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Learn How to Wash Toner Out of Hair (or Hair Extensions) With 5 Easy Methods

Published: May 30, 2021 · Modified: Oct 24, 2023 by Kenneth Byrd · This post may contain affiliate links

How to Wash Toner Out of Hair

Dyeing your hair at home can give you a fun new look at less than the cost of a salon visit, although there are many ways that a do-it-yourself hair coloring treatment can go wrong.

Even a simple application of toner can yield undesired results if you’re not careful. Sometimes, you’ll add toner to cover up orange spots from bleach or tint your hair a different shade.

However, toner application does not always go as planned. Hair toners can tint patches of your hair in outrageous colors, such as purple, yellow, or orange tones, and give your hair a patchwork look. 

If you tried to apply toner at home and the results are not what you expected, all is not lost. There are a few ways that you can remove the toner and speed up the process of returning your hair to normal.

In this article, we'll discuss how to wash out toner using either recommended hair products or common household items.

Table of Contents

  • 1 How to Wash Toner Out of Hair
    • 1.1 Wash Your Hair with a Clarifying Shampoo
    • 1.2 Use Dandruff Shampoo to Remove Toner from Hair
    • 1.3 Use Home Remedies to Reduce Over Toned Hair Strands
    • 1.4 Lemon Juice and Dish Detergent
    • 1.5 Lemon Juice and Conditioner
    • 1.6 Baking Soda
    • 1.7 Hydrogen Peroxide
  • 2 The Best Way To Remove Toner From Hair
    • 2.1 Timing Is an Important Factor
  • 3 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 3.1 What Is the Fastest Way to Remove Toner From Hair?
    • 3.2 How Long Does It Take for Toner to Wash Out of Hair?
    • 3.3 Do You Wash Toner Out With Shampoo?
    • 3.4 What to Do if Toner Is Too Dark?
    • 3.5 Related Articles
    • 3.6 Get Rid of Toner

How to Wash Toner Out of Hair

Black girl talking on the phone, asking her friend, can I remove toner from my hair

If you're unhappy with the results of your hair coloring treatment, there are ways to get rid of toner immediately without having to wait.

If you want to strip toner from your hair right away, you also need to wash your hair right away. For best results, try one of these solutions within 24 hours. 

FIX OVER TONED HAIR AT HOME + HAIR STORY W PICS | REYNELL

Wash Your Hair with a Clarifying Shampoo

African American female with hair extensions treated by coconut oil sitting on a park bench.

The best way to wash toner out of your hair quickly is by using a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are powerful cleansers that people usually use to wash out product build-up, dirt, and other substances that get in your hair.

These shampoos can also remove toners. You can find them at most stores that sell hair products.

Clarifying shampoos work because they have surfactants, which are active ingredients that strip hair of all impurities, including artificial color. While it can damage your hair, it won’t cause as much damage as peroxide or bleach. Just be sure to use a conditioning treatment afterward.

You apply a clarifying shampoo, the same as any shampoo. Then, leave the shampoo in your hair according to the directions on the bottle and wash it out like you would regular shampoo.

If the first round of clarifying shampoo doesn’t work, you can try washing a few more times to get the last remnants of toner out.

Although it is usually not recommended to use it more than a few times a week, it will not seriously damage your hair if you use it a few times on the same day to remove the toner.

After using a clarifying shampoo, be sure to rehydrate your hair with a deep conditioner or hair mask since it does strip it of some of its nutrients.

Use Dandruff Shampoo to Remove Toner from Hair

American female wearing a white dress shirt and brown shorts with brassiness in her light brown curly hair strands

Dandruff shampoo is another way to wash out toner. Like clarifying shampoo, it has sulfates, which are chemicals that strip hair of all impurities. 

Dandruff shampoo is usually gentler than clarifying shampoo, so you can use it more often, and it will not damage your hair as much.

However, that also means that it will take more washes to get the toner out of your hair than you would if you were using a clarifying shampoo. 

Some hairdressers recommend making your own mixture to wash out toner using dandruff shampoo as a base, but more on that later.

You can find dandruff shampoo in most drugstores, beauty supply stores, and even supermarkets. 

If you don't want to completely remove the toner but lessen the appearance of orange and yellow tones, consider trying a purple shampoo. Using purple shampoo often works well for those with blonde hair.

