How to Get Rid of Orange Hair: A Complete DIY Guide

Contents:

• Understanding Why Your Hair Turned Orange
• How to Get Rid of Orange Hair: Your Main Options
• Toner: The Most Effective Method
• Purple or Blue Shampoo
• Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
• Colour-Depositing Conditioner
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Step-by-Step Process for Using Toner at Home
• Maintenance: Keeping Orange Out of Your Hair
• When to See a Professional
• Budget Breakdown: Total Cost to Get Rid of Orange Hair
• FAQ: Your Orange Hair Questions Answered
• How long does it take to get rid of orange hair with toner?
• Will toner damage my hair?
• What if my hair turns greenish instead of blonde?
• How often should I use purple shampoo to prevent orange?
• Can I tone my hair if it’s already coloured?
• Your Next Steps

Orange hair happens to the best of us—and it’s absolutely fixable. Whether you’ve just bleached your hair and ended up with an unwanted brassy tone, or your dyed colour has faded into that dreaded peachy hue, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need to book an expensive salon appointment or damage your hair further with another full colour treatment. With the right knowledge and a bit of patience, you can neutralise orange tones using products and techniques you can apply yourself at home.

Understanding Why Your Hair Turned Orange

Before tackling the solution, it helps to understand what’s actually happening to your hair. When you bleach hair or lighten it significantly, you’re removing pigment from the hair shaft. This process doesn’t remove colour evenly—instead, it strips away the darker pigments first, leaving behind the warmer, lighter tones underneath.

Hair contains natural pigments called melanin, which come in two types: eumelanin (warm reds and yellows) and pheomelanin (orange and red tones). When you bleach or lighten your hair, the darker pigments vanish first, leaving the warm tones visible. This is why freshly bleached hair often looks yellow or orange rather than platinum blonde.

If your hair is already dyed and fading, orange tones emerge as the dye molecules break down. The warm undertones in many brunette and auburn dyes become more noticeable as the colour fades, typically after 2-4 weeks depending on your hair type and water quality.

How to Get Rid of Orange Hair: Your Main Options

You’ve got several proven methods to neutralise orange tones. Which one works best depends on how orange your hair is, your hair type, and what you have available.

Toner: The Most Effective Method

Toner is specifically designed to neutralise unwanted warm tones. It works by depositing cool-toned pigment onto your hair to counteract the orange or yellow underneath. Think of it like colour theory: orange’s opposite on the colour wheel is blue, so blue-based toners neutralise orange hair effectively.

Semi-permanent toners (like Wella T18 or T14) don’t contain ammonia or peroxide, so they’re gentler than permanent dyes and fade gradually over 24 shampoos or so. You apply them like a standard hair dye, usually leaving them on for 20-45 minutes depending on how much correction you need.

For darker orange tones, you might need a permanent toner with a developer (typically 10 or 20 volume), which lifts and deposits colour simultaneously. This is stronger but more damaging, so reserve it for stubborn brassy tones.

Cost breakdown for toner: Semi-permanent toner costs £6-15 per box. Permanent toner with developer runs £12-25 total. You’ll need one box for shoulder-length hair; longer hair might need two.

Purple or Blue Shampoo

These colour-depositing shampoos work on the same principle as toner but are much gentler. Purple shampoo neutralises yellow and golden tones, whilst blue shampoo targets orange and brassy tones. They don’t permanently change your hair colour—instead, they gradually deposit tiny amounts of cool pigment each time you wash.

Use them once or twice weekly initially, depending on how orange your hair is. Leave the shampoo on your hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. They’re particularly effective if your hair is only slightly orange or if you want to maintain a toner job between applications.

Cost breakdown: Quality purple or blue shampoos cost £8-20 per 250ml bottle. One bottle typically lasts 4-6 weeks with twice-weekly use.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

This is a gentler, budget-friendly option that works best on lighter orange tones. Apple cider vinegar has a slightly acidic pH (around 2.5) that can help close the hair cuticle and make brassy tones less visible. It won’t dramatically change your hair colour, but it can tone down the intensity noticeably.

Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water, then pour it through your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cool water. Your hair might smell temporarily, but the scent fades as your hair dries.

Cost breakdown: A 500ml bottle of apple cider vinegar costs £1.50-3, and you’ll use roughly 100ml per rinse, meaning one bottle lasts 5+ treatments.

Colour-Depositing Conditioner

Similar to colour-depositing shampoos, these conditioners gradually neutralise warm tones with each wash. They’re excellent if you have dry or damaged hair, since conditioner nourishes whilst toning. Brands like Fanola No Yellow or Schwarzkopf Blondme are reliable options.

Apply after shampooing, leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse. Use 2-3 times weekly depending on how much correction you need.

Cost breakdown: Colour-depositing conditioners typically cost £10-18 per 200ml. One container lasts roughly 4-5 weeks with regular use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Getting rid of orange hair is straightforward, but these mistakes can sabotage your results or damage your hair further:

• Using hot water: Hot water opens your hair cuticle, allowing pigment (including the orange tones you’re trying to hide) to escape faster. Always rinse with cool water when using toners or colour-depositing products.
• Leaving toner on too long: Toner isn’t meant to be left on for hours. Following the instructions (usually 20-45 minutes) gives you the intended result. Leaving it on longer can deposit too much pigment, turning your hair too ashy or even slightly greenish.
• Applying toner to already-damaged hair: If your hair is severely bleached or broken, toning won’t fix the structural damage. You need to repair the hair first with deep conditioning treatments before toning.
• Using the wrong shade of toner: If your hair is very dark orange, a pale blonde toner won’t cover it. You need a toner close to your desired final shade, or a permanent toner with developer.
• Washing immediately after toning: Wait at least 24-48 hours after applying toner before washing. This gives the pigment time to fully set into your hair.
• Ignoring your undertones: Not all orange is the same. Bright, true orange (common after bleaching) needs a cool blue toner. Reddish-orange needs a purple or violet toner. Know which you have before choosing a product.

