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How to stop hair going green in the pool – My ketchup trick ( + video!)

April 30, 2015 By Hair Romance 26 Comments

Hair Romance - how to stop your hair from going green in the pool

Did you know your hair can turn green from swimming in a pool? Well I’ve got a simple (but crazy) trick to remove the green from your hair and turn it back to normal.

Growing up in Australia, we spend a lot of our summers in a swimming pool. Everybody can spot the tell-tale signs of green hair when you’ve been swimming in a chlorinated pool.

Recently I was away on a work trip to Bali with my friends Carly from Smaggle, Kate from Secret Bloggers’ Business and Emily from Bombshell Bay Swimwear. Lucky, right? I know. It was awesome.

Hair Romance - how to stop your hair from going green in the pool

We rented this fabulous villa and spent a lot of time in the pool. Kate and Carly both have dark hair so weren’t that worried about their hair going green.

If you have fair hair, or if your hair is coloured or damaged, you’ll definitely know what I’m talking about.

I told the girls about this nifty trick for getting rid of the green tinge in your hair using ketchup. Yes tomato sauce. Tomato ketchup. Tommy K. Whatever you call it.

Emily volunteered to go to the shops & buy me a bottle so we could film this video tutorial. This is for you, Emily.

How to stop hair going green in the pool – My video tutorial + ketchup trick

Hope you liked the cameo appearances from Kate & Carly at the end of this video too! You can hear all three ladies laughing at me during the filming too. My bikini is from here.

So, why does blonde hair turn green in the pool?

You may think the chlorine is to blame for your hair turning green but that’s only half the story. The real problem is copper.

See there are lots of metals in the water, like copper and magnesium, and these are oxidised by the chlorine and then absorbed into your hair. That greenish tinge is mainly from the copper.

It’s also absorbed into dark hair but it’s much more obvious in lighter or blonde hair. You’ll notice that dark hair usually becomes dull and flat after a lot of swimming.

How can you remove the green from blonde hair?

You need to use a toner to remove the green from your hair. Toners work by neutralising the colour in your hair. You choose a colour from the opposite side of the colour wheel to bring your hair back to neutral.

For example, when blonde hair starts to look yellow or orange, you use a purple or blue toner to stop the brassiness.

When your hair is green, you need to neutralise it with red. But finding a red toner that won’t colour your hair can be difficult.

That’s why tomato ketchup is your quick and easy solution.

I know, it sounds crazy but it works. Put it on burgers, and then put it in your hair.

It works in two ways:

  1. The vinegar in the tomato sauce stops the chemical reaction from occurring.
  2. The red colour neutralises the green to bring your hair back to normal.

There’s no risk of your hair going red, which is a bonus.

Hair Romance - how to stop blonde hair from going green in the pool with ketchup

How to use tomato ketchup on your hair to remove green colour

  1. Rinse your hair and squeeze out the excess water.
  2. Apply ketchup to your hair, concentrating on the ends or wherever it is green.
  3. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes, depending on the depth of the green colour. You can check as you go to see how the colour looks.
  4. Rinse it off and then shampoo and condition as normal.

If one application isn’t enough, you can do it a second time to remove all traces of green.

How to avoid your hair going green in the pool in the first place

  • Always rinse your hair with fresh water before going in the pool. If your hair is saturated, it won’t be able to absorb the pool water.
  • Rinse your hair as soon as you get out of the pool. You can shampoo and condition your hair if you want, but a quick rinse will suffice.
  • If you’re swimming a lot, wear a swimming cap. This will protect your hair.
  • Swimming bonus – Wet your hair and put conditioner on your hair before you put on your cap. Then you can multi-task and do a hair treatment while you exercise!

Alternative solutions for removing the green from your hair

You can also use a clarifying shampoo, or bi-carb soda to remove the green tone from your hair, but it’s often easier just to use ketchup. Wherever you are in the world (even Indonesia) you can find some tomato sauce. Ketchup is also gentler on your hair.

Have you ever had your hair go green in the pool? Did you know about this home remedy?

PS. You might also like these hair care tips for swimmers.

