How to Remove Buildup from Color Treated Hair

Co-authored by Bianca Cox and Eric McClure

Last Updated: January 8, 2022 References

There are so many products, hacks, and tricks out there for cleaning color-treated hair that it can be hard to know what works and what doesn’t. The good news is that there a few tried-and-true methods you can start with to get those luscious locks looking and feeling great again. It can be challenging to remove buildup without stripping color, but we’ll walk you through the gentler solutions before working up to the rougher stuff. Since buildup can strip color on its own, it’s definitely worth addressing this. Here’s everything you need to get that buildup out of your hair!

1

Stick with color-safe products.

From shampoo to styling gel, make sure the label mentions color. There are color-safe variations of basically every product out there, so if your goal is to preserve color, stick with brands and items designed specifically to protect color-treated hair. If you aren’t sure which products are ideal for your hair texture and color, ask your stylist for recommendations!^{[1]
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- This is especially important when it comes to your shampoo and conditioner, since those are the two items you’re probably using the most often.

2

Wash with clarifying shampoo to cleanse buildup.

In the vast majority of cases, this will be enough to remove any buildup. Purchase a clarifying shampoo designed for color-treated hair.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Bianca Cox
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.} Wash your hair according to the instructions on the label.^{[3]
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Research source} Once you’ve rinsed the clarifying shampoo out, condition your hair the same way you normally would.^{[4]
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- This is hands down the best way to deal with buildup, regardless of what’s causing it. Regular clarifying shampoo can strip color though, so make sure you use a color-safe version!
- So long as the impact on the color is minimal, you should be able to do this once a week. Avoid using clarifying shampoo more than that, though.^{[5]
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3

Try an apple cider vinegar wash for a natural option.

This is a riskier alternative to clarifying shampoo, but it may work. Some people have success with apple cider vinegar, while others find that it strips color in some cases. If you don’t want to use clarifying shampoo, apple cider vinegar will remove buildup.^{[6]
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Research source} Hop in the shower, shampoo the same way you normally would, and then mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of apple cider vinegar with 5 tablespoons (74 mL) of water. Massage the mixture into your hair and leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing and conditioning.^{[7]
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- Apple cider vinegar has the potential to irritate skin. If you feel a burning sensation on your scalp or you have any kind of reaction to the vinegar, rinse it out immediately.

4

Rinse with club soda to remove buildup from tap water.

Tap water contains minerals that can lead to buildup, so rinse them out. Every time you wash your hair with tap water, the minerals from the tap get left behind in your hair (chlorine and magnesium are the big culprits here). To rinse those minerals out after showers and washes, bend over a sink and pour club soda through your hair. This will wash out any buildup before it has time to settle in your hair.^{[8]
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- You may be able to use distilled water instead of club soda if you prefer.^{[9]
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- Rinsing tap water out of your hair is especially important if your buildup is partially caused by hard water (tap water with a high mineral content).^{[10]
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  Research source} If you notice crusty, white deposits around your sinks and drains, you probably have hard water where you live.^{[11]
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5

Try a baking soda scrub for a rougher option.

Baking soda will get buildup out, but it may strip some of that color. Baking soda is a strong cleanser, which makes it great if you’re struggling to remove buildup. Due to its strength, this may strip some of your hair’s color though, so beware. Use 1-part baking soda and 2-parts water to create a thick liquid. Work the watered-down baking soda into your hair, leave it in for a 10-20 minutes, and then rinse it out.^{[12]
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- You can also add pure baking soda to your hair when it’s dry and comb it out. This may be your best bet if the buildup is caused by oil.

6

Use a micellar product to soften colors and remove buildup.

Micellar water-based buildup products work wonders, but they remove color. In the event that you either used too much dye or you are actively trying to soften the shade of your hair’s color, grab a buildup breaking product that contains micellar water. Micellar water is super good when it comes to culling buildup, but it will definitely strip a shade or two out of your hair’s color. Follow the instructions on the product’s label to clean your hair.^{[13]
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- Micellar water is a popular ingredient in the popular French-girl skincare routine, so make sure that the product you buy is designed for hair and not skin.
- Micellar water is basically super cleanser. It works by attracting and suffocating dirt and oil, which makes it perfect for removing product buildup in your hair.^{[14]
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7

Make sure all of your products are sulfate-free.

