How To Remove Hair Color With Baking Soda

Hair color is a hit or miss. In case of a mishap or hair color correction, you can remove hair color with baking soda.

It is a natural alternative to harsh chemicals. You don’t have to chop your hair or color it jet black. This simple ingredient can help fade the hair dye naturally. Plus, unlike chemical treatments that are harsh on your hair, baking soda acts as a slightly gentler alternative. Many people have found success with this method, making it a go-to option for those wanting a more natural way to lighten their color without heavy damage. Want to know more? Keep reading to learn how to use baking soda to remove hair color.

A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that baking soda is gentle and may be effective and safe for removing stains (1). While the study is focused on dental health, the stain-removing properties of baking soda may even extend to other uses, such as removing hair color.

Note: These methods can help get rid of semi-permanent hair dyes. However, if you have used permanent hair color and are unhappy with the results, please consult a hair specialist. Also, most of these methods are not backed by scientific evidence. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that they can help remove hair color.

If you want to remove hair color with baking soda, you may use any of the methods mentioned below.

1. Wash Hair With Baking Soda To Remove Hair Color

Baking soda and vinegar are excellent deep cleansing agents (2). Baking soda is mildly alkaline and research suggests that alkaline solutions can penetrate the hair shaft well (3). Therefore, baking soda may help open the hair cuticle, allowing some dye molecules to loosen from the hair shaft. When combined with the cleaning properties of vinegar, this mix may help you get rid of semi-permanent hair dyes to a certain extent. However, it is important to note that it is likely to dry out your hair a little.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 5 drops fragrant essential oil (whichever you prefer)

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

10 minutes

Process

1. Combine two tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of water.
2. Wet your hair and apply this mixture to it.
3. Work the mixture into your hair and leave it in for about 10 minutes.
4. Rinse your hair with water.
5. Combine the vinegar, water, and essential oil in a jug and pour it through your hair as a final rinse.
6. Do not rinse your hair any further.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

Quick Tip

Baking soda and vinegar can be harsh on the hair. Therefore, follow a strict aftercare routine. Oil and condition your hair frequently and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

2. Dish Soap And Baking Soda To Remove Hair Color

Dish soap contains powerful detergents designed to cut through grease and oils. Anecdotal evidence suggests this property may also help strip some color pigments from hair. When combined with the stain-removing properties of baking soda, this method may effectively fade semi-permanent hair color (1).

Note: The dishwashing soap’s harsh detergents may considerably strip color after the first wash, but they are also harsh on hair. Therefore, always oil and condition your hair after using this method.

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• 4 tablespoons anti-dandruff shampoo
• 1 tablespoon dishwashing soap
• Shower cap/Plastic bag

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply the mixture to dry hair until it is completely saturated.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap or a plastic bag and leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes.
4. Wash your hair with warm water.
5. Condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

2-3 consecutive days.

3. Baking Soda And Shampoo To Remove Hair Dye

Anti-dandruff shampoos have strong clarifying properties, which can help strip the color from your hair. In combination with baking soda, it may remove a considerable amount of color without causing as much damage as bleach would.

McGee, a blogger, gently faded her hair color by using a mixture of shampoo and baking soda. She said, “I have noticed adding baking soda had a pretty good impact on removing a little extra color (i).” She only uses a tablespoon or so to reap its benefits. She further adds, “I only used it every other treatment due to the drying effect it has.”

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon anti-dandruff shampoo

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. Combine the baking soda with a strong anti-dandruff shampoo in a bowl.
2. Dampen your hair with hot water and then shampoo your hair with the baking soda mixture.
3. Leave the mixture in for about 20 minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water.
5. Condition your hair well.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

4. Baking Soda And Lemon Juice To Remove Hair Color

Lemon is a natural clarifier. Its juice also contains citric acid, which is a natural bleaching agent with oxidizing properties (4). So, just like bleach, it may help oxidize the dye pigments in your tresses to strip your hair of color. You may use it for bleaching hair or hair lightening. In combination with baking soda, it may help clarify your hair while also fading the color.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons baking soda

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply this mixture to the colored hair only.
3. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash your hair with shampoo and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

5. Baking Soda And Epsom Salt To Remove Hair Color

Using Epsom salt is one of the most effective ways of color stripping from your hair. When combined with baking soda, it may provide gentle physical exfoliation to aid in the dye removal process. However, there is no scientific evidence to back this up.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon Epsom salt
• 1 cup water

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

20 minutes

Process

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Saturate your hair with the mixture and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
3. Shampoo your hair and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

6. Vitamin C And Baking Soda To Remove Hair Color

Using crushed vitamin C supplements is a popular way of stripping hair color. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant and is acidic (5). Due to this, it may help break down and oxidize the dye molecules, particularly in semi-permanent or temporary dyes. However, relevant research is needed to verify this claim. The presence of anti-dandruff shampoo and baking soda in this method may make it all the more effective.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons anti-dandruff shampoo
• 5-10 crushed vitamin C tablets
• 1 tablespoon baking soda

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

30-60 minutes

Process

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth paste.
2. Apply the mixture to damp hair until it is completely saturated.
3. Leave it on for about 30-60 minutes.
4. Wash off and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

2-3 consecutive days.

7. Baking Soda And Peroxide To Remove Hair Color

Peroxide is a bleaching agent often used in dental practices (6). This property may also extend to other uses, like removing hair color. So, hydrogen peroxide may help strip most of the dye’s color out of your hair, especially when combined with the stain-removing properties of baking soda (1). While this process can dry out your hair, it is not as harsh as using strong hair bleach.

You Will Need

• 6 tablespoons baking soda
• 3 tablespoons 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tablespoon conditioner
• Shower cap

Prep Time

2 minutes

Processing Time

1 hour

Process

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it on for about 60 minutes.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap.
4. Wash your hair with clarifying shampoo and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

1-2 times a week.

Quick Tip

Excess use of baking soda may dry out your hair. Therefore, use it moderately.

While baking soda can be an effective natural remedy for removing hair color, it is important to take some precautions to ensure you do not damage your hair in the process. Scroll down to learn some simple precautionary tips.

Safety Precautions For Using Baking Soda To Remove Hair Color

Here are some simple and easy tips:

• Always dilute the baking soda with water before applying it to your head.
• Always do a patch test at the back of your head before completely applying baking soda to your scalp. This helps to check for any allergic reactions or skin sensitivities.
• Baking soda can be drying, so do not overuse it. Overuse can lead to brittle, dry hair that is prone to breakage.
• Avoid rubbing the baking soda on your hair and scalp in a harsh manner, as this may lead to minor cuts and scrapes and hair breakage.
• If you are concerned about the health of your hair or unsure how baking soda will affect it, it is always a good idea to consult with a hairstylist or professional.

After you remove hair color with baking soda, it is also essential to take extra care of your hair to restore moisture and maintain its health. Here are some post-treatment hair care tips you can follow:

• Use a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo designed to retain moisture and not further strip your hair.
• Apply a moisturizing hair mask to replenish moisture and nourish your hair. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes to allow your hair to absorb the moisture.
• After rinsing out the mask, apply a leave-in conditioner to keep hair hydrated and protected.
• Minimize the use of blow dryers, flat irons, or curling irons for a week or two to prevent heat damage. Let your hair air-dry to avoid additional stress.
• If you must use heat, always apply a heat protectant to shield your hair from the damaging effects.
• Use a UV protectant spray or wear a hat when spending time outdoors in the sun to prevent further damage.
• Wait at least 3-4 weeks before re-coloring or chemically treating your hair to give it time to recover.

Follow these tips to use baking soda safely without compromising the health of your hair. You can use baking soda in combination with other ingredients to remove hair color. But can it damage your hair? Find out in the next section.

Can Baking Soda Damage Your Hair?

Baking soda is a great ingredient with multiple uses. But one should exercise caution when using it as its high alkaline content may damage your hair and scalp in the following ways:

• Strip The Natural Oils: It is abrasive and may remove the natural scalp oils, resulting in dry and brittle hair.
• Affect Hair Health: The gritty texture of baking soda can damage your hair’s protective outer layer, making it more prone to breakage.
• Cause Scalp Irritation: Baking soda can throw off your scalp’s pH balance, causing dryness, itching, and irritation.

If your hair is already dry and brittle, avoid using baking soda altogether to protect your hair from further damage.

Apart from baking soda and the remedies mentioned above, you may also opt for other methods for hair color removal. Let us see how they compare in the next section.

Baking Soda Vs. Other Hair Color Removal Methods

Hair color removers and professional treatments are two popular dye removal methods you may opt for if home remedies do not work. Here is how they compare to the baking soda treatments mentioned above:

• Unlike baking soda, which is a home remedy, the other two treatments are specifically designed to remove hair dye.
• Baking soda is inexpensive but may require multiple uses that may damage your hair.
• DIY hair color removers get the job done at a moderate cost. While they may not cause much damage, they may still be harsh on hair, especially if multiple uses are required.
• Professional treatments are more expensive but provide quicker and more reliable results. They often include conditioning or moisturizing steps to minimize damage.

Infographic: 4 Ways To Remove Hair Color With Baking Soda

The wrong hair color can ruin your look. If you want to get rid of your hair color without going to the salon, you can use a simple ingredient like baking soda. We have rounded up the 4 best ways to remove dye from your hair with the help of baking soda. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can baking soda remove all types of hair color?

Baking soda works best for fading semi-permanent hair colors. However, it may not completely remove permanent dyes, especially darker shades. You may need to use it a few times or pair it with other methods to get effective results.

What happens if baking soda residue remains in the hair?

Baking soda residue in hair may cause an itchy, dry, and sensitive scalp. Therefore, it is best to clean the hair thoroughly after using baking soda.

Can baking soda cause hair breakage?

Regular use of baking soda may strip off the natural oils from your hair and make the hair brittle. It may cause hair breakage and hair damage. Therefore, if you are using baking soda for hair, it’s important to use it properly, in adequate amounts, and follow other safety precautions.

Are there any alternatives to using baking soda to remove hair color?

Yes. There are several alternatives to baking soda to remove hair color. You may use clarifying shampoo or hot oil treatment to remove hair color. Washing your hair frequently can fade out the color faster. You may also use vinegar to remove hair dye by mixing equal parts hot water and vinegar and cooling it down before using it as a wash.

Can baking soda be used to remove hair color from all hair types?

While it can be used to remove hair color from many hair types, it may not be suitable for everyone. People with dry, or fine hair should exercise caution when using baking soda, as it can strip natural oils from the hair and cause breakage. Also, those with sensitive scalps may experience irritation.

Illustration: How To Remove Hair Color With Baking Soda

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Looking to change your hair color? Watch this informative video to know how to effortlessly remove hair dye using baking soda in combination with simple ingredients.

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Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner

       

Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam. With over three years of experience writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle, she is also a certified skin care coach.

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