How to Get Chlorine Out of Your Hair in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

Swimming is one of the best full-body workouts, but it does come with a small drawback: the stubborn bond between chlorine and your hair. Chlorine can strip natural oils, make hair brittle and dry, cause split ends, and in some cases even turn lighter hair green. The good news? With the right pre- and post-swim care, you can keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant no matter how often you swim.

In this guide from the SwimOutlet swim team, we'll explain exactly how chlorine damages hair, how to prevent it, the best ways to remove chlorine after your swim, and how to repair hair that's already been affected.

How Does Chlorine Damage Hair?

Understanding what chlorine does to your hair helps you protect it more effectively. Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant — essential for keeping pool water safe — but that same disinfecting action affects your hair in several ways:

• Strips natural oils (sebum) — Your scalp produces natural oils that coat and protect each hair strand, locking in moisture and providing a smooth, flexible surface. Chlorine dissolves these oils on contact, leaving hair unprotected, dry, and prone to damage.
• Weakens hair proteins — Chlorine bonds to the keratin proteins in your hair and oxidizes them over time. This weakens the hair structure, making strands more porous, brittle, and prone to breakage and split ends.
• Fades color-treated hair — Chlorine reacts with hair dye molecules, causing color to fade faster than normal. Blonde highlights can turn brassy, and darker colors can lose vibrancy.
• Causes "swimmer's hair" — Repeated chlorine exposure without proper care leads to a condition known as "swimmer's hair" — chronically dry, frizzy, tangled hair that feels straw-like and looks dull. This is most common in competitive swimmers who train daily.

Why Does Chlorine Turn Hair Green?

Contrary to popular belