How To Get Orange Out Of Hair At Home Naturally

Can you get orange out of your hair at home naturally? Yes, several natural methods can help lift unwanted orange tones from your hair. These methods often involve common household ingredients and are generally gentler than chemical treatments.

Dealing with an unexpected orange tint in your hair can be frustrating, especially after a DIY coloring session or a salon bleach job gone slightly awry. Fortunately, you don’t always need harsh chemicals to correct it. Nature offers a surprising array of effective solutions that can help neutralize those brassy, orange hues and restore your desired shade. This guide will explore various DIY orange hair removal techniques using readily available ingredients. We’ll delve into the science behind why these methods work, how to prepare them, and the best practices for safe and successful application. Get ready to discover how to tackle orange hair at home, naturally!

Deciphering Why Hair Turns Orange

Before we dive into solutions, it’s helpful to grasp why hair often turns orange. Hair color isn’t a single pigment; it’s a complex mix of underlying tones that become visible depending on how much pigment has been removed.

Natural Hair Pigmentation: All hair has underlying pigments. When hair is lightened (bleached or dyed blonde), the natural pigments are exposed. Darker hair has more of the darker eumelanin pigments (black and brown), while lighter hair has more pheomelanin pigments (red and yellow).
The Bleaching Process: Bleaching works by opening the hair cuticle and breaking down melanin. As melanin is removed, the hair goes through stages: black, brown, red, orange, yellow, and finally, pale yellow. If the hair is lifted to an orange stage and then colored, or if the toner used to cancel out warmth fades, the orange can reappear.
Porosity and Uneven Lifting: Hair porosity affects how evenly bleach lifts color. More porous hair might lift unevenly, leading to patches of orange.
Mineral Buildup: Hard water and certain hair products can leave mineral deposits on the hair, sometimes giving it a brassy or orangey appearance.

Natural Solutions for Orange Hair

Many natural ingredients possess properties that can help lift or neutralize orange tones. These work by slightly lifting the hair cuticle, gently lifting pigment, or using acidic properties to counteract warmth.

The Power of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant and is acidic. This acidity can help to slightly open the hair cuticle and lift some of the unwanted orange pigment. It’s a popular ingredient in many natural hair color corrector treatments.

Vitamin C Hair Mask

A vitamin c hair mask is a fantastic way to combat orange tones. It’s gentle and can leave your hair feeling softer.

What you’ll need:

A generous amount of crushed vitamin c tablets for hair (or pure ascorbic acid powder). The amount depends on your hair length and thickness. For medium-length hair, start with about 10-15 crushed tablets (around 1000mg each).
Your regular shampoo or a sulfate-free conditioner.
A bowl for mixing.

How to prepare and use:

Crush the Tablets: Ensure the vitamin C tablets are finely crushed into a powder. A coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle works well.
Mix the Paste: In a bowl, combine the vitamin C powder with enough of your shampoo or conditioner to create a thick, paste-like consistency. You want it to be spreadable but not runny.
Apply to Hair: Wash your hair with your regular shampoo to remove any product buildup. Gently towel dry your hair so it’s damp, not soaking wet.
Apply the Mask: Evenly distribute the vitamin C mixture through your hair, focusing on the orange areas.
Cover and Wait: Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap. The heat trapped inside helps the mask work better. Leave it on for 30-60 minutes.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair with lukewarm water until all the mask is gone.
Condition: Follow up with a good conditioner to restore moisture, as the acidity can sometimes be drying.

Tips for Vitamin C Mask:

Patch Test: Always do a strand test first to see how your hair reacts.
Frequency: You might need to repeat this treatment a few times, with a few days in between, to achieve the desired results.
Moisture: This treatment can be drying, so deep conditioning afterward is crucial.

Vitamin C Hair Rinse

For a less intense treatment, a lemon juice hair rinse can also help. Lemon juice is naturally acidic and contains vitamin C.

What you’ll need:

Juice of 2-3 fresh lemons.
Water (about 2 cups).

How to prepare and use:

Juice the Lemons: Squeeze the juice from fresh lemons. Strain out any pulp or seeds.
Mix with Water: Dilute the lemon juice with water. It’s important to dilute it, as straight lemon juice can be too harsh.
Apply After Washing: After shampooing and rinsing your hair, pour the lemon juice mixture over your hair, ensuring it’s well-coated.
Leave In or Rinse Out: You can choose to leave the rinse in for a subtle effect, or rinse it out with cool water after 5-10 minutes.
Condition: Always follow with a conditioner.

Caution with Lemon Juice: Lemon juice can lighten hair further, especially with sun exposure. If you’re not looking to lighten your hair, be sure to rinse it out thoroughly and avoid prolonged sun exposure after application.

The Gentle Acidity of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is another acidic ingredient that can help clarify hair and neutralize brassy tones. An apple cider vinegar rinse can also help restore hair’s pH balance.

What you’ll need:

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar.
4 parts Water.

How to prepare and use:

Mix: Combine ACV and water in a spray bottle or a pitcher.
Apply After Washing: After shampooing and rinsing your hair, apply the ACV mixture generously, making sure to saturate the orange sections.
Leave or Rinse: You can leave it in for a subtle clarifying effect or rinse it out with cool water after 5-10 minutes.
Condition: Always follow with a conditioner.

Benefits of ACV Rinse: ACV can help remove product buildup, which can sometimes contribute to dullness and brassiness, and its acidity can help to close the cuticle, making hair appear shinier.

The Gentle Abrasive Power of Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and alkaline substance that can help lift color. A baking soda paste is a popular DIY orange hair removal method.

What you’ll need:

Baking soda.
Water or your regular shampoo.
A bowl.

How to prepare and use:

Make the Paste: Mix baking soda with just enough water or shampoo to form a thick paste.
Apply to Damp Hair: Apply the paste to your damp, towel-dried hair, focusing on the orange areas.
Let it Sit: Leave the paste on for 15-30 minutes.
Rinse and Condition: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Follow with a good conditioner to rehydrate your hair.

Important Note on Baking Soda: Baking soda is alkaline, which can be drying and potentially damaging if used too frequently or left on for too long. It’s essential to follow up with a deep conditioning treatment.

Clarifying Shampoo: A More Direct Approach

While not strictly “natural” in the sense of being a food item, a good clarifying shampoo is a highly effective tool for removing unwanted pigment. These shampoos are designed to strip away product buildup, chlorine, and mineral deposits, and they can also help lift semi-permanent or temporary color dyes, including the orange tones.

How to use clarifying shampoo:

Wet Hair: Thoroughly wet your hair.
Apply Shampoo: Apply a generous amount of clarifying shampoo to your hair, working it into a lather.
Focus on Orange Areas: Concentrate on the areas of your hair that have the unwanted orange color.
Leave On (Briefly): Follow the product instructions. Some clarifying shampoos require you to leave them on for a few minutes.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair completely with cool water.
Condition Deeply: Clarifying shampoos can strip natural oils, so it’s crucial to follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask to restore moisture and prevent dryness.

When to Use Clarifying Shampoo: Use clarifying shampoo sparingly, perhaps once every week or two, as overuse can lead to dryness and damage. It’s a good first line of defense if other natural methods aren’t sufficient.

The Gentle Lifting of Dish Soap

This is a more potent method and should be used with caution. Dish soap hair wash can effectively strip color because it’s designed to cut through grease and oil, which can also help lift artificial pigment from the hair.

What you’ll need:

A small amount of mild dish soap (like Dawn).
Your regular shampoo.

How to prepare and use:

Mix: Mix a small amount of dish soap with your regular shampoo. A 1:4 ratio of dish soap to shampoo is a good starting point.
Wash Hair: Wash your hair with this mixture, lathering well.
Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Condition Extensively: Follow up immediately with a very rich, hydrating conditioner or a deep conditioning mask. Leave the conditioner on for at least 10-15 minutes.

Caution with Dish Soap: Dish soap is extremely stripping and can leave your hair very dry and brittle. Use this method as a last resort and always follow with intensive moisturizing treatments. It’s best to use this only on the orange sections if possible.

The Nourishing Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

While not a color remover itself, a coconut oil hair treatment is essential before and after using any of the more stripping methods mentioned above. Coconut oil can help to moisturize and protect the hair shaft.

How to use Coconut Oil:

Apply: Warm a small amount of coconut oil between your hands and apply it to dry hair, focusing on the ends.
Leave In: You can leave it on for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for a deep treatment.
Wash Out: Wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo (you might need to shampoo twice to remove all the oil) and then condition as usual.

When to use Coconut Oil: Apply coconut oil before attempting any color-lifting treatments to create a protective barrier. After treatment, a deep conditioning with coconut oil is vital to replenish lost moisture.

Putting it all Together: A Step-by-Step Approach

When tackling orange hair at home naturally, it’s best to start with the gentlest methods and gradually move to more potent ones if needed.

Step 1: Assess the Orange

Is it a light brassy orange or a deep, vibrant orange? This will determine how aggressive you need to be.

Step 2: Start Gentle

Option A (Mild Brassiness): Try an apple cider vinegar rinse or a lemon juice hair rinse. These are less likely to cause damage and can be done more frequently.
Option B (More Noticeable Orange): A vitamin c hair mask is a good next step. It’s effective yet relatively gentle.

Step 3: If Needed, Increase Intensity

Option C (Stubborn Orange): If the vitamin C mask didn’t do enough, you could try a baking soda paste. Remember to condition well afterward.
Option D (Last Resort): If all else fails and the orange is persistent, a dish soap hair wash (used cautiously) might be your final option before considering professional help. This should be followed by intensive moisturizing.

Step 4: Deep Condition and Maintain

After any color-lifting treatment, your hair will need extra care. Use a deep conditioner, a coconut oil hair treatment, or a hydrating hair mask to restore moisture and strength.
Use color-depositing purple or blue shampoos and conditioners (depending on the underlying tone you want to neutralize) to maintain your corrected color. Purple cancels yellow, and blue cancels orange.

Table: Natural Orange Hair Removal Methods Compared

Method	Primary Ingredient	Mechanism	Intensity	Best For	Precautions
Vitamin C Mask	Vitamin C Tablets	Acidic to lift pigment	Moderate	Light to medium orange tones	Can be drying; requires thorough rinsing and conditioning.
Lemon Juice Rinse	Lemon Juice	Acidic to lift pigment	Mild	Light brassy tones	Can lighten hair further; use diluted; avoid sun exposure afterward.
ACV Rinse	Apple Cider Vinegar	Acidic to clarify and balance pH	Mild	Brassy tones, product buildup	Can be drying; requires dilution and conditioning.
Baking Soda Paste	Baking Soda	Mild abrasive to lift pigment	Moderate to High	Stubborn orange tones	Can be drying and stripping; requires immediate and deep conditioning.
Clarifying Shampoo	Sulfates (detergents)	Strips artificial color and buildup	High	Persistent orange, dye buildup	Strips natural oils; use sparingly and follow with intense conditioning.
Dish Soap Wash	Detergents	Highly stripping of oils and pigments	Very High	Last resort for very stubborn orange tones	Extremely drying and damaging; requires extensive conditioning and moisture.
Coconut Oil Treat	Coconut Oil	Moisturizes and protects hair shaft	N/A (Supportive)	Before/after stripping treatments	Can weigh down fine hair if too much is used; requires thorough washing.

Important Considerations for DIY Hair Color Correction

Hair Type and Condition: Your hair’s porosity, thickness, and current condition will influence how it reacts to these treatments. Damaged or fine hair might be more susceptible to dryness or breakage.
Strand Test: Always, always perform a strand test on a small, hidden section of your hair before applying any treatment to your entire head. This will show you how your hair will react and help you gauge the effectiveness and potential side effects.
Patience is Key: Natural methods often require multiple applications over several days or weeks to achieve significant results. Don’t expect overnight miracles.
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture: All these methods, especially the more potent ones, can strip your hair of its natural oils. Prioritize deep conditioning treatments, hair masks, and leave-in conditioners.
When to Seek Professional Help: If your hair is severely orange, if you’ve tried several natural methods with no success, or if you’re concerned about damaging your hair, it’s best to consult a professional hairstylist. They have access to stronger, more targeted products and the expertise to correct color issues safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How long should I leave a vitamin C mask on my hair?
A1: For a vitamin c hair mask, it’s generally recommended to leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes. Covering your hair with a shower cap can help the mask penetrate better.

Q2: Can lemon juice damage my hair?
A2: Yes, lemon juice hair rinse can potentially damage or dry out your hair, especially if used frequently or without dilution. It can also lighten your hair, particularly with sun exposure. Always dilute lemon juice and follow with a good conditioner.

Q3: How often can I use baking soda on my hair?
A3: A baking soda paste is quite potent. It’s best to use it sparingly, perhaps once every 1-2 weeks, and always follow with a deep conditioning treatment. Overuse can lead to dryness and breakage.

Q4: Will a clarifying shampoo remove permanent orange hair dye?
A4: Clarifying shampoo is most effective at removing semi-permanent dyes, temporary color, and product buildup. While it might slightly lighten permanent orange dye, it’s unlikely to remove it entirely.

Q5: Can I use dish soap to remove orange from my hair?
A5: Yes, a dish soap hair wash can strip color, but it’s very harsh and extremely drying. It should be considered a last resort and always followed by intensive conditioning.

Q6: Are these methods permanent or temporary?
A6: These natural methods are generally temporary or semi-permanent. They work by lifting or neutralizing pigment. The underlying hair color or any permanent dye will still be present. To maintain the corrected color, you might need to repeat treatments or use color-depositing products.

Q7: What’s the best way to moisturize my hair after a color correction treatment?
A7: A deep conditioner, a coconut oil hair treatment, or a mask rich in natural oils like shea butter or argan oil will help restore moisture. Leave these treatments on for at least 10-15 minutes, or longer for deeper hydration.

Q8: How do I know if I need a purple or blue shampoo?
A8: Purple shampoos are designed to neutralize yellow tones. Blue shampoos are designed to neutralize orange tones. If your hair has a significant orange tint, a blue shampoo or conditioner will be more effective than a purple one.

By understanding the causes of orange hair and employing these natural remedies with care and patience, you can effectively manage and correct unwanted orange tones in your hair at home, achieving a more desirable and balanced color. Remember to always prioritize your hair’s health by conditioning and moisturizing thoroughly after any treatment.