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Few things are more annoying than rust in your hair. Fortunately, getting rid of rust in your hair is easy. You could use store-bought products like chelating or clarifying shampoos. Alternately, you could use any number of kitchen products like vinegar or lemon juice. Prevent rust from getting in your hair in the future by connecting a water filter to your water tank or your shower head.
Steps
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Use a mineral-removal or clarifying shampoo. Some shampoos are designed to remove minerals and pollutants from the hair. They are more expensive than regular shampoos, but are also typically meant to be used less frequently (just once weekly, in many cases). [1] X Research source
- Mineral-removal shampoos work the same way that regular shampoos do. That is, wet your hair, then apply a dollop of shampoo to your hair. Work it into a lather, then rinse it out with water.
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Try a chelating shampoo. A chelating shampoo contains the ingredient ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), acetic acid, or citric acid. These shampoos bind with the iron particles and remove them when rinsed. [2] X Research source
- Like clarifying shampoos, chelating shampoos can be harsh on the hair. Check the use label for recommended usage, and follow up with a conditioner to restore moisture to your hair.
- Chelating shampoos are available from most beauty supply stores or salons. Look for key words like “chelating” or “contains EDTA” when shopping for a chelating shampoo.
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Use a purple shampoo meant for platinum blonde and gray hair. These shampoos have a temporary color in them that will neutralize red tones. Combine a dollop of this shampoo with a tablespoon of baking soda and work it into your hair. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse it out.
- The baking soda will help remove any rust or iron already in your hair.
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Use lemon juice on your hair. Lemon juice is mildly acidic, which makes it perfect for getting rid of rust in your hair. Pour the lemon juice over your head and work it through your hair. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse your hair with warm water.
- Use lemon juice once weekly to combat rust in your hair.
- The volume of juice necessary for this treatment to be effective depends on the amount of rust in your hair. Apply enough lemon juice that all the areas of your hair are well coated with it.
- Lemon juice can be very drying, so make sure to use a moisturizing conditioner or hair mask immediately after finishing this treatment.
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Work warm coconut or olive oil into your hair. Warm the oil of your choice for several seconds in the microwave or on the stove. Work the oil into your scalp and hair, and massage it for about 30 minutes. Rinse your hair afterward to wash it out.
- Because the oil must be continuously massaged into the scalp for 30 minutes, you might want to enlist a friend to help you.
- The oil will soften the rust buildup in your hair.
- If you wish, you could wrap your head in a warm towel after applying the oil. This will help your pores open up, increasing the amount of rust you’ll be able to get rid of using the oil application.
- You could also put a shower cap over your hair and sit under a hooded dryer. This will work much the same way as wrapping your hair in a warm towel.
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Wash your hair with apple cider vinegar. This common pantry item works wonders for removing rusty buildup in your hair. You can use it either on its own or after washing with your regular shampoo. Pour the apple cider vinegar on your hair as close as possible to your scalp. Rub it into your scalp and hair with your hands. [3] X Research source
- After applying the vinegar, rinse your hair out with cold water to seal the cuticle.
- Your hair may smell faintly like vinegar after this treatment. Try using a leave-in conditioner to counteract the smell.
- You could use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
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Make a paste of vinegar and cream of tartar. Mix equal parts vinegar and cream of tartar. For instance, you might mix eight tablespoons of each together. Slather the mixture over your hair and wait 10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, rinse it out with cool water.
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Don’t use vinegar on your hair more than two or three times per month. Vinegar can dry your hair out, so you should only use it sparingly. After using vinegar, use a conditioner to return some moisture to your hair.
- If you’re particularly sensitive to the drying effects of vinegar, you could try a milder application by mixing equal parts vinegar and distilled water. This could then be used directly or mixed into a cream of tartar solution.
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Install a water filter in your home. There are two types of water filters that could help you get rid of rust in your hair. One type requires you to remove your old shower head and replace it with a new one equipped with a built-in filter. The other type (known as whole house filters) connects to your home’s water tank. [4] X Research source
- If you don’t own your own home (and therefore don’t have access to your water tank), a shower-based water filter is your best option.
- There are a wide variety of both kinds of filters. Specific directions for installation and use will vary depending on the product you buy. Consult manufacturer directions for more information.
- Check the filter you’re interested in to ensure it blocks or traps iron.
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Use distilled water to wash your hair. While you can continue using your regular shower water to bathe, switch to bottled water to wash your hair. While in the shower, pour a large bowl of distilled water over your head to wet your hair. Apply your shampoo and work it into a lather. When you’re ready to rinse your hair, pour another large bowl filled with distilled water over your head. [5] X Research source
- Instead of transferring it to a bowl, you could pour the water directly from a jug.
- Keep a jug of distilled water with a replaceable cap in your shower or bathroom.
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Wash your hair using cooler water temperatures. Cooler water temperatures will minimize the amount of iron that settles in your hair. Use warm and hot water to wash your body, then turn the water temperature down when washing and rinsing your hair. [6] X Research source
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Keep your hair dry when bathing. Don’t wet your hair unless you need to wash it. Wear a shower cap to prevent your hair from getting wet, or just keep your hair out of the water’s path when in the shower.
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Dry your hair quickly. Rust is caused by the reaction between the fine iron particles and water. The faster you dry your hair after bathing, the less likely it is that you’ll get rust in it. Use a blow dryer to speed the drying process along.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat is a Malibu treatment for your hair?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.Malibu treatment is a clarifying treatment that breaks down minerals and other types of buildup. It works on chlorine, rust, and calcium.
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QuestionHow do you get rid of rust?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.You'll need to use a product that breaks down iron (like vinegar) to get it out of your hair. You'll need a filter to remove it from your water.
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QuestionWhat is a chelating shampoo?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.A chelating shampoo is a product that contains strong acids to remove buildup from your hair. It is effective but harsh and should be followed with a deep conditioner.
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Tips
- The amount of shampoo or other product you apply to your hair depends on the length. The longer your hair, the more shampoo, vinegar, oil, or other cleansing material you’ll need.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about washing hair, check out our in-depth interview with Candice Ayers .
References
- ↑ https://thepioneerwoman.com/life-and-style/help-well-water-is-ruining-my-hair/
- ↑ https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curly-hair-care-methods/how-to-prevent-hair-build-up-from-hard-water/
- ↑ https://thepioneerwoman.com/life-and-style/help-well-water-is-ruining-my-hair/
- ↑ https://www.hairboutique.com/blogs_p/index.php/2009/02/04/hair-turning-orange-from-iron-water/
- ↑ https://www.hairboutique.com/blogs_p/index.php/2009/02/04/hair-turning-orange-from-iron-water/
- ↑ https://www.hairboutique.com/blogs_p/index.php/2009/02/04/hair-turning-orange-from-iron-water/
About This Article
Article Summary
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You can get rid of rust in your hair by using a few household items such as vinegar and lemon juice. To use lemon juice, apply enough to cover all of the areas of your hair. Work it in with your fingers so your hair is well coated and leave it in for 10 minutes before you rinse it out with warm water. You can also pour apple cider vinegar onto your hair where the rust is located and rub it into your scalp with your hands. Then, rinse your hair out with cold water to neutralize the acid and seal the cuticle. If that doesn’t work, make a paste of equal parts vinegar and cream of tartar and apply it into your hair. Leave it in for 10 minutes and then rinse it out with cool water. For tips about how to use a mineral-removal shampoo to get rid of rust in your hair, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "This story was extremely helpful to me, because my hair has turned orange from the rust from our well. We have a water-purifying system, but it was rendered out of commission due to a valve misplacement. I have blond streaks that are now orange. I will try the vinegar solution to see if it helps. It's so encouraging to have some answers for this problem!" ..." more
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"This story was extremely helpful to me, because my hair has turned orange from the rust from our well. We have a water-purifying system, but it was rendered out of commission due to a valve misplacement. I have blond streaks that are now orange. I will try the vinegar solution to see if it helps. It's so encouraging to have some answers for this problem!"
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"Going through the same issues. Bought a new home, but the water is either a dirty dark green or pure orange. Makes everything hard - appliances, cleaning, hair color. Stains on towels, clothes, the works. I will have to save for a whole house filtration system."
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"I'm so glad to know I can use ordinary non-toxic common household products to remove the iron stains from my naturally (never bleached or dyed) white hair. Might try lemons first. If unsuccessful, I'll go for the vinegar suggestions. Thank you so much!"
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"I didn't realize there were so many ways to try to keep iron at bay in your hair. Thank you very much for educating me, I am going to pass this info on to my daughter!"
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"The creme of tartar with either vinegar or lemon juice is a great way to remove rust from hair. It worked really well and didn't cost a lot of money. Thank you!"
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