Is that new hair dye or color not giving you the look you were hoping to achieve? Here are some helpful tips on how to remove hair color with baking soda.
Written by Neha Tiwari | Updated on Apr 14, 2023 | 04:56 PM IST | 43.2K
how to remove hair color with baking soda
You tried on your favorite hair color. But now you feel that it does not suit you. You may have tried coloring your hair on your own and the result is underwhelming. If you’re in a pickle, running out of time, or simply want to try a less abrasive way for removing hair color, here are some tips on how to remove hair color with baking soda. It can help hair color mishaps fade away gradually and naturally. But that baking soda isn’t a magical elixir and it only helps fade the color away and that it may take several tries for the color to completely go away. But, that’s not the only thing to keep in mind when using baking soda to remove hair dye. We’ll be looking at a few methods and helpful step-by-step application tips to get it done the right way.
6 Tried and Tested Ways to Use Baking Soda for Hair Dye Removal
Who would’ve thought that an ingredient used in cooking and baking would become a viable and easy solution for removing hair color? Using baking soda for hair lightening is an at-home process trusted by many. Here are some of the most effective methods to do it.
Method 1: Baking soda only
Baking soda for hair dye removal in itself is an excellent solution. Baking soda can remove color from your hair but it will not strip away the chemicals used in permanent dyes.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Water
How to:
- Prepare a paste by mixing baking soda and water.
- Apply the paste to clean, dry hair and let it sit for an hour.
- Rinse it off and follow it up with a shampoo and conditioner.
Frequency: Twice a day from the day of coloring your hair. Baking soda alone only works on freshly colored hair. Although you may not see a dramatic difference, it helps wash off a lot of the initial coloring.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Even if you don’t have a dandruff problem, it’s a good idea to use anti-dandruff shampoo as it is known to contain an ingredient called selenium sulfide which helps fade hair dye away. Ketoconazole, a synthetic azole compound with antifungal properties, is also commonly found in anti-dandruff shampoos to control seborrhoeic dermatitis. However, one must be careful in not over-using it as it may make the scalp and the hair dry (1).
Things you’ll need:
- Water
- Anti-dandruff shampoo
- Baking soda
How to:
- In a bowl, prepare a mixture of equal parts anti-dandruff shampoo and baking soda.
- Then start adding a few drops of water and smoothen it into a paste.Ensure that the paste is not gritty.
- Wet your hair thoroughly before applying the paste.
- After you have applied it, keep it for the next five to seven minutes.
- Wash off properly, preferably with cold water.
Frequency: It’s safe to try this hack 4-5 times a week. This method works best if your hair color is already fading away and is in the final stages of returning to its natural color.
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Method 3: Dish Soap, Shampoo, and Baking Soda
Yes, another peculiar kitchen item makes it to the list. Why dish soap though? It acts as a mild bleaching agent and helps lighten your tresses. Dish soaps are deliberately made with the intent to break up oil on greasy dishes, leaving it sparkly clean. So, if you’re using it to remove unwanted hair color, use it sparingly as it may cause your hair to dry out.
Things you’ll need:
- Dish soap
- Shampoo
- Baking soda
How to:
- Mix 5 drops of dish soap, a coin-sized amount of shampoo, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl.
- Add a few drops of water to bring it to an almost runny consistency.
- Apply the paste generously throughout your hair and bring it to a soapy lather.
- Wash it off thoroughly and air dry it out immediately. If that is not an option, use a hair dryer.
- Apply a thin layer of oil to protect your hair from becoming too dry.
Frequency: As dish soaps could potentially ruin your hair and make it dry it is advisable to try this method out only twice a week and never twice in a row on the same day.
Method 4: Crushed Vitamin C tablets and Baking Soda
No, we’re not joking. Yes, you really can use Vitamin C tablets and baking soda to remove hair dye. Why Vitamin C? It’s a safe and non-abrasive way to lighten your hair color, especially if you chose a dark one. The acid in vitamin C oxidizes the dye and makes it loose, so that it doesn’t cling to your hair. A study linked hair loss to a Vitamin C deficiency (2). As the tablets lighten your hair, it’s also playing a role in protecting your hair. This method works best if you colored your hair less than 3 days ago. If it's been longer, you may not see the same results and the fade may look negligible.
