How to get rid of orange hair at home – 5 super easy ways.

You want to know how to get rid of orange hair at home? Yikes!

Whether you’ve tried to lighten your hair to blonde, remove old hair dye or your gorgeous new hair color is abandoning your head, faded orange hair is never a good look.

And we don’t mean the on-trend, orange-red shades of shimmering copper or rich rusty auburn hair. We’re talking about that drab, washed-out hue that makes your hair look – and you feel – old, tired, frazzled and frankly unfabulous!

Luckily we’re here with all you need to know about freeing your hair and head from orange hair at home.

You’ll be pleased to hear it’s a lot easier than you think!

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How to get rid of orange hair at home.

If your hair has turned orange after bleaching or your brunette hue is fading or washing away, there are a few things you can do to get rid of orange hair at home.

Which method will work best for you depends on the natural color of your hair and how much orange you need to remove!

Method #1: Use a toning shampoo

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Toning shampoo like purple shampoo or blue shampoo work best when used on bleached or highlighted hair that has been left with unwanted yellow or orange tones.

They’re specially formulated with blue or purple color pigments in order to neutralize warm tones and leave you with a cool, natural looking hair color.

Expert Insights

“Blue takes out orange, “browns” it out – which essentially means its cancelling the orange and taking it back to a natural color; so you’d need to use something with a blue base.”

Rebecca Leigh, Hair Stylist

What to do:

Use a toning shampoo once a week when you wash your hair. Shampoo your hair as normal first to get rid of any product build-up or oils.

Most toning shampoos work best when left on the hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out with lukewarm water.

They can be drying so make sure you use a good deep conditioner afterward – it will help keep your locks moisturized and healthy!

Best for subtle orange hues or minimal brassiness. Ideal as a first-line solution and for regular weekly maintenance to keep orange tones at bay.

Method #2: Use a gloss toner or glaze.

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Gloss toners are a great way to give your strands some extra shine and remove any unwanted yellow or orange hues from your lightened locks.

Toners usually come in liquid form and coats each strand of hair to help correct any discoloration while adding lots of shine.

Expert Insights

“Ash will get rid of the orange, BUT ONLY IF THE ASH BASE IS BLUE. Do not get a green base your hair will look like mud. Your hair if it is bleached underneath will fade out and will need a full color again when your roots need to be done, but it will eventually hold.”

Gina Gann, Cosmetologist

What to do:

To use a gloss toner, simply apply it all over your damp hair (avoiding your roots) and let the toner sit for around 10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it out.

Be careful not to leave it on for too long as it can darken your hair and toner can be tricky to remove.

Best for adding shine with a touch of color correction. Suitable for those who have recently colored their hair and want to enhance the vibrancy while countering slight orange undertones.

Method #3: Do an apple cider vinegar rinse

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Apple cider vinegar is known for its many health benefits, but did you know that it can also help get rid of unwanted orange tones in your hair?

Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid which can help tone down brassy shades while also adding tons of shine. And the best thing is, you might already have it at home in your kitchen cupboards.

Expert Insights

“A good ratio is a 5:1, 5 parts water to 1 part ACV. If it causes discomfort, dilute it some more. You want to make enough mixture to evenly coat your scalp and hair. Use your fingers to massage it through.”

Stephanie Johnson, Cosmetologist

What to do:

Mix the Apple Cider Vinegar and water together, section off your damp hair, pour the mixture onto each section, massage into scalp and ends, then rinse thoroughly after 15 minutes!

Be sure not to leave this rinse on longer than 15 minutes as it may damage the cuticles on your hair strands.

Best for a natural and gentle approach. Suitable for those looking for a home remedy to slightly adjust hair tone without using chemicals.

Method #4: Dye your hair darker

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If none of the above methods seem to be working for you, a new, ashy color might be for you.

Dyeing over your existing color is a great way to combat those pesky brassy oranges without having to bleach again (which could end up being damaging).

It’s a good idea to go darker here and also to tone down hair color that’s too bright.

You’ll just need to make sure you pick the right color to cover orange hair.

Expert Insights

“Be careful and use a diluted or pastel color first, or a light blue toner made specifically for blonde toning (such as Schwarzkopf BlondeMe Ice or Steel Blue) depending on the intensity of the orange color.”

Nathan England, Hair colorist specializing in corrective color.

