You had a fun day in the pool. But then you look in the mirror. Your nice blonde hair has a strange green color. It is a scary moment. This leads to a big question, how to get green out of blonde hair? You want that green color gone fast. The good news is you do not need a costly trip to a salon. You can fix this problem at home with simple tricks.
This guide is here to help you. We will show you the top ways to get that green color out of your hair safely. We will look at some neat tricks using things you have in your kitchen. We will also cover the most key step: how to stop it from happening again. By the end, you will have a clear plan. You will be ready to get your nice blonde hair back.
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Why Does Blonde Hair Turn Green in the First Place?
The first step is to know why this happens. Most people blame the chlorine in the pool. But chlorine is not the real cause. The real cause is something else that is often in pool and well water.
Knowing the real cause will help you know why some home fixes work so well. It is a simple science fact that can save your hair.
Is Chlorine the Real Reason Your Hair is Green?
No, chlorine by itself does not turn your hair green. The real cause is copper. Copper is a metal that is often in the water. The chlorine in the pool mixes with the copper. This makes the copper stick to your hair. This is what makes the green color.
Blonde hair is more open than dark hair. This means it soaks up these copper bits more easily. This is why blondes have this problem more often.
How Does Copper Get into Pool and Well Water?
Copper can get into the water in a few ways.
- Pool Cleaners: Many products used to kill algae in pools have copper in them.
- Old Copper Pipes: If you have an older pool or if your home has old copper pipes, small bits of copper can get into the water.
- Well Water: Well water can sometimes have a lot of minerals, including copper.
So, even if you do not swim in a pool, you can still get green hair from your shower.
What Should You Do Before You Try to Remove the Green?
Before you try a fix, it is key to get ready. A little prep work can make the whole job easier. It is also about making sure you do not harm your hair more.
These simple first steps are very important.
Why Shouldn’t You Panic and Use Harsh Chemicals?
Your first thought might be to use a strong chemical to get the color out. This is a bad idea. Strong chemicals can be very bad for your hair. This is very true for blonde hair, which can be more weak.
The simple, gentle ways in this guide are much safer. They also work very well.
What Simple Supplies Should You Gather for the Job?
The great news is that the best tools for this job are likely in your kitchen. Here are a few things you might want to have ready:
- Ketchup
- Baking soda
- A deep cleaning shampoo
- A good, rich conditioner
- A shower cap
The Ketchup Hack: A Surprising Salon Secret
This might sound crazy, but it is a classic trick. Hair stylists have used it for years. Ketchup can be a very good way to get the green out of your hair. It is a simple and cheap home fix.
The science behind it is simple. It is all about colors.
How to Get Green Out of Blonde Hair with Ketchup?
Think back to the color wheel from art class. Red is the opposite of green. The red color of the ketchup helps to cancel out the green in your hair. Also, the mild acid in the tomatoes helps to break down the copper.
This is a great first way to try. It is very gentle on your hair.
What is the Step-by-Step Ketchup Method?
- Wet Your Hair: Start by making your hair damp with warm water.
- Put on the Ketchup: Take a lot of normal ketchup. Work it into the green parts of your hair. Make sure you cover all the green hair.
- Cover Your Hair: Put on a shower cap or wrap your hair in plastic. This will keep the ketchup from dripping. It will also trap some heat.
- Let It Sit: Let the ketchup sit in your hair for about 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse and Shampoo: After the time is up, rinse the ketchup out very well. Then, wash your hair with a good shampoo and conditioner.
You should see a big change right away.
Does This Method Have Any Downsides?
The main bad side is that it can be a bit messy. And your hair will smell like ketchup for a little while. But a good shampoo will fix that. It is a small price to pay for getting the green out.
The Baking Soda Paste: A Gentle Clarifying Scrub
Baking soda is another great item from your kitchen. It is a great natural cleanser. You can use it to make a simple paste. This paste helps to scrub the green stuff out of your hair.
This is another very cheap and easy DIY fix.
How to Get Green Out of Blonde Hair with Baking Soda?
Baking soda helps to dissolve the copper. It also helps to gently scrub the green stuff off your hair.
This method is like a deep-clean for your hair.
What is the Best Way to Make a Baking Soda Paste?
Making the paste is very simple.
- Take about a half a cup of baking soda. Put it in a small bowl.
- Slowly add a little bit of water.
- Mix it until you have a thick paste. It should feel like a thick frosting.
How to Get Green Out of Blonde Hair by Applying the Paste?