Things you’ll need
- Water
- Baking soda
- Vitamin C tablets or powder
How to:
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- Crush vitamin C tablets to a fine powder and mix it with water. If you can find Vitamin C powder, your job is made easier.
- In a separate bowl, mix some baking soda with water to form a paste.
- Wet your hair and apply the Vitamin C paste all over the hair. Vitamin C can only properly penetrate your hair when it’s wet.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap or wrap your hair with a plastic sheet.
- Let it sit for an hour.
- Rinse the mixture out properly with water only. Rinse as many times as necessary till you feel like there is no residue left.
- Apply baking soda paste and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Rinse with water and follow it up with a mild shampoo and a conditioner.
Frequency: Once a week.
Method 5: Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid often used as an antiseptic on the skin to prevent infections on burns, cuts, and the like. It’s also used as a bleaching agent for dyed hair and works by toning down hair color. It oxidizes the hair pigment, melanin, and keratin, which is the hair’s structural protein. Using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to remove hair dye is a winning combination as baking soda delays the process of the paste drying out fast.
Things You’ll Need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
How to:
- Prepare a thick paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
- Wash your hair properly with shampoo before applying the paste. Don’t use a conditioner or leave-in serums as the hair needs to be as clean as possible.
- Let it become damp and divide your hair into as many sections as you like for easy application.
- Make sure that you’re not using more than 03% hydrogen peroxide otherwise it may damage your hair.
- Using a flat brush, start applying the paste all over the hair. Ensure that it is kept for at least 30 minutes.
- Wash it off with cold water only and follow it up with a shampoo and conditioner.
- Let it air dry for best results.
Frequency: Once a week.
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Method 6: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Lemon helps in clearing out the toxins from your hair. This commonplace superfood also contains strong bleaching properties. It naturally and gently strips your hair of color.
Things you’ll need:
- Lemon
- Baking soda
How to:
- Squeeze a lemon to extract lemon juice.
- Mix it with baking soda and make a paste.
- Apply the paste to freshly washed damp hair and leave it for 30 minutes
- After rinsing your hair thoroughly, wash it for a second time, now using an anti-dandruff shampoo.
- Complete the process with a mild conditioner and air dry your hair.
Frequency: Twice a day soon after coloring your hair.
Coloring or dyeing our hair can be an incredibly fun experiment. But sometimes experiments can go horribly wrong and on other times, a hair color that looks great on your best friend might be the complete opposite on your skin tone and complexion. But, the best part is that it’s fixable and hair color is temporary. We hope that your quest for how to remove hair color with baking soda ends here and the methods mentioned above work flawlessly for you.
There’s just one request from us. Please be careful. Consult a dermatologist or a hair and scalp expert before trying out any of these methods to ensure safety and good hair health. If you can’t find the time to do that, at least please make the sound choice of conducting a patch test and wait an hour to see if any allergies flare up. Happy experimenting!
Sources:
1. Ketoconazole, a synthetic azole compound with antifungal properties, is also commonly found in anti-dandruff shampoos to control seborrhoeic dermatitis
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Ketoconazole shampoo-induced hair discoloration
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7105667/
2. A study linked hair loss to a Vitamin C deficiency
The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/
3. Vitamin C plays a major role in forming blood vessels and works as an antioxidant which forms the body’s defense system.
Vitamin C Levels in Lemons (Citrus Limon) Grown in Zambia; an Opportunity for Utilisation in Fish Feeds
ALSO READ:What Causes White Hair and How Do You Combat it?
FAQs
What is the fastest way to remove permanent hair color with baking soda? ›
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda can be an effective way to remove permanent hair dye naturally because of its lightening properties. Try mixing baking soda with lemon juice, which is acidic, to create a paste. Then, work the paste through your hair, allow it to sit for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
Use this kind of shampoo two or three times to remove most of the color. Another way to remove hair dyes from scalps is by using baking soda and water. Make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it directly onto dampened scalp skin. Allow it to sit for 15–20 minutes before rinsing out with cool water.
How do you wash your hair with baking soda to get out color? ›Combine two tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of water. Wet your hair and apply this mixture to it. Work the mixture into your hair and leave it in for about 10 minutes. Rinse your hair with water.