Use Home Remedies to Reduce Over Toned Hair Strands

Cute black girl with a short curly haircut talking on the mobile phone in the park

If you can’t run out to the store (or are embarrassed to show the state of your hair color in public), then you could whip up a solution to remove your hair toner from common household ingredients.

Lemon Juice and Dish Detergent

You can use lemon juice and Dawn dish soap to create a mixture that will remove toner from your hair by chelating your hair. Chelating is a process that cleanses the hair of all dirt and buildup. It can also get rid of unwanted hair color and undertones.

You can buy a chelating shampoo at the store, but you can also mimic the process at home. First, wash your hair with gentle dish soap instead of shampoo. Then, rinse the dish soap out and squeeze a lemon onto your hair.

Let the lemon juice sit on your hair for a few minutes, and then rinse it out. This should clear out the toner buildup.

Be sure to hydrate your hair with a conditioner and a hair mask after this process, as chelating also strips the hair of desired nutrients in addition to undesired impurities. Actually, many women are now using Dawn dish soap for hair growth, so there may be other benefits of using this treatment also.

Lemon Juice and Conditioner

African female with pink fingernail polish and a curly hairstyle

Lemon juice can be very helpful in removing toner from your hair. You can use the chelating method described above or mix it with a conditioning product.

For best results, use a 3:1 ratio of lemon juice and conditioner. The amount will vary depending on the length of your hair. 

Then, apply the mixture to your hair. Be sure to coat your hair thoroughly, paying special attention to the parts that are discolored due to toner.

Finally, let it sit for at least three hours or overnight, and tie your hair up in a shower cap to let the lemon juice soak into your hair strands.

You can also mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle, using a 2:1 ratio, and treat specific areas of your hair. This process works using a "bleaching effect", so the final color can be somewhat unpredictable.

Some women suggest it's similar to spinning the color wheel, so we suggest that you use shampoo (or the first two methods) when possible.

Also, if you're worried about messing up your hair, the good news is that your hair colorist can fix your hair at your next visit to the hair salon.

These hair care issues are common occurrences for salon appointments, so your hairstylists (or colorist) should be able to offer advice, provide answers to common questions, and ensure that you don't damage your hair while removing the toner.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile household ingredient used for baking, cleaning your house, and even cleaning your hair. Add a little bit of baking soda, about 10 mL, to your regular shampoo and use it to wash your hair with lukewarm water.

You can repeat this process a few times if the toner is not going away, but it should be very effective.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Black girl leaving the hairdresser wearing a white shirt, pink nail polish, and light brown hair dye.

Disclaimer: We don't recommend using this approach since the other options are much better solutions. However, this is a popular choice, and we'll address it below.

Finally, if you have a serious problem with toner discoloring your hair, it’s time to bring out serious solutions. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dandruff shampoo is very effective at stripping toner from your hair.

First, mix 100 mL of hydrogen peroxide and dandruff shampoo together. Then, gently spritz your hair with water—you don’t want to wet your hair as you would for regular shampoo, as the drying process could damage your hair.

Apply the mixture to the discolored parts of your hair and let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing it off.

Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong ingredient, so if you are choosing this method, be sure to take precautions to protect yourself.

Use disposable gloves when mixing and applying the solution to avoid burning your skin. Check every minute to see if the toner is gone yet because you do not want to leave this mixture on your head for too long. 

After applying hydrogen peroxide, you need to be diligent about conditioning and hydrating your hair. This will prevent further damage. 

The Best Way To Remove Toner From Hair

Woman looking into the sky wondering with brown curls and a large diamond ring on her right hand

The best method to remove unwanted tones from your hair is to use either a clarifying shampoo, anti-dandruff shampoo, Dawn dish soap, or visit your colorist.

If you remove the toner on your own at home, start with some type of shampoo, and once the toner has been removed, follow up with a deep conditioning treatment. This is the basic approach we recommend regardless of hair type or the color of your hair.

It's important to remember that toner is a type of hair dye used to touch up color between salon visits or add a subtle change to your look. Examples include ash toner, purple toner, blue toner, and more.

While toner cannot completely change your hair color, it can alter it subtly. For example, adding a purple hue, ashy tones, or yellow undertones.

It can come in many different forms, from toning glosses lasting for several weeks to weaker toning shampoos.

Toner is not as strong as bleach or regular hair dye like you would get in a box. Most toning products last for a few weeks at most and wash out naturally.

