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How to Make Baking Soda Paste to Remove Hair Color

Jun 9, 2011 / By Kimbry Parker

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Use baking soda to get hair dye out and your color just the shade you want it.

Photo: Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

So you got a dye job, but when all is said and done and you look in the mirror, the terror sets in. You look more like Carrot Top than the sexy redhead in the hairstyle magazine. Don't panic just yet. Grab that little box of deodorizer you keep in your fridge: baking soda. Making a baking soda paste is a quick way to remove unwanted hair color from your strands.

Grab a bowl and mix together equal parts baking soda and shampoo. Stir it well so the two ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Get your hair wet with the hottest water you can tolerate. The hotter the water, the more effective the paste, but be careful not to get it too hot or you'll scald yourself.

Massage the baking soda paste into your strands. Work the mixture into your hair well using your fingertips.

Rinse the mixture out well, then condition your hair like usual.

1.Bowl

3.Spoon

5.Baking soda

2.Shampoo

4.Conditioner

Although baking soda will help to remove the hair color, it's not going to happen in one application. You may have to apply the paste several times before you get the results you want.

After using the baking soda paste, deep condition your hair. Baking soda is slightly abrasive and coupled with hot water can damage your mane. Using deep conditioner will help minimize any damage.

If your hair color is too dark and you want to lighten it a couple of shades, mix a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of 20 volume peroxide and your regular amount of shampoo. Massage it into your hair, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out. Repeat as necessary until you've achieved the desired shade.