How to remove permanent hair dye with baking soda and vinegar? ›You can apply the vinegar by mixing it with a shampoo or by spraying the vinegar into your hair. Allow to soak for 10 minutes before rinsing & conditioning as usual. A 50:50 ratio works best. Baking soda is abrasive & can work to physically massage the dye lifting it from the hair.
How to remove hair color with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? ›To lighten your hair with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, mix the two ingredients into a paste, and spread it evenly throughout your hair. Leave it on for 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how dark your hair is, and then rinse it out with cold water.
Can you leave baking soda on hair too long? ›Over time, baking soda can strip the natural oil from the hair, lead to breakage, and make the hair fragile. People with very oily hair may see some benefits from using baking soda, but it should only be used for a brief time and with caution.
Will Dawn dish soap remove hair dye? ›Key Takeaways. The actual purpose of the Dawn dish soap is to clean utensils and remove grease from them. However, this soap can also remove dandruff, grease, and oil from your hair. The dish soap also acts as a mild bleach and can remove or lighten hair color on your hair.
What removes hair dye the fastest? ›Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent that can be used to remove hair color quickly and easily. Simply combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle, then spritz it onto your damp hair evenly.
- Clarifying Shampoo. Clarifying shampoos is one of the pillars of hair care. ...
- Ascorbic Acid Hair Mask. ...
- Lemon Juice and Baking Soda. ...
- White Vinegar Wash. ...
- Dish Washing Liquid.
Sulfur-based hair strippers work by opening your hair's cuticle and breaking down the molecules of dye attached to your cortex so that it can be washed away. These products target hair dye without changing your natural hair color. They may be useful for lightening your hair or preparing your hair to be re-dyed.
Does baking soda and vinegar remove dye? ›
Removing Hair Dye Stains from Bath Tub
Pour 1 small cup of vinegar into the water. Mix the vinegar into the water in the tub using your hands. Add half a cup of baking soda to the water. There will be a fizzing action that will help remove the hair dye stains.
Though not completely natural, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed with equal amount of water and apply it to hair to get rid of hair dye. Keep the hydrogen peroxide in hair for 10 minutes for it to work through hair. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Does baking soda and vinegar melt hair? ›Another option for dissolving hair in a drain is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This mixture will create a chemical reaction that will break down the hair.
Does baking soda and dish soap remove hair dye from skin? ›Dish soap and baking soda
Baking soda is exfoliating, and dish soap can help to dissolve the dye. To use, combine gentle dish soap and baking soda to form a paste. Gently rub the paste over the stained area on your hands, and then rinse with warm water.
When you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, it causes an exothermic chemical reaction that turns it into the grease and mineral-busting cleaning powerhouse that I love.
How do you lighten hair that was dyed too dark with baking soda? ›Add things like hydrogen peroxide, water, lemon juice, or an anti-dandruff shampoo to baking soda before mixing them together. Apply your chosen mixture to your hair, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse it out to enjoy your newly lightened locks.
Can you mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? ›Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda make a fantastic combination together. They both have excellent bleaching properties by themselves. However, they become one strong force when mixed that can remove all types of stains, be it from teeth or grouts!
What happens if I put baking soda in my hair and now it's dry? ›In general, baking soda is abrasive and can leave your hair and scalp dry. Using the powder as a shampoo is more likely to be effective for people with extra oily hair. People with dry hair should consider following the rinse with a conditioner to moisturize the scalp.
What happens if you put baking soda on gray hair? ›Baking soda is abrasive and can dry out hair and scalp. This is the reason that baking soda is not good for gray hair and it must be used cautiously. Regular use of baking soda on gray hair can be damaging in the long term, but it can be used once in a while.
What detergent is best for removing hair dye? ›When you use a detergent with stain-lifting enzymes like Persil® ProClean® Stain Fighter liquid detergent, you are able to remove hair dye with laundry detergent effectively. Remove any excess hair dye with a tissue or use a blunt knife or spoon to scrape it off.
What shampoo removes hair dye? ›
- Best Gentle Formula: Neutrogena The Anti-Residue Formula. ...
- Best For All Hair Types: Matrix Biolage Normalizing CleanReset Shampoo. ...