While this is bad news if you were hoping to make a permanent change to your appearance, toner’s temporary nature is a relief if you just made a mistake using it.

Since toner is weaker than bleach or box dye, it is a much more forgiving product. However, it is still possible to wind up with a hair nightmare on your hands if you chose the wrong toner. Some toner could even tint your hair green! 

Timing Is an Important Factor

Pretty black girls with natural hair reading an article on her mobile phone while sitting on a bench at the park

The best and worst part about toner is that it is temporary (also called a demi-permanent dye), unlike permanent and semi-permanent dyes.

This is annoying if you were hoping to touch up your hair with lasting results but a blessing if you are unhappy with the results of your toning experiment. 

Some toner products wash out after only a few washes. If you are mildly unhappy with the way your hair looks but can still afford to wait a few days, you can speed up the process by washing your hair more often than you usually would.

Washing your hair every day may be bad for your hair, but it will wash toner out more quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating the process of removing toner from your hair can spark a few questions. Below, we've compiled a FAQ section to address common questions. We provide clear, concise answers to make your toner removal journey more effective.

What Is the Fastest Way to Remove Toner From Hair?

The fastest way to remove toner from hair is to use a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are powerful cleansers that contain surfactants. The active ingredients strip your hair of impurities, including artificial hair color. You can use the clarifying shampoo like any regular shampoo.

Follow the directions on the bottle for how to leave it in, and then rinse it out. It might require a couple of washes to remove the toner altogether. Afterward, it’s essential to apply a deep conditioner or hair mask to rehydrate the hair. This is because clarifying shampoos can remove some of the hair’s natural oils and nutrients.

How Long Does It Take for Toner to Wash Out of Hair?

Toner is a temporary or demi-permanent hair dye and typically begins to wash out after a few shampoos. The exact time it takes for toner to wash out of the hair can vary depending on the brand and type of toner used.

How often your hair is washed should also be considered. If the toner needs to be removed faster, use a clarifying or dandruff shampoo. You can also use a home remedy like a mixture of lemon juice and conditioner to expedite the process.

Do You Wash Toner Out With Shampoo?

Yes, you can wash toner out with shampoo, specifically clarifying or dandruff shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are powerful cleansers that can remove artificial hair colors, including toner.

Dandruff shampoos, while gentler, contain sulfates that can also help in removing toner. Although, dandruff shampoos might require more frequent application to be as effective. After using these shampoos, a conditioning treatment is recommended. Conditioning will restore your hair’s moisture and nutrients.

What to Do if Toner Is Too Dark?

If the toner is too dark, wash your hair with a clarifying or dandruff shampoo. These shampoos are effective at stripping away the artificial color from your hair.

Alternatively, you can use home remedies. For example, a lemon juice and conditioner mixture will lighten the toner. You can also add baking soda to your regular shampoo. Always follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask to replenish your hair’s natural oils.

Related Articles

  • Toner on Dark Brown Hair Before and After
  • Is Toner Bad for Your Hair?
  • Will Toning My Hair a Second Time Make a Difference?
  • Do You Use Toner on Wet or Dry Hair?

Get Rid of Toner

If you made a mistake with toner while dyeing your hair at home, all is not lost. Toner is a temporary dying product and comes out easily compared to bleach or box dye.

There are several methods for washing toner out of your hair if you do not want to wait for it to come out naturally.

You can use store-bought products such as clarifying and dandruff shampoos that will cleanse your hair. Or, you can make your own treatment using your regular hair products and ingredients you may have at home, such as lemon juice and baking soda.

Whichever way you choose to wash toner out of your hair, be sure to nourish your hair afterward. All of these treatments strip your hair of color but also of vital nutrients and moisture. Rehydrate your hair with a deep conditioner or hair mask.

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About Kenneth Byrd

Kenneth Byrd, with a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has over 15 years of experience and is a recognized authority in hair care. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines, industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise. Kenneth’s commitment to transparency, quality, and empowerment has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field, empowering readers to confidently embrace their natural beauty.

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Hey, I'm Kira!

Curl Centric is a curly hair blog created by husband-and-wife team Kenneth and Kira Byrd. With over 15 years of experience and a community of 10,000+ daily readers, we share trusted techniques to help you embrace and care for your natural curls with confidence.

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