How to remove red hair dye with baking soda

Hair color is a hit or miss. In case of a mishap, you can remove hair color with baking soda. It is a natural alternative to harsher chemicals. You don’t have to chop your hair or color it jet black. This simple ingredient can help fade the hair dye naturally. Want to know more? Keep reading to learn how to use baking soda to remove hair color.

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Note: These methods will help fade semi-permanent hair colors. 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.

1. Wash Hair With Baking Soda To Remove Hair Color

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Baking soda and vinegar are excellent cleansing agents (1). This mix is likely to dry out your hair a little, but it will also help fade your hair color to a certain extent.

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.

StyleCraze Says

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

This method effectively fades semi-permanent hair color. The dishwashing soap’s harsh detergents will considerably strip color after the first wash.

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

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

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

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Lemon has strong bleaching properties, which will help strip your hair of color. In combination with baking soda, it will 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 parts of your hair.
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 stripping color from your hair. 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. The presence of anti-dandruff shampoo and baking soda in this method makes 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

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Peroxide is a bleaching agent that can strip most of the dye’s color out of your hair. 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 shampoo and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

1-2 times a week.

StyleCraze Says

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

You can easily remove hair color with baking soda in case of a mishap. Semi-permanent hair colors can be removed with baking soda especially easily. It is an effective alternative to many harsh chemicals. You can use baking soda as a hair wash by mixing it with apple cider vinegar. It can also be mixed with dish soap, shampoo, lemon juice, Epsom salt, vitamin C, and peroxide to remove hair color. You can easily get rid of an undesirable hair color with these tips. Choose the one that works best for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if baking soda residue remains in the hair?

Baking soda residue in hair may cause an itchy and dry 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 damage.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.

• Zaid, Abdel Naser et al. “Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine 17,1 355.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/

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