What to do:

Opt for dyes that contain blue or green undertones as they will do the most work in canceling out the orange hues in your tresses.

Always make sure that you read dye instructions carefully before applying them directly onto your strands – safety first!

Best for significant color changes. If you have intense orange hues or are looking to dramatically alter your hair color, choosing an ashy dye can effectively neutralize the orange.

Method #5: Lighten your hair

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If all else fails, a bleach bath is a great option to strip all of your hair color and remove orange tones.

A bleach bath is a process that uses bleach mixed with shampoo and conditioner to lighten your hair in stages, allowing you to reach the desired shade while limiting damage.

When done correctly, a bleach bath can be a much more gentle way of lightening your locks than using a full-strength bleach solution.

Expert Insights

“If your brassiness is deep, like flat-out orange, but you want a very pale blonde shade, then another bleaching may be necessary…provided your hair can take it.”

Lisa Cogswell Hammonds, Salon Owner

What to do:

Make sure you use a 10-volume developer and mix it with 2 parts of shampoo and 1 part of conditioner.

Once the mixture is ready, apply it from roots to ends and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly before shampooing as usual.

Best for extensive orange tones and for those planning to dye their hair a much lighter color afterward. This method is more intense and should be considered only if other methods won’t work.

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Understanding Why Hair Turns Orange.

If you’ve recently taken the plunge and opted for blonde hair, only to find that your mane is now orange instead of golden blonde, you’re not alone.

There are a few possible explanations for why you have a tangerine colored head of hair:

Reason #1 Bleach wasn’t left on long enough.

If you’re bleaching your own hair or getting it done by someone else at home, it’s important to make sure the bleach stays on long enough to get the desired result.

Red pigments and color molecules are the last ones to leave your hair. So if you leave bleach on for too short a time, then you may end up with a yucky orange tint.

To avoid this problem, always leave the bleach on for as long as directed by the instructions nad keep an eye on it developing as you go. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Reason #2: Your hair has a lot of natural warmth.

Another reason why your hair could turn orange is because of its natural red pigment—also known as pheomelanin—which can give an orange hue when the hair is lightened or bleached.

Brunettes are more prone to suffering from fading orange hair as as they have natural warm tones in their hair and hair dye products. If you’ve removed hair dye from your hair, some warmth will also show through.

You can offset the warm tones by going for ash-toned highlights rather than traditional highlights which can make tangerine tones appear more prominent in lighter shades of blonde.

Reason #3: Your hair has turned brassy

Brassiness occurs when there is too much yellow pigment in the hair after lightening or bleaching.

To reduce brassiness and combat any orange hues in your hair color, use purple shampoo and/or apply toner directly after lightening or bleaching to neutralize those unwanted yellow undertones.

Reason #4 Lifestyle!

You lifestyle and how you look after your hair color can play a huge role in how it turns out.

Sun exposure, over-styling, and using the wrong hair care products can all cause your color to fade faster than usual, resulting in an unwanted orange hue.

So if you want to avoid any undesirable orange tones, make sure you’re protecting your hair from the sun and using quality hair care products that don’t contain harsh ingredients.

The Science Behind Blue Shampoos Neutralizing Orange Tones.

So how does this magic voodoo work?

Well, blue tones counteract orange tones as they are opposite colors. That means that when they’re put together, they neutralize each other and cancel each other out.

If you take a look at the hair color wheel below, you’ll see that blue is directly opposite orange. That’s why we use blue pigment on unwanted brassy, orange tones to color correct it and restore your hair to a cooler color.

Similarly, if you want to get rid of yellow or brassy tones in ash blonde and lighter hair, you’d need to use a good purple shampoo.

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Best Practices for Using Blue Shampoos

Do

• Wait at least two weeks after dyeing your hair before using a blue shampoo. Your hair will be extra porous after coloring and it could go patchy.
• Use alongside a good blue conditioner to keep your hair healthy and in great condition.
• Rinse the shampoo out thoroughly.
• Use as a shampoo or as an intensive treatment in between washes.

Don’t

• Don’t leave it on too long – it deposits a blue pigment which could stain your hair. If this happens, don’t panic! Wash it with a really good clarifying shampoo for colored hair to fix.
• Don’t use it too often. You can start by mixing it with your normal shampoo if you find it’s too strong or it makes your hair too dark.
• Don’t use it to cancel out yellow tones, it will only work for orange tones and will make yellow tones turn green!

