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.
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:
- The vinegar in the tomato sauce stops the chemical reaction from occurring.
- 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.
How to use tomato ketchup on your hair to remove green colour
- Rinse your hair and squeeze out the excess water.
- Apply ketchup to your hair, concentrating on the ends or wherever it is green.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
It won’t hurt, and could help neutralise the tones without turning your hair red. I’d give it a try! x
Thank you so much…, Going to try this one!
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…..
Thanks so much for commenting, Nancy! Great tip and will definitely try this next time 🙂
Tomato sauce is also amazing for getting a white horses tail white! Strange but true
that is the best and craziest hair tip Jill! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Seriously never would have thought of using ketchup that way!
it’s weird but it works! 😉 xx
Just when I thought I couldn’t love you any more… you make this video. GOLD! x
hahahahaha! So silly xx
Haha! It looks like you all had a brilliant time, and I wish I knew about this tip years ago!!
It’s a funny home remedy that really works! You don’t need to worry as much with pink hair now 🙂 x
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)
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
I really don’t recommend bi-carb, it can damage your hair and your scalp. Diluted apple cider vinegar is a much better option.
Thanks Hannah!
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.
great tip! Will try that next time too, I’m sure it smells better than ketchup! haha x
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/
You’re lucky Christy, it’s usually a nice muddy green too 😉 very attractive lol!
Hahaha best video ever!
thanks Steph! It was so funny trying to make it with the peanut gallery in my bathroom hahaha xx
Love this video and so jealous. What I would give to be back honeymooning in Bali! Green hair or no green hair 😉
thanks lovely! It was my first time there and I’m already working out how to go back…xx