How to Get Rid of Green Hair from Chlorine- 11 Tips from a Hairstylist

Is green hair from chlorine permanent? No, it is not. Although it can sometimes feel impossible to remove entirely, green hair from chlorine is relatively simple to fix without damaging your lovely locks. Below are 11 effective methods and tips to restore your hair to its natural color and shine.

8 Ways to Get Green Out of Hair from Chlorine – Home Remedies

Using any of the methods listed below to remove chlorine from hair, be aware that if your hair feels slimy when rinsing, it means the treatment is working. Once chlorine is broken down on the hair, it slides right off, making it easy to rinse out.

Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoo is a strong cleansing shampoo designed to break down and remove product buildup on the hair. It can also help with breaking down product on the scalp, although it is primarily intended for hair.

👉 To use clarifying shampoo, apply it to your hair and allow it to lather up, massaging it into your hair for at least one minute. This gives the product enough time to work and remove the chlorine.

👉 Rinse thoroughly and condition your hair as usual. You should feel the chlorine sliding off your hair as you rinse, creating a slimy sensation.

👉 If your hair still smells like chlorine, feels sticky, or looks green after the first wash, apply a second round of clarifying shampoo.

The WRONG way to use Clarifying Shampoo – Pro Tip

It’s important to note that clarifying shampoo should not be used as a regular daily wash. It is designed to remove product buildup, overuse can strip too much of the natural oils from your scalp and hair, leading to dryness.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great natural alternative to using clarifying shampoo.

✔️ Simply mix one teaspoon of baking soda with either water or your regular shampoo, and let it sit on your hair for at least one minute, but no longer than ten minutes.

✔️ Afterward, rinse and follow up with a deep conditioner or a chemical-free hair mask to help your hair grow and stay healthy.

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Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

An alternative cleansing method to shampoo, apple cider vinegar can effectively remove chlorine from hair.

🍎 Mix three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water.

🍎 Wet your hair and ensure it is evenly saturated, then pour the mixture over your hair, working it into your scalp.

🍎 Rub it in well, but be gentle on your scalp. Let the apple cider vinegar rinse sit for five minutes before rinsing it out.

🍎 Follow up with your favorite conditioner or a hydrating mask.

Apple Cider Vinegar Mask Rinse Recipe

Lemon Juice

🍋 Lemon juice naturally counters the copper in the water that causes green hair.

🍋Mix 1/4 cup of lemon juice with one cup of water. Massage it into your hair, ensuring it is evenly saturated, and leave it on for three to four minutes before rinsing.

If the chlorine is still present, try mixing the lemon juice with club soda, as the carbonation can help break down the buildup more effectively.

Aspirin

Aspirin can also help remove green hair from chlorine.

🫙 Crush seven or eight aspirin tablets and mix them with water to create a paste.

🫙 Apply the paste to your hair and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing and washing as usual.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola contains properties that can break down copper and other metals, which are often responsible for green hair.

👍 Apply Coca-Cola to the green areas of your hair and allow it to sit for ten minutes.

👍 Then, rinse and condition your hair as usual.

V8 Tomato Juice and Ketchup

The universal color wheel shows that red is the opposite of green, meaning red neutralizes green.

🍅 If your hair is green, you can neutralize the color by applying something red, such as V8 tomato juice or ketchup.

🍅 The main ingredients in ketchup, salt, and acid from the tomatoes, help break down copper.

❌ However, if your hair is very light blonde, especially if it has been bleached, be cautious when using tomato juice or ketchup.

❌ Bleached hair has a cracked cuticle and can absorb the red color too much, which we want to avoid.

❌ If your hair is completely natural, the tomato juice should be enough to neutralize the green without turning your hair red.

DO NOT leave the ketchup or tomato juice on your hair for more than 15 minutes. If necessary, you can repeat the process, but if your hair is still green after the second round, try another method to remove the chlorine and copper rather than just neutralizing the color.

How to Remove Chlorine from Hair Naturally

Natural methods are a great way to remove chlorine from your hair without harsh chemicals. Here are some effective natural remedies:

Baking Soda– As mentioned earlier, baking soda can be mixed with water or shampoo and left on the hair for a short period to break down chlorine.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse– This natural rinse can help cleanse your hair of chlorine while balancing the pH of your scalp.
Lemon Juice– Mixing lemon juice with water or club soda can help counteract the green tint caused by chlorine.

How to Prevent Hair from Turning Green from Chlorine

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to prevent your hair from turning green due to chlorine:

Wet Your Hair Beforehand

Wetting your hair with clean water before swimming can help prevent chlorine absorption, as your hair will already be saturated with clean water, leaving less room for chlorinated water.

Leaving in Conditioner

Apply conditioner to your wet hair before swimming and do not rinse it out. This will help seal the hair shaft, preventing chlorine from penetrating and causing green hair.

Braid Your Hair

After wetting and conditioning your hair, braid it to keep the conditioner in place and protect your hair from chlorine.

Wear a Cap

Wearing a swim cap can effectively prevent your hair from absorbing pool water. However, if you have long hair or a sensitive scalp, braiding can be a good alternative.

Use Leave-in Conditioner

After swimming, wash your hair with clean water and clarifying shampoo, and apply a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair hydrated between swims.

Getting Rid of Green Hair from Chlorine

As a child with very blonde hair, I experienced my fair share of green tints after swimming. We tried various methods to remove the green, but none actually worked, so we ended up cutting off my long, beautiful locks.

*Que dramatic sigh*

Little did we know that I would grow up to become a hair professional and learn how simple it is to remove green hair from chlorine without cutting off length.

What Causes Hair to Turn Green from the Pool?

It’s not always chlorine that causes green hair. It could be green algae or minerals in the pool water that build up and turn hair green.

Copper is commonly found in pool water and is used to kill algae, which can turn a pool green. Once copper is in the hair, it oxidizes, causing the hair to turn green. This mineral can also naturally enter pool water from the water source.

How to Get Green Out of Hair from Chlorine By Using Shampoo

Clarifying shampoo and red toning shampoo are two effective types of shampoo to use for removing green tints from blonde hair.

Blonde hair is particularly prone to absorbing copper and green tones from pool chemicals. According to the color wheel, red neutralizes green, so using red toning shampoo can help counteract the green.

If you’re concerned that red shampoo might leave your hair pink, clarifying shampoo is a safer option.

How to Use Clarifying Shampoo

To use clarifying shampoo effectively, apply it to your hair and massage it in for at least one minute. Rinse thoroughly and condition as usual. You may need to repeat the process if your hair still appears green or feels sticky.

What you Need to Know About Clarifying Shampoo

Other Tips for Maintaining Healthy Hair During Pool Season

Maintaining healthy hair is crucial, especially if you frequently swim in chlorinated pools. Here are some additional tips to keep your hair healthy:

Use a Deep Conditioner

Regularly using a deep conditioner can help restore moisture and nutrients to your hair.

Avoid Heat Styling

Minimize the use of heat styling tools, which can further damage hair that has been exposed to chlorine.

Trim Regularly

Regular trims can help prevent split ends and keep your hair looking healthy.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps keep your hair hydrated from the inside out.

Eat a Balanced Diet

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports healthy hair growth.

By following these tips and using the methods mentioned above, you can effectively remove green hair from chlorine and keep your hair healthy and beautiful. Whether you prefer natural remedies or specialized shampoos, there are plenty of options to restore your hair to its natural color and shine.