Which are the best blue shampoos?

These are the best blue shampoos for neutralizing unwanted tones and getting rid of orange hair at home – for good! You can read more about them in our in-depth reviews of Best blue shampoo for brunettes.

Best blue shampoos at a glance.

Hair dye	Looks like	Best for	Buy it now
Fudge Cool Brunette Toning-Blue Duo Shampoo Conditioner	Save	Powerful cooling effects.	Check it out on Amazon >>
PRO:VOKE ILLUMINEX Blue Toning Shampoo & Conditioner	Save	Fabulous fragrance.	Check it out on Amazon >>
Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo & Conditioner	Save	Cool tones and healthier hair.	Check it out on Amazon >>
Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo And Conditioner.	Save	Cool ombre and balayage hair.	Check it out on Amazon >>
Fanola No Orange Anti-orange Shampoo	Save	Cool tones and super shine.	Check it out on Amazon >>
Redken Colour Extend Brownlights Blue Toning Shampoo	Save	Easy use.	Check it out on Amazon >>

Natural Home Remedies for Orange Hair

Dealing with orange hair can be a challenge, but there are effective natural remedies that you can try at home.

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Vinegar for Orange Hair

That’s right, vinegar. The same stuff you use for making salad dressing can also help to tone down orange hair.

Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water, apply it to your hair, and leave it on for about 15 minutes.

The acetic acid in the vinegar will help to neutralize the brassiness and restore your hair to its natural color.

You can either use a vinegar rinse after shampooing, or apply it directly to your hair and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

Either way, you’re sure to be pleased with the results!

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Baking soda for orange hair

Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can be used to remove unwanted hair color.

Simply mix equal parts baking soda and shampoo, and apply it to your hair. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

You may need to repeat the process several times to see results but the baking soda should lighten your hair gradually every time.

How to get rid of orange hair FAQs

Which is the easiest way to fix orange hair at home?

Want to know how say good riddance to orange hair at home in the fastest way possible? It’s easy!

We love blue shampoos as a quick remedy for orange hair as they’re easy to use and work pretty much instantly. They are also totally safe without any nasty chemicals.

Not to be confused with professional toners, blue shampoos are super easy to use yourself at home. They’re just like ordinary shampoos but they contain blue pigments that are used to neutralize red and orange, brassy tones.

So they cleanse your hair while gently toning any orange brassiness with blue pigments to cool down the warm orange vibes.

If you’re looking for a stronger option, head over to What color covers orange hair? where you’ll find all the hair dye colors you can use to cover up brassy orange hair.

How do you fix orange bleached hair fast?

So you’ve gone a little too hard on the bleach, and now your hair is more orange than blonde.

Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us!

There are a few things you can do to correct the problem.

• First, try using a color-correcting shampoo or conditioner. These products can help to neutralize brassy tones and restore your hair’s natural pH balance.
• You can also try using a clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up from your hair. Then, use a deep conditioning treatment to help rehydrate your strands.
• If that doesn’t work, you can always try using a toner. Be sure to choose one that is specifically designed for bleached hair, and follow the instructions on how to tone your hair carefully to avoid further damage.

With a little patience and some trial and error, you should be able to fix your orange hair fast.

Why does my hair go orange when I dye it blonde?

It’s the age-old question: why does my hair go orange when I dye it blonde?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. If you’ve ever dyed your hair blonde and ended up with orange tints, you’re not alone.

It’s a common problem that occurs when the hair’s natural pigment is not light enough to begin with. When bleach is applied, it removes the pigment from the hair shaft, resulting in a lighter color.

However, if there is still residual pigment left over, it can cause the hair to take on an orange hue.

Expert Insights

“There’s nothing you can do to avoid your hair drawing warmth is you have underlying warm skin tones. Many brunettes have. But it’s an easy fix to cool it down by toning with ash.”

Enza Piazza, Hair Stylist & Color Consultant

Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid this problem:

• First, make sure to use a bleach that is specially formulated for blonde hair.
• Secondly, be sure to thoroughly rinse out the bleach after application.
• And finally, always use a conditioner designed for color-treated hair to help seal in moisture and protect the hair shaft.

Parting words

So there you have it, a few tips for how to get rid of orange hair.

We hope these techniques will help you turn your red locks back into the beautiful color your hair and heart desires.

Good luck!

Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.