How to Get Chlorine Out of Your Hair

Co-authored by Frankie Sanderson

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

Chlorine is an essential part of keeping most pools clean, but it can also be rough on your hair. Chlorine can lend a green tint to light hair and will make most hair dry and brittle over time. Getting chlorine out of your hair is easy, though. You can rinse it out in your shower using a chlorine-removal product or a home treatment like apple cider vinegar or baking soda.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Chlorine with Swim Products

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1
Shampoo your hair with a swim shampoo. Swim shampoos, or chlorine removal shampoos, are formulated specifically to help remove chlorine and any resulting green tint. Wash your hair thoroughly with a swim shampoo as soon as possible after you get out of the pool. Be sure to work the shampoo into a lather and let it sit for a minute before rinsing it completely.^{[1]
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- If you have color-treated hair, you can always substitute a swim shampoo for a color-safe clarifying shampoo.
- These shampoos are available at most pharmacies, beauty and haircare stores, and online retailers.
- Using a conditioner after shampoo will help you work out any tangles and keep your hair smooth.
2
Spritz on a chlorine-removal spray instead of buying new shampoo. Some athletics stores and swim stores sell chlorine removal sprays. These are used in the shower after you rinse your hair, but before you shampoo. Hold the bottle about half an arm’s length from your head, and mist all your hair with the spray. Then, use your regular shampoo to rinse the spray away.^{[2]
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- These sprays work by neutralizing the chlorine in your hair to prevent damage and irritation.
- Most chlorine-removal sprays are formulated to work on both hair and skin, so you can use it to remove chlorine irritation and smell on your skin, too.
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3
Try a specialty treatment if you regularly expose your hair to chlorine. Some companies that make swim shampoos also make specialty treatments. These often come as packets of a powder-like treatment that you massage into your hair in the shower. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes before washing it out.
- These treatments can be used instead of or in addition to other chlorine-removal products.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Your Hair at Home

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1
Make a paste using baking soda. Mix a ¼ cup (32 g) to ½ cup (64 g) of baking soda with enough water to form a runny paste. Apply the paste to damp hair and massage it from your scalp to your ends. Then, rinse out the paste using clean water and shampoo.^{[3]
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- The baking soda will help neutralize the chlorine and lift out any green color the chlorine deposited. Your hair will feel dry after using baking soda, so follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.
- If you have very light hair, you may have to repeat this process a few times to fully lift any residual green color.
2
Wash your hair with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can work like a clarifying shampoo after you swim. Simply pour about a ¼ cup (about 60 ml) of apple cider vinegar over your head while showering. Use your fingers to work it from your scalp to your tips. Then, rinse the vinegar away with clean, warm water.
- There is no need to shampoo after using vinegar. If the smell of the vinegar lingers, follow up by using conditioner to get rid of the odor if it bothers you.
- Apple cider vinegar can be stripping, so it’s not generally advisable to use this treatment intermittently. If you swim regularly, it may be worth investing in a chlorine-removal product.
3
Try tomato product like tomato paste, ketchup, or tomato juice. Apply a thin layer of your tomato product to damp hair, working from the scalp to the ends. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing your hair thoroughly in the shower. Once the water rinses clear, shampoo your hair and follow up with your regular hair care routine. ^{[4]
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- Use a wide-toothed comb to help evenly distribute the product through your hair.
- The red color of tomato products is thought to be particularly helpful for neutralizing the green coloring chlorine can leave behind on lighter hair.
4
Add lemon juice to club soda to create a citrus rinse. In a small bowl, mix the juice from one lemon with a splash of club soda.Pour this over damp or dry hair, and comb through with a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute the product. Let the mixture sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse your hair thoroughly in the shower. Follow the rinse with your regular shampoo. ^{[5]
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- You can also add the treatment to a spray bottle and spray it over your hair.
- Do not try this treatment if you have a dry, cracked, irritated, or flaky scalp.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Future Chlorine Buildup

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1
Wear a swim cap. If you plan to swim a lot, a good swim cap is a worthwhile investment. Look for a silicone swim cap that is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable on your head. A good cap shouldn’t snag your hair or cause headaches from wear.^{[6]
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- To get the most from your cap, be sure that all your hair is tucked underneath it before you enter the pool.
2
Soak your hair with clean water. Before you get in the pool, wet your hair completely with clean water from the shower. This may minimize the amount of chlorinated water your hair is able to absorb once you get in the pool.^{[7]
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- Many pools have showers in the locker rooms or outside near the swimming area that you can use before and after you swim.
3
Coat your hair with an oil before you swim. Since oil is hydrophobic (water-fearing), it will help repel chlorinated water from your hair. Liberally apply a hair oil from scalp to tip before you swim. To get the most out of the oil, use it under a swim cap.^{[8]
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- If you don’t have a hair oil, you can use olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or jojoba oil.
Even if you don’t take a full shower in the locker room after swimming, at least rinse your hair. This will kickstart the process of removing chlorine and help prevent the long-term buildup of pool chemicals in your hair.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Can coconut oil protect your hair from chlorine?

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

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes. Applying something moisturizing to your hair before getting in a pool can help prevent the absorption of chlorine. Coconut oil or even regular conditioner will work.

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Question

Do you have to wash chlorine out of your hair?

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

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Chlorine is extremely drying and should not be left in hair. However, you can rinse thoroughly and condition to remove it; you do not have to use shampoo.

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Question

How do you remove chlorine from your hair?

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

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can remove normal levels of chlorine from your hair with a thorough rinse and conditioning. If your hair is damaged or the chlorine levels are very high, you may need to shampoo or use baking soda to neutralize it.

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To wash out the chlorine, I put conditioner in and leave it in for 1-2 minutes. Then, I wash the conditioner out and continue with my ordinary shower routine.
Don't go in the pool if the water looks murky. There could be too many chemicals that will get caught in your hair and make it feel gritty.
Wear a swim cap and moisten your hair with a good quality conditioner before getting into the pool to protect your hair.
If you mix baking soda, vinegar, and a little dish soap in your hair, it will become squeaky clean.

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