How to Get Purple Shampoo Stains out of Shower Surfaces — a Helpful Guide with Tips

Purple shampoo can be a lifesaver if your hair starts developing yellow, brassy tones. However, it can be a nightmare when it leaves stubborn stains in your shower or bathtub. Luckily, a few easy methods can help in such a predicament.

Purple shampoo is a popular hair care product used mainly by people with blonde, silver, or light-colored hair. It's infused with a purple or violet hue, resulting in the product's purple pigment.

Its primary purpose is to neutralize yellow or brassy tones that develop in bleached hair due to environmental factors, helping to keep the hair looking as good as new. However, when applied at home, there's a risk that purple shampoo will leave stubborn, unsightly stains on your bathroom surfaces.

A woman getting her hair washed with purple shampoo | Source: Shutterstock

Several factors contribute to why purple shampoo stains can be difficult to remove. These include the purple shampoo's pigment, which can leave residue on your bathroom surfaces. Additionally, if purple shampoo interacts with hard water, it can lead to stubborn stains.

If you want to remove purple shampoo stains from your bathroom surfaces, use a cleaning solution with a higher pH level than the product. Some natural cleaners that may help include washing soda, baking soda, and borax.

A woman washing her hair with purple shampoo | Source: Shutterstock

How to Get Purple Shampoo Stains Out of Shower Surfaces: Step-by-Step

What You'll Need:

• baking soda
• white vinegar
• a soft-bristle brush or toothbrush
• a bucket
• rubber gloves
• a plastic scraper
• bleach (optional)

A young man carrying a bucket of cleaning supplies | Source: Shutterstock

What to Do:

1. Ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated to have good airflow while working with cleaning solutions.

2. Wear your gloves, add ¼ cup of baking soda into a bucket, and gradually add vinegar until you have a spreadable paste. (Note: you may need more or less based on the affected area's size.)

Create a baking soda paste | Source: Shutterstock

3. Dip a microfiber cloth into the paste and spread it on the affected areas. Ensure they are fully covered, then leave the paste to work for about 10-15 minutes.

4. Take your brush and scrub the stained areas gently. Use the plastic scraper for stubborn stains, but be careful not to damage the surface.

(For illustrative purposes) Gently scrub the affected area with a soft-bristled brush | Source: Shutterstock

5. Rinse the paste off thoroughly.

6. Repeat if necessary.

The following steps can be implemented if the stains persist.

7. Mix equal parts bleach and water.

9. When you return, wipe the solution off, and the stain should be removed.

A young woman wiping her shower walls | Source: Shutterstock

Other alternatives include using a commercial cleaner specifically made for stubborn stains like those from purple shampoo. Once you've removed them, perhaps use a shower curtain or designate a particular area for washing your hair with purple shampoo to prevent future stains.

Additionally, if your bathroom has matte porcelain tile flooring or surfaces, here's how to clean those tiles and keep them in good condition.