts olive oil and salt. Let the mixture soak for 10 minutes, then wash the skin with mild soap and water. To get a henna stain out of fabric, scrub a few drops of laundry detergent into the stain using a clean toothbrush, then rinse the area with cold water. For more tips and tricks on getting rid of persistent henna stains, keep scrolling!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Sara Lamen

        May 13, 2021

        "It came off and it was the simplest way out of all the ones I have tried before!"
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