Step-by-Step Process for Using Toner at Home

If toner is your chosen method, here’s exactly how to apply it yourself:

1. Do a patch test: Apply a small amount behind your ear 24 hours before full application. Wait to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
2. Gather your supplies: You’ll need the toner, developer (if using permanent toner), a mixing bowl (non-metal), an application brush, old towels, and gloves. Budget £15-30 for the complete setup including gloves and brush if you don’t have them.
3. Section your hair: Divide dry hair into 4-6 sections using clips. Smaller sections ensure even coverage.
4. Mix the toner: Follow the packet instructions exactly. Most semi-permanent toners mix 1:1 with developer or require no developer at all.
5. Apply systematically: Start at the roots (where hair is darkest and needs the most toning) and work toward the ends. Use the application brush to saturate each section thoroughly.
6. Set a timer: Don’t guess how long it’s been. Set an alarm for the exact time specified in your toner instructions.
7. Rinse with cool water: Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Use only cool water—hot water fades the toner.
8. Apply conditioner: Toner can be slightly drying, so condition generously after rinsing.
9. Air dry or blow-dry gently: Wait 24 hours before washing again to allow the pigment to fully set.

Maintenance: Keeping Orange Out of Your Hair

Once you’ve neutralised the orange, keeping it away requires consistency. Your toned hair will gradually fade back to yellow or orange as the pigment washes out and UV exposure breaks down the colour molecules.

Expect your toner to last 4-8 weeks depending on how often you wash, water temperature, and sun exposure. To extend it:

• Wash your hair in cool water only. Hot water accelerates colour fading significantly.
• Use colour-safe or purple/blue shampoo at least once weekly. This deposits fresh pigment with each wash.
• Reduce washing frequency. Wash every 2-3 days instead of daily if your hair allows it.
• Avoid chlorine, which fades colour quickly. Wet your hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming.
• Minimise heat styling when possible, as heat can fade colour and dry out your hair further.
• Use a UV protection spray, especially if you spend time outdoors. Sun exposure breaks down both natural colour and toner pigments.

When to See a Professional

Home toning works brilliantly for most people, but some situations call for a professional visit:

• Your hair is severely damaged or breaking. A stylist can assess whether toning is safe or if you need repair treatments first.
• Your hair is very dark orange and you want to go significantly lighter. This requires careful lifting, which is risky at home.
• You’ve already toned multiple times and the pigment isn’t taking anymore. You might need a different approach or a professional colour correction.
• You’re unhappy with your DIY results. A stylist can correct over-toned or unevenly toned hair.

Budget Breakdown: Total Cost to Get Rid of Orange Hair

Here’s what you’ll spend using the most popular method (semi-permanent toner):

• Semi-permanent toner: £6-15
• Colour-safe shampoo: £8-15 (if you don’t have this already)
• Colour-safe conditioner: £8-15 (optional but recommended)
• Gloves and application brush: £3-8 (one-time cost for reuse)
• Total initial investment: £25-53

For ongoing maintenance (assuming toning every 6 weeks and weekly colour-safe shampoo):

• Toner every 6 weeks: roughly £2 per week
• Colour-safe shampoo: roughly £2.50 per week
• Total ongoing cost: roughly £4.50 per week, or £19 per month

Compare this to a professional toning appointment (typically £40-80) every 6 weeks, and DIY becomes significantly more economical.

FAQ: Your Orange Hair Questions Answered

How long does it take to get rid of orange hair with toner?

Semi-permanent toner works within 20-45 minutes of application. You’ll see results immediately after rinsing. However, the pigment continues to deposit and deepen slightly over the next 24-48 hours, so the final result is best assessed after a couple of days.

Will toner damage my hair?

Semi-permanent toner is much gentler than bleach or permanent dye because it doesn’t contain ammonia or peroxide. It deposits colour without lifting or damaging the hair structure. However, repeated applications (more than once weekly) can eventually cause dryness, so use conditioner regularly and limit toning frequency.

What if my hair turns greenish instead of blonde?

This happens when you’ve applied too much blue-based toner. You’ve essentially neutralised the orange so effectively that you’ve shifted the colour too far in the opposite direction. Switch to a purple-toned shampoo or a warm-toned conditioner to rebalance. For future applications, use less toner or leave it on for less time.

How often should I use purple shampoo to prevent orange?

If your hair isn’t currently orange, using purple shampoo once every 7-10 days maintains your tone. If orange is beginning to show, increase to twice weekly. Don’t use it more than 2-3 times weekly long-term, as excess pigment buildup can make hair look dull.

Can I tone my hair if it’s already coloured?

Yes, toner works over previously dyed hair. It deposits colour on top of existing colour, so the result depends on what’s underneath. If your dyed hair is fading into orange, toning will cover that orange effectively. However, if your base colour is very dark, a pale toner won’t show much effect—you’d need a toner closer to your current shade.

Your Next Steps

Orange hair is temporary and completely manageable with the right approach. Start by assessing how orange your hair really is: is it a bright, vibrant orange or a subtle golden tone? This determines whether you need semi-permanent toner, blue shampoo, or something gentler like an apple cider vinegar rinse.

Grab your chosen product this week, follow the application instructions precisely, and give it time to work. Most people see satisfying results from their first toning session. From there, maintain your colour with cool-water rinses and colour-depositing products, and you’ll keep your hair looking fresh and ash-toned for weeks.

The DIY route to fixing orange hair is straightforward, economical, and gives you control over the final result. You’ve got this—your perfect hair colour is just one toning session away.