Hair products that contain sulfates will strip the color from your hair. It may be tempting to use shampoos or products that make your hair feel super clean, but sulfate-based products are going to remove all of that beautiful color you’re trying to preserve!^{[15]
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Research source} Always read the label before you purchase a product to ensure that you aren’t buying something with sulfates in it.^{[16]
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Bianca Cox
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.}
- It is a healthier option.^{[17]
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  Bianca Cox
  Professional Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 9 May 2019.}

8

Clean your hair brush to avoid reintroducing buildup.

All of that product and oil in your hair ends up in your brush. Keep the bristles clean to avoid reintroducing all the buildup you remove back into your hair. There are a variety of ways to do this, but the easiest way to clean your brush is to use a little warm water and shampoo to get the brush wet, and then use a toothbrush to scrub in between the bristles. Rinse the brush off and let it air dry when you’re done.^{[18]
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- If you have naturally oily hair, the buildup in your hair may be sebum—an oil your body naturally produces. Brushing regularly and keeping a clean hairbrush is one of the best ways to solve this particular type of buildup.^{[19]
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- Doing this at least once a month should help keep your hair brush clean.
- A brush that has a mix of boar bristles and nylon fibers is going to be your best bet if you want to protect your hair color since those materials are the best at spreading natural oils out evenly along each hair’s shaft.^{[20]
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9

Take cooler showers to preserve the color when washing.

Heat will strip color, but you have to wash to remove buildup. This is definitely one of those “round peg with a square hole” situations. However, you can circumvent this obstacle just by changing the temperature of the water. By using the coldest temp you can stand, you won’t accidentally strip the color when you’re removing buildup from your hair.^{[21]
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- Generally speaking, heat of any kind is not going to be great for your hair—especially if it’s dyed or color-treated. Cut back on the flatiron/curling iron usage, and always set your hair dryer to the lowest heat setting available.
- You can use heat protectant on your hair to keep the heat from damaging that, but the more products you put in your hair, the more buildup you’ll run into.

10

Add a dash of dye to your conditioner.

If you’re washing to remove buildup regularly, the dye may fade. The solution here is simple. Add 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of your hair dye to your sulfate-free conditioner. If you got a professional color treatment, ask your stylist or colorist to do this for you. Every time you wash your hair with shampoo, follow it up with your tinted conditioner to refresh the color while you care for your hair.^{[22]
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- You stylist may even recommend a pre-tinted conditioner for you. If you buy one of these conditioners, don’t add any extra dye to it.

11

See your stylist if you can’t fix the problem.

If your hair could use some love, go see your stylist! Product buildup in color treated hair can be tricky to fix depending on what the buildup is composed of. If you accidentally strip some of the color, a stylist or colorist will be able to fix it. If you can’t get the buildup out, your stylist will be able to identify the problem and fix it for you.^{[23]
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- Color-treated hair often requires a follow-up appointment every now and then anyway, so it may simply be time for your regular touch up!

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I remove product build-up from my hair?

Bianca Cox
Professional Hair Stylist
Bianca Cox is a Hair Stylist, Licensed Cosmetologist, Owner of The Hair Throne, and Co-Owner of Bianchi Salon. Her salons pride themselves on their modernity, individuality, art, and professional services. You can check out The Hair Throne and more of Bianca's hairstyling on Instagram @hairthrone and on her personal Instagram @biancajcox.

Bianca Cox

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You can use a clarifying shampoo to remove product build-up from your hair.
Question

Which type of shampoo is better for the hair?

Bianca Cox
Professional Hair Stylist
Bianca Cox is a Hair Stylist, Licensed Cosmetologist, Owner of The Hair Throne, and Co-Owner of Bianchi Salon. Her salons pride themselves on their modernity, individuality, art, and professional services. You can check out The Hair Throne and more of Bianca's hairstyling on Instagram @hairthrone and on her personal Instagram @biancajcox.

Bianca Cox

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

A shampoo that does not contain sulfate is healthier for the hair. It can remove mineral product build-up on your hair.