4 Ways To Get Green Out Of Blonde Hair - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get Green out of Blonde Hair PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Removing Green with Vinegar and Baking Soda 2 Removing Green with Tomato Juice 3 Removing Green with Professional Shampoos 4 Preventing Green Hair + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Article Summary Co-authored by Candice Ayers

Last Updated: July 12, 2025 Approved

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This 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. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 751,536 times.

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

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Removing Green with Vinegar and Baking Soda

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  1. Step 1 Wash your hair. 1 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.
  2. Step 2 Make the vinegar mixture. 2 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
  3. Step 3 Soak your hair. 3 Soak your hair. In the bowl filled with the vinegar mixture, soak your hair for about two minutes.
  4. Get Green out of Blonde Hair Step 4.jpeg 4 Add 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.
  5. Step 5 Dry your hair. 5 Dry your hair. Take your hair out and lay it on a dry towel. Pat it dry until it isn't dripping.
  6. Step 6 Rinse your hair. 6 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.
  7. Step 7 Add hydrogen peroxide. 7 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.
  8. Step 8 Check out the results. 8 Check out the results. If your hair is still green after using hydrogen peroxide, then you may just have to let it wear out.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Removing Green with Tomato Juice

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  1. Step 1 Wash your hair with shampoo. 1 Wash your hair with shampoo. This will help lessen the green to begin with, but it is also important to proceed with clean hair.
  2. Step 2 Wash your hair with tomato juice. 2 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]
  3. Step 3 Rinse your hair. 3 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.
  4. Step 4 Let your hair dry. 4 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.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Removing Green with Professional Shampoos

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  1. Get Green out of Blonde Hair Step 13.jpeg 1 Purchase 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.[2]
    • Try Malibu C Swimmers shampoo and conditioner Sally Beauty's Ion Swimmer's shampoo.[3]
    • The main ingredients to look for in the shampoo you choose are aloe, Vitamin E, and EDTA (Edetic Acid).[4] These will help condition and strengthen your hair and fight the discoloration.
  2. Step 2 Wash your hair with the professional clarifying shampoo. 2 Wash your hair with the professional clarifying shampoo. Follow the instructions on the bottle.[5] [6]
    • 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.
  3. Step 3 Rinse your hair. 3 Rinse your hair. Rinse the special shampoo out of your hair completely.[7]
  4. Step 4 Let your hair dry. 4 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.
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Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Green Hair

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  1. Get Green out of Blonde Hair Step 17.jpeg 1 Wet 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.[8]
  2. Get Green out of Blonde Hair Step 18.jpeg 2 Condition 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.[9]
  3. Step 3 Wear a swim cap. 3 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

    Laura Martin

    Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. Laura Martin Laura MartinLicensed Cosmetologist
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Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question What causes blonde hair to turn green? Laura Martin Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. Laura Martin Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Answer Blonde 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 15
  • Question What color cancels out green hair? Laura Martin Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University. Laura Martin Laura Martin Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Answer Red 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 8
  • Question What other products do you recommend for removing chlorine green from blonde hair? Candice Ayers Candice Ayers Hairstylist 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. Candice Ayers Candice Ayers Hairstylist Expert Answer I 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • Keep out of the pool while you are working on getting the green out. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • Lemon juice may also help get out the green. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • Make sure to wash your hair very well each time after swimming. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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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

  1. http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2013/09/restoring-chlorine-green-pool-hair-to.html
  2. Candice Ayers. Hairstylist. Expert Interview
  3. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/jun/26/best-buys-cures-summertime-green/
  4. http://www.sallybeauty.com/swimmers-shampoo/ION74,default,pd.html
  5. Candice Ayers. Hairstylist. Expert Interview
  6. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/jun/26/best-buys-cures-summertime-green/
  7. Candice Ayers. Hairstylist. Expert Interview
  8. http://www.today.com/style/chlorine-hair-prevent-green-hair-pool-I543040
  9. http://www.today.com/style/chlorine-hair-prevent-green-hair-pool-I543040

About This Article

Candice Ayers Co-authored by: Candice Ayers Hairstylist This 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. This article has been viewed 751,536 times. 4 votes - 55% Co-authors: 26 Updated: July 12, 2025 Views: 751,536 Categories: Fixing Hair Problems Article SummaryX

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! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Lynda Pressley

    Lynda Pressley

    Jul 2, 2019

    "I have very light blonde hair (dyed). The nape area turned green after swimming. I used the vinegar, baking soda..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Candice Ayers Co-authored by: Candice Ayers Hairstylist 4 votes - 55% Click a star to vote 55% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 26 Updated: July 12, 2025 Views: 751,536 Lynda Pressley

Lynda Pressley

Jul 2, 2019

"I have very light blonde hair (dyed). The nape area turned green after swimming. I used the vinegar, baking soda..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Nov 17, 2016

"Just knowing household things can be used so I don't have to go to town with green hair to look for other..." more Dinah Farmer

Dinah Farmer

Jan 26, 2020

"All the tips did help at getting most of the green out of my hair. " Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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Tag » How To Remove Green Tones From Hair