Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Candice Ayers. Candice Ayers is a Hairstylist and the manager of Bespoke Hair Studio in San Diego, California. Candice has been manager at Bespoke Hair for six years, working both behind the chair and behind the scenes. In addition to managing the business side of Bespoke Hair, Candice's specialty is creating lived-in blended looks that enhance each client's unique head of hair.
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People with blonde hair often have to deal with their hair turning green after extended periods of time at the pool. Some people's hair turns green after 2-3 days of pool activities, but everyone's hair is different. Here are several methods to remove the green from your hair and to counter the effects of the pool.
Best Way to Remove Green from Blonde Hair
Wash your hair, then soak the green ends in a bowl filled with ½ cup (118 mL) of water and ¼ (59 mL) cup of vinegar for about 2 minutes. Add 2–3 tablespoons (34–51 g) of baking soda to the bowl and let the mixture fizz on your hair for another 2–3 minutes. Pat your hair dry, then rinse out the vinegar mixture.
Steps
Wash your hair. This should help the green color come out, or at least fade a bit. Your hair should be clean before you continue to the next steps.
Make the vinegar mixture. Mix 1/2 cup of water with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a bowl that is big enough to hold all the hair that has turned green, which is usually only the tips.Advertisement
Soak your hair. In the bowl filled with the vinegar mixture, soak your hair for about two minutes.
4Add baking soda. Add 2–3 tablespoons (29.6–44.4 ml) of baking soda to the water while your hair is still in the bowl. Let it fizz up and get in your hair for 2-3 minutes.- You can also make a paste out of shampoo and baking soda and use this to wash your hair in the shower.
Dry your hair. Take your hair out and lay it on a dry towel. Pat it dry until it isn't dripping.
Rinse your hair. Rinse your hair in warm water until all the vinegar is gone.- To make sure all the vinegar is out, put a small lock of hair in your mouth and suck on it. If you taste vinegar, rinse it more thoroughly.
Add hydrogen peroxide. If your hair is still green at this point (your hair should still be damp), put 4-5 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in your hand and comb it through with your fingers. You can also rub the hydrogen peroxide into your strands with your hands. Do not apply it to your scalp. Let the peroxide stay in your hair until the green is out. Watch your hair to see when the green is gone and then rinse.
Check out the results. If your hair is still green after using hydrogen peroxide, then you may just have to let it wear out.
Wash your hair with shampoo. This will help lessen the green to begin with, but it is also important to proceed with clean hair.
Wash your hair with tomato juice. Take a cup of tomato juice (or tomato soup) and pour it on your head. Run your fingers through your hair to make sure the tomato juice covers your hair evenly. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes.- Alternatively, you can use ketchup instead of tomato juice or tomato soup. Ketchup is less runny and can be much more manageable in the cleanup process.[1]
Rinse your hair. Rinse the tomato juice completely out of your hair.- You can repeat washing with tomato juice and rinsing a second time if you want to be extra thorough.
Let your hair dry. Allow your hair to dry completely. You can sleep on it overnight or just wait several hours.- Note: Do not blow dry your hair. Make sure you let it dry naturally.
1Purchase some professional shampoo. There are several types of commercial hair care products intended for swimmers that can help remove the green from hair when natural home remedies just won't cut it.
Wash your hair with the professional clarifying shampoo. Follow the instructions on the bottle.[4]- Alternatively, you can use a leave-in pre-swim treatment for preventative measures. Try Malibu C Swimmer's Natural Wellness Treatment or H2O Pre Swim Gel. These treatments restore color, seal the hair, and help prevent future discoloration.
Rinse your hair. Rinse the special shampoo out of your hair completely.
Let your hair dry. Don't blow dry your hair; just let it dry naturally.- Alternatively, you can get a salon treatment called a seal coat (or a gloss coat) that prevents the copper in the water from attaching to the cuticles in your hair. This works best on shorter hair.
1Wet your hair. Dry hair absorbs moisture and whatever else is accompanying that moisture. Having wet hair will provide protection because your hair will already be saturated with water, so it will not absorb whatever is in the pool. Take a moment to wet your hair using water from a shower or sink before you go swimming.[5]
2Condition your hair before you go swimming. Conditioner provides a barrier between your hair and the chlorine in the pool, so it can help to prevent your hair from turning green. Before you hop into the pool, apply a layer of conditioner to protect it.[6]
Wear a swim cap. A swim cap will cover your hair completely and prevent it from coming into contact with the chlorine in the water. Try putting on a swim cap to prevent green hair from the pool water.EXPERT TIP"Don't forget to rinse and lightly shampoo your hair after swimming!"
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed CosmetologistLaura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Q&A
- QuestionWhat causes blonde hair to turn green?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistBlonde hair can take on a greenish tint from exposure to chlorine or from a toner that is either formulated incorrectly or left on for too long. In either of these cases to preserve the brightness of the hair, it is better to remove the green tint than to try to cover it. - QuestionWhat color cancels out green hair?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistRed is the opposite of green on the color wheel. To cover a greenish tint you would want to use a copper tone or a warm brown. Be aware, however, that adding pigment this way will make the hair look a lot darker. You may want to remove the green tone with a lightener or color remover instead. - QuestionWhat other products do you recommend for removing chlorine green from blonde hair?
Candice AyersCandice Ayers is a Hairstylist and the manager of Bespoke Hair Studio in San Diego, California. Candice has been manager at Bespoke Hair for six years, working both behind the chair and behind the scenes. In addition to managing the business side of Bespoke Hair, Candice's specialty is creating lived-in blended looks that enhance each client's unique head of hair.
HairstylistI recommend using a detox (clarifying) shampoo, the one that's meant to specifically remove buildup. Also, before going into chlorinated water, I recommend wetting your hair and applying a leave-in conditioner, as it acts like a barrier for chlorinated water.
Tips
- Lemon juice may also help get out the green.Thanks
- Keep out of the pool while you are working on getting the green out.Thanks
- Make sure to wash your hair very well each time after swimming.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about removing hair dye, check out our in-depth interview with Candice Ayers.
References
- ↑ http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2013/09/restoring-chlorine-green-pool-hair-to.html
- ↑ http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/jun/26/best-buys-cures-summertime-green/
- ↑ http://www.sallybeauty.com/swimmers-shampoo/ION74,default,pd.html
- ↑ http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/jun/26/best-buys-cures-summertime-green/
- ↑ http://www.today.com/style/chlorine-hair-prevent-green-hair-pool-I543040
- ↑ http://www.today.com/style/chlorine-hair-prevent-green-hair-pool-I543040
About This Article
To get green out of blonde hair, wash your hair as soon as you can. Once you are out of the shower, soak your hair for 2 minutes in a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup water. You can also add in 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar mixture to help neutralize your hair. After 2 minutes, rinse out and dry your hair. To help prevent green hair, make sure to get your hair wet and add conditioner before going in swimming pools. For our Cosmetologist reviewer's advice on what to do if vinegar and baking soda doesn't remove all of the green, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"I have very light blonde hair (dyed). The nape area turned green after swimming. I used the vinegar, baking soda and peroxide as directed, and the green hair turned back to blonde. Needless to say, I will be investing in a swim cap soon."..." more
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