Filed Under: Blondes, Hair Romance, Hair Style Advice, Tutorials

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Comments

  1. Tylene says

    May 23, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    Hi! Do you think tomato sauce would help with hair that is stained green by hair dye? I had the most gorgeous deep teal colour in my hair but I don’t like the way it has faded. I tried a bleach bath (bleach powder and shampoo) and that helped but my hair is still on the lime green side.

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 25, 2019 at 12:08 pm

      It won’t hurt, and could help neutralise the tones without turning your hair red. I’d give it a try! x

      Reply
  2. Lanellsia says

    July 22, 2016 at 3:19 am

    Thank you so much…, Going to try this one!

    Reply
  3. Nancy J Hayes says

    June 6, 2015 at 2:16 am

    As a lifelong Cosmetologist & Cosmetology instructor I have used & recommended this easy,inexpensive method of removing green caused from pool water: put about 15 aspirin(not Tylenol or any ibuprofen product) in a plastic sandwich bag.Seal the bag & crush the aspirin into a lumpy powder.Add abou a tablespoon of water & moosh it until it forms a thick paste.Shampoo & towel-dry hair-do NOT condition.Apply the aspirin paste to hair,being sure to coat every strand.Cover with plasic cap for 10/15 minutes,rinse thoroughly & condition.Works like magic…..

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      June 6, 2015 at 10:44 pm

      Thanks so much for commenting, Nancy! Great tip and will definitely try this next time 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jill says

    May 15, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    Tomato sauce is also amazing for getting a white horses tail white! Strange but true

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 17, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      that is the best and craziest hair tip Jill! Thanks for commenting 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kai says

    May 3, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    Seriously never would have thought of using ketchup that way!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 3, 2015 at 4:52 pm

      it’s weird but it works! 😉 xx

      Reply
  6. Sonia from Sonia Styling says

    May 1, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Just when I thought I couldn’t love you any more… you make this video. GOLD! x

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 3, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      hahahahaha! So silly xx

      Reply
  7. Natalie says

    April 30, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    Haha! It looks like you all had a brilliant time, and I wish I knew about this tip years ago!!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 1, 2015 at 12:34 am

      It’s a funny home remedy that really works! You don’t need to worry as much with pink hair now 🙂 x

      Reply
  8. Q.D says

    April 30, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Any suggestions of a red toner for a natural blonde who is also allergic to tomato (seriously! I don’t like green hair, but I do like breathing)

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 1, 2015 at 12:33 am

      oh no! Definitely don’t use ketchup then. I’d say to try the alternatives mentioned – that is a clarifying shampoo or wash your hair with bi-carb soda. Also follow my steps to avoid the green in the first place. Good luck! xx

      Reply
      • hannah says

        June 5, 2015 at 12:44 pm

        I really don’t recommend bi-carb, it can damage your hair and your scalp. Diluted apple cider vinegar is a much better option.

        Reply
        • Hair Romance says

          June 6, 2015 at 10:48 pm

          Thanks Hannah!

          Reply
    • Leighmurr says

      December 20, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      Another thing that works is putting a few drops of red food dye into a white conditioner with a splash of vinegar. It worked wonders on my hair.

      Reply
      • Hair Romance says

        December 22, 2015 at 11:27 am

        great tip! Will try that next time too, I’m sure it smells better than ketchup! haha x

        Reply
  9. Christy says

    April 30, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    OMG I have never heard of hair going green before ! I must consult my lighter haired friends about this new insight if they experience these issues.

    http://milkshakekingdom.com/

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 1, 2015 at 12:33 am

      You’re lucky Christy, it’s usually a nice muddy green too 😉 very attractive lol!

      Reply
  10. Steph @ Lipstick & Cake says

    April 30, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    Hahaha best video ever!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      April 30, 2015 at 9:59 pm

      thanks Steph! It was so funny trying to make it with the peanut gallery in my bathroom hahaha xx

      Reply
  11. Julie says

    April 30, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Love this video and so jealous. What I would give to be back honeymooning in Bali! Green hair or no green hair 😉

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      April 30, 2015 at 9:59 pm

      thanks lovely! It was my first time there and I’m already working out how to go back…xx

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Christina and welcome to Hair Romance. Here you’ll find tutorials, tips and beauty advice to help you to love your best accessory: your hair.
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