How to Remove Blonde Hair Dye

Co-authored by April Ferri

Last Updated: April 15, 2024

If you dislike the look of your hair after dyeing it blonde, there are many ways to remove the color. You can try store bought products, such as a color remover. You can also try household products like dish soap. If the color is not coming out, stop by a local salon to get professional help.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Store-Bought Products

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1
Try a clarifying shampoo. If you dyed your hair blonde but you don't like the exact shade, try using a clarifying shampoo to remove some of the toner from your hair. Just wash your hair with the clarifying shampoo like you would your normal shampoo.^{[1]
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Expert Source

April Ferri
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.}
2
Go for a color remover. You can buy hair color remover at most drug stores and beauty supply stores. You can follow the directions on the bottle to figure out to use it to remove color from your hair. Usually, you apply remover to your hair and let it sit for a specific timeframe before rinsing it out.
- Make sure to get the right color remover for your hair type. Color removers are sold for permanent dye as well as temporary dye.
- Color removers are aggressive, so this might be a good option if you have a very gold or purple tone to your blonde hair.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  April Ferri
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.}
- If a color remover does not work right away, try it again. Very strong colors may take a couple rounds to remove. Some hair color removers are safe to use more than once, such as the Pravana Artificial Hair Color Extractor.
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Some people find that anti-dandruff shampoo actually helps remove color. It is usually far less costly than color removal products. Simply wash your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo and see if any color is removed. This tends to work better if you act fast. If the color has time to set in, it will be harder to remove.
4
Use vitamin C tablets. You can pick up vitamin C tablets at any drugstore. You should crush two tablets and mix them into your current shampoo or an anti-dandruff shampoo. Then, wash your hair as you normally would. You may notice some of the color fading.^{[3]
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- This does not work with all types of dye and hair colors. You may have to try another method if vitamin C does not work for you.
5
Invest in Epsom salt. You can use this method in the bath. Sprinkle a generous amount of Epsom salt into the water and add some baking soda. Then, take a bath and soak your hair until you notice color fading.^{[4]
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- This only works with semi-permanent hair colors. If you colored your hair using permanent dye, you will have to try another method.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Fading Color with Household Products

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Try baking soda. Baking soda may be able to naturally remove your hair color, saving you from using a lot of chemicals. Mix equal parts baking soda and shampoo. Wash your hair with this mixture each day until the color fades.^{[5]
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- Usually, a one-to-one mixture works fine. However, if you have very thick hair, try adding slightly more baking soda than shampoo.
2
Treat your hair with vinegar. Vinegar can strip color from hair. To use vinegar, opt for plain white vinegar. Use a one to one ratio of warm water and vinegar. Soak your hair in the mixture and then wrap your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag. Let the mixture sit in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse your hair. The color should be reduced.^{[6]
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- You may have to repeat this method several times to completely remove unwanted hair dye.
- Vinegar has a strong smell, so you may want to shampoo and condition your hair after this treatment.
EXPERT TIP

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

Laura Martin, a licensed cosmetologist, notes: "Vinegar can fade semi-permanent color and some natural dyes, but it will not have much effect on permanent hair color."
Try washing your hair with any brand of dish soap instead of your regular shampoo. The dish soap may work to strip your hair of dye. You may have to wash your hair with dish soap for a few days before you see the results you want.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Seeking Professional Help

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Get your hair bleached. Bleaching is a very powerful method of removing hair color. However, because bleach is harsh on hair, only bleach if you've tried other methods. You should also get bleaching done at a salon by a professional. Usually, you will have to add hair dye over the bleach to return to your natural hair color.
- Another less harsh option is to do a bleach wash, which is when you mix shampoo with bleach.
2
Get a hot oil treatment. Some methods of hair removal can be harsh on your hair, leaving it dry. If you've removed the dye yourself, but your hair feels brittle, get a hot oil treatment at your local salon. This can help revitalize your hair.^{[8]
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- If hey don't offer hot oil treatments at your salon, then ask for a deep conditioning treatment.
3
Have your hair re-dyed. If all else fails, see a stylist. They can remove the hair dye in a professional setting and re-dye it brown or red if you want. However, this is often costly. It makes sense to attempt to remove the dye yourself first before going to a salon for help.
- Typically when you dye your hair blonde, you're actually removing the pigment. That means you can't just remove the blonde dye to get back to your natural color. Dyeing your hair back to its original color might be your only option.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  April Ferri
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.}

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How do I get rid of blonde hair color?

April Ferri
Professional Hair Stylist
April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.

April Ferri

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Usually when you dye your hair blonde, you're removing the pigment from your hair. In that case, you can't really remove that lightness from your hair. However, if you don't like the tone, like it's too orange or purple, you can use a stringent like a clarifying shampoo, or you might use something more aggressive like a color remover.

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Question

Can baking soda remove hair dye?

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, baking soda can remove or fade some colors. It is most effective on removing toners and semi-permanent dyes.

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Question

Can I strip my hair extensions?

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 strip your extensions if they are made from 100% human hair. However, extensions are treated with chemicals that make them more difficult to lighten so you may get a subtler result than you would on your own hair.

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Tips

You can also try to get rid of hair dye by getting more sun exposure. Sun may help fade hair dye over time.

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Swimming in a chlorinated pool could help hair dye fade faster.

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