- Get your hair wet.
- Work the baking soda paste into the green parts of your hair.
- Gently rub it in. Be gentle with your hair.
- Let the paste sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse the paste out of your hair very, very well.
- Use a good shampoo and a deep conditioner after. Baking soda can be a bit drying, so a good conditioner is key.
The Power of a Clarifying Shampoo
If you do not want to use a home fix, a clarifying shampoo is a great choice. These are special shampoos made to do a deep clean. They are very good at taking out mineral buildup, like copper.
This is a great product to have if you swim a lot.
How to Get Green Out of Blonde Hair with a Special Shampoo?
A clarifying shampoo has stronger cleaners than a normal shampoo. It is made to take away all the stuff that can build up on your hair. This includes product stuff, chlorine, and minerals like copper.
Using a clarifying shampoo is a key part of how to get green out of blonde hair.
What is the Best Way to Use a Clarifying Shampoo?
You use a clarifying shampoo just like a normal shampoo. But you should let it sit in your hair for a few minutes before you rinse it out. This gives it time to work on the minerals.
These shampoos are very strong. So, you should always use a very good conditioner after. This will put the moisture back into your hair.
How Often Should You Use a Clarifying Shampoo?
A clarifying shampoo is not for every day use. It is too strong for that. You should only use it when you need a deep clean.
If you swim a lot, you might want to use it once a week. If not, using it once a month is a good way to keep your hair free of buildup.
How to Prevent Your Blonde Hair from Turning Green Again
Once you get the green out, you want to be sure it does not come back. Stopping it is the real secret to keeping your blonde hair nice all summer.
A few simple habits can make a huge change.
What Should You Do to Your Hair Before You Get in the Pool?
This is the most key prevention tip. Before you go swimming, you should wet your hair with clean, non-pool water. Then, put on a layer of leave-in conditioner or a hair oil.
Your hair is like a sponge. If you fill it up with clean water and conditioner first, it will not be able to soak up as much of the pool water with copper.
What Should You Do Immediately After You Get Out of the Pool?
As soon as you are done swimming, you should rinse your hair with clean water. This will wash away a lot of the chlorine and copper before it has a chance to do harm.
Do not just let the pool water dry in your hair. A quick rinse is a simple but very good step.
Are There Special Shampoos for Swimmers?
Yes, there are special shampoos made for swimmers. These shampoos are made to take out chlorine and minerals from the hair.
If you swim very often, it might be a good idea to buy one of these products.
What is the Final Verdict on How to Get Green Out of Blonde Hair?
So, how to get green out of blonde hair? The final answer is that you have many simple and good choices. From ketchup to baking soda, your kitchen is full of secret weapons.
The key is to act fast and to be gentle with your hair.
What is the Most Important Thing to Remember?
The most key thing to remember is to always use a good, deep conditioner after any treatment. This will keep your blonde hair healthy and strong. For more on this, you can look at school resources, like this guide on hair care from the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
What is the Best First Step to Take?
The best first step is to try the ketchup method. It works very well and is very gentle.
How Can You Feel Good About Your Hair?
You can feel good by knowing you can fix this common problem yourself. The question of how to get green out of blonde hair is a reminder that sometimes the best fixes are the simplest ones. With these easy tips, you can keep your blonde hair bright and nice all year long.
FAQ – How to Get Green Out of Blonde Hair

Are there gentle home remedies to remove green from blonde hair, and how are they applied?
Yes, remedies like baking soda paste can gently scrub out the green. To use, mix half a cup of baking soda with water until it forms a thick paste, work it into the green areas, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and use conditioner to prevent dryness.
What precautions should I take before swimming to prevent my blonde hair from turning green?
Before swimming, wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to act as a barrier, reducing the amount of copper and other minerals your hair can absorb from pool or well water.
What is the ketchup hack and how does it help remove green tint from blonde hair?
The ketchup hack involves applying ketchup, which contains red color that cancels out green tones due to color theory, to your hair. The mild acid in tomatoes helps break down copper, helping to reduce the green tint.
How does copper enter pool and well water, contributing to green hair?
Copper can enter water through the use of copper-based pool cleaners, from old copper pipes, or from minerals in well water, causing the water to contain copper particles that can lead to green hair.
What causes blonde hair to turn green after swimming in a pool?
Blonde hair turns green primarily due to copper in the water, which reacts with chlorine in pools to deposit copper onto the hair, causing a green tint. This is more common in blonde hair because it is more porous.