- Best Nourishing: Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo. ...
- Best Keratin-Infused Formula: OUAI Detox Shampoo.
“A big trick is always using hot water when you shower, because it's opening up the cuticle and getting that dye to fade quicker,” she says. “Most brands and professionals will recommend cold water to keep the color vibrant, but for fading definitely use warm [or] hot water.”
What hair dye is the hardest to remove? ›“Red is the hardest color to keep lustrous and the hardest color to remove,” she adds.
How does vinegar remove hair dye? ›Most dyes are meant to handle alkaline substances, like soaps and shampoos, but not acidic substances. The acidity of white vinegar will help to remove the dye.
Can apple cider vinegar strip hair color? ›Key Takeaways. Vinegar can remove temporary hair dye without damaging your hair. Though both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar work effectively, many people use apple cider vinegar because of its fragrance. It is a safe technique to remove hair dye, but it may cause scalp irritation if you are allergic to vinegar.
How can I lift my hair color without bleach? ›Apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar are easy and cheap options for lightening your hair. Rinse your hair in vinegar and then rinse it again in cold water to lift color and revitalize dull strands. Top with a gloss or conditioner to seal in moisture—this is crucial if you've had a bleach mishap before.
How do you lighten permanent hair dye that is too dark? ›A lightening or clarifying shampoo can lift the color and help you get the desired result. You can request that your stylist use a shampoo that is designed to lighten your hair. You can also wash your hair with clarifying shampoo in between salon visits safely to lift the color even more.
Can you strip permanent hair color? ›Remove your dye using a color-stripping product from your local beauty store. Rub the product through your hair and let it sit for 20-60 minutes before rinsing it out. For a home remedy, crush 12 vitamin C tablets into an anti-dandruff shampoo and massage the mixture into your hair.
How do you fade dark hair dye? ›Bleeding the color out is the optimal solution providing that you have the right product on hand. A regular or clarifying shampoo would be the best product in this situation, and ideally, you should keep washing it until enough dark dye has bled out of your hair that you're happy with the resulting hue.
How can I make my permanent hair dye fade faster? ›“A big trick is always using hot water when you shower, because it's opening up the cuticle and getting that dye to fade quicker,” she says. “Most brands and professionals will recommend cold water to keep the color vibrant, but for fading definitely use warm [or] hot water.”
Can hydrogen peroxide remove permanent hair dye? ›
Though not completely natural, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed with equal amount of water and apply it to hair to get rid of hair dye. Keep the hydrogen peroxide in hair for 10 minutes for it to work through hair. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Can you mix baking soda and Dawn dish soap? ›Soft scrub — Mix ½ cup baking soda with enough Dawn dish detergent to make a paste. Use to clean sinks, tubs and counters. Rinse and dry. Deep-cleaning scrub — Great for soap scum and mildew.
How can I strip my hair color at home? ›Stripping hair color with baking soda
If you want to use baking soda to lighten your hair, you can make a paste by mixing about a teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of water. Let it sit in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse out.
Your colourist may use bleach or sulfur-based stripping products to lighten your hair back to enable it to be re-dyed safely.
What makes hair dye come out faster? ›Shampooing Too Often After Coloring
Depending on whether your dye is temporary or permanent, your color may last anywhere from 6 to 30 washes. For those who wash their hair multiple times a day or week, this means your hair color may fade faster. The solution is simple – wash your hair less to save your color.
Bleeding the color out is the optimal solution providing that you have the right product on hand. A regular or clarifying shampoo would be the best product in this situation, and ideally, you should keep washing it until enough dark dye has bled out of your hair that you're happy with the resulting hue.
Will baking soda damage hair? ›Baking soda has a pH of 9, which is far higher than that of the scalp. Using a product with such a high pH may harm the hair. Over time, baking soda can strip the natural oil from the hair, lead to breakage, and make the hair fragile.
How do you remove hair dye from years? ›- Use a clarifying shampoo. If you need to remove hair dye fast, reach for a clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoo. ...
- Make a paste with baking soda. ...
- Vinegar rinse. ...
- Lemon juice rinse. ...
- Hydrogen peroxide. ...
- Vitamin C tablets. ...
- Professional help.