Ever wondered how to remove toner from hair? Dying your hair is a fantastic way to get a new look or refresh your current look. However, dying your hair can also turn into a nightmare, especially when you end up with the wrong color. If you end up with a dye job gone bad, there are things you can do to resolve the problem quite easily.
In this article, you will learn how to remove toner from hair in a few simple and easy steps. We also have some bonus ideas at the end for how to remove orange from bleached hair without toner!
How to Remove Toner From Hair: 5 Options
Toner is used to deepen your hair’s shade, but it does not always give the look you desire. In this situation, you are likely going to be searching for remedies that are quick and easy. The good news is that toner will eventually fade with normal washes. However, if you are looking at an unbearable shade, you can use some of these tried-and-true methods.
Option 1 to Remove Toner from Hair: Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying Shampoo is a great way to remove the unwanted toner from your hair gently. Clarifying shampoo is not only made for removing dye, it is used to remove any excess product build-up in your hair. It is frequently used when hair is becoming dull and lifeless.
Using this type of shampoo to help remove toner is not going to provide immediate results. You will likely notice that the toner begins to fade from your hair over time. The more frequently you use the clarifying shampoo, the more quickly it will work.
This is probably the best solution in the majority of cases. It’s tempting to use the quicker/harsher methods for a quick fix, but remember that toner will fade over time and a good clarifying shampoo simply makes that process much faster.
Cautions: When using a clarifying shampoo to remove the toner from your hair, you need to be cautious about how often you use the shampoo. Because it is formulated to remove excess oil and dirt from your hair, overuse can dry your hair. An indicator of drying hair will be small fly always and extra frizz. If you notice this happening, do not use the clarifying shampoo as frequently. Two times a week is recommended.
Our Favorite Clarifying Shampoos to Remove Toner
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Description: Manic Panic works to remove color by using a High pH, Sodium Chlorine, and surfactants to mildly (but effectively) disintegrate the dyes attached to hair strands and dislodge color pigments. |
Description: Ideal for those with hard water, Kendra clarifying shampoo is one of the best overall clarifying shampoos out there, but particularly for over-toned hair. It’s a little pricier than other shampoos, but many stylists swear that there’s no better clarifying shampoo on the market. |
Description: This is potent stuff. So much so that we recommend it only for occasional use or those with particularly oily scalps and hair. However, it will do wonders to remove build-up and toner. |
Manic Panic works to remove color by using a High pH, Sodium Chlorine, and surfactants to mildly (but effectively) disintegrate the dyes attached to hair strands and dislodge color pigments.
Ideal for those with hard water, Kendra clarifying shampoo is one of the best overall clarifying shampoos out there, but particularly for over-toned hair. It’s a little pricier than other shampoos, but many stylists swear that there’s no better clarifying shampoo on the market.
This is potent stuff. So much so that we recommend it only for occasional use or those with particularly oily scalps and hair. However, it will do wonders to remove build-up and toner.
Option 2 to Remove Toner from Hair: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Yes, you are reading that correctly. If you aren’t sure how to remove toner from hair, you can start by going to your kitchen and pulling out the baking soda. Baking soda and vinegar work much the same way clarifying shampoos do, by breaking down the oils in your hair. This combination allows the color to release from your hair slowly.
Cautions: Baking soda and vinegar are extremely abrasive and will likely dry your hair out. Because of this, you need to limit the number of times you use the mixture, and you need to be prepared to deep condition your hair when you are done.
Baking Soda and Vinegar hair color removal recipe
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda to remove hair color:
- Prepare the mixture:
- In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 1/2 cups of water.
- You can also add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of fragrant essential oil for a more pleasant experience.
- Apply the mixture:
- Wet hair thoroughly, then apply the baking soda mixture, making sure to saturate it from roots to ends.
- Let it sit:
- Leave the baking soda mixture in your hair for about 10 minutes. This allows the mixture to penetrate the hair and help fade the color.
- Rinse:
- Rinse your hair thoroughly. Make sure to rinse until the water runs clear and there are no traces of the mixture left in your hair.
- Final rinse:
- In a jug, combine vinegar, water, and if desired essential oil. (Lavender, peppermint, and rosemary and popular favorites with known benefits to hair health)
- Pour the vinegar mixture through your hair as a final rinse.
- Do not rinse your hair any further after this step.
Repeat this process for 3-4 consecutive days to gradually fade the hair color. Again, keep in mind that baking soda and vinegar can be drying to the hair, so it’s important to follow a strict aftercare routine.
Option 3 to Remove Toner from Hair: Dandruff Shampoo
Cautions: Although dandruff shampoo is commonly used, you need to use caution and limit the number of times you use it. Sulfates (contained in many dandruff shampoo’s) can strip oil from the hair and scalp, it will likely lead to dry hair. The best defense against this is to have a good conditioning treatment to use after each wash.
Washing your hair with anti-dandruff shampoo is another way to lighten a too-dark toner in your hair gradually. Remember, this will take time so that you won’t see instant results. The shampoo will break down the oils in your hair, which will allow the color to fade away slowly. Luckily, since you’re looking for something that isn’t specialized to be color safe, than you don’t have to look far to find one that won’t break the bank, but still be quality enough to protect your hair against furthur damage. Good old Head and shoulders to rescue! (We recommend this one just because the green apple smells so goo;)
Option 4 to Remove Toner from Hair: Chelate Your Hair – aka Dish Soap and Lemon Juice
When all else fails, you can use dish soap and lemon juice to chelate your hair at home. This is a very quick way to strip your hair. Most dish soap can break down grease, so it can help your hair release the color. The color release will happen gradually, so you won’t likely see immediate results.
You may remember a time when you used lemon juice to lighten hair in the sun. If you have too dark hair, you can turn to lemon juice to help lighten it. This process will need to be repeated and will take time to see results.
Recipe for Lemon and Dish Soap to Remove Toner
- After wetting your hair use a tablespoon of Dawn Dishsoap to wash your hair like you would regular shampoo. Leave for a minute then rinse out completely.
- Use a fresh cut lemon (not concentrate) and squeeze into your head and scalp then bunch the rest of your hair to get every drop of lemon in it you can. Lemon is alkaline and will make your hair feel “squeaky clean” almost like wool. Don’t worry just let it sit for a couple minutes.
- Use the most hydrading conditioner you have to help replenish the neutrients back into your hair. Leave on for at leaset 5 minutes, then rinse thuroughly.
This method will pull toner out as quickly as if you washed your hair normally 4 or 5 times.
Cautions: Dish soap is both clarifying and stripping it will dry your hair out. Lemon is very acidic and will also dry your hair quickly. It is important to use this treatment sparingly and always follow it with a deep conditioning treatment.
As you can see, you can use many methods to remove toner from your hair. However, you must be patient because the results will take time. You also want to make sure that you aren’t causing more damage to your hair when removing the toner.
Option 5 to Remove Toner from Hair: Ask Your Cosmotologist or Hair Specialist for Help
Last, but certainly not least, is to ask a professional for help. It all boils down to experience and expertise. A cosmetologist is often the best person to help remove toner from hair because they have the expertise to assess the situation, determine the appropriate solution, and apply specialized techniques for color correction. Their knowledge will minimize potential damage and ensure effective removal, leaving your hair healthy and restored to the desired shade. Yes, this is usually the most expensive route, but if it’s affecting your confidence and attitude about your appearance, than it might be worth it to quickly remedy the problem.
How to Remove Ash Toner from Bleached Hair
Sometimes when you get your hair dyed, you will notice an ash tone that begins to come out. This is not a flattering shade because it can be rather dull and lifeless looking. To rapidly remove the ash tone, you can go to the stylist to work their magic, but if you are short on money and don’t want harsh chemical treatments, you can remove it at home.
The best method to remove ash toner from home is to use a clarifying shampoo. You can use the other methods mentioned above, but a clarifying shampoo will be the least abrasive measure that you can take to eliminate the coloring. Again, don’t overuse the product and cause further damage to your already sensitive hair so be sure to deep condition each time.
If you are adept at home coloring, you can also try to use a box toner kit to apply warm red tones to the ash. This will help warm up the overall ashy appearance. When doing this, you need to make sure you get the proper color combination or end up with greater problems.
How to Remove Orange from Bleached Hair Without Toner
Orange can be a tricky color to deal with when it comes to dying your hair. If you happen to notice you have orange hair after dying your bleached hair, there is a way that you can rescue it at home. You will need to choose an ash dye that will get you close to your brown or blonde color.
Orange to Brown: If you have an orange tone in your hair and wish to move to a more subdued brown color, you will want to use a light ash blond dye. This will help eliminate the orange tones and allow you to obtain a more golden brown color. When doing this, make sure you are using the proper ash tones.
Orange to Blonde: Making the change from orange to blonde can be a bit more tricky, but you can achieve it. This process will take longer and more steps because you will need to bleach the orange color from your hair before beginning to lighten it. If you try to dye the hair while it is still orange, you will likely end up with a bigger problem.
Once you have bleached your hair to eliminate the offensive orange coloring, you will need to apply an ash blond dye to your hair. This should give you a lightened blonde look without any orange peeking through.
Final Thoughts
Hair dye mishaps are bound to happen, so when they do, you need to be prepared to make corrections at home or with your stylist. It is important to remember that color-treated hair is more susceptible to damage, so whichever method you use to remove toner needs to be followed with a deep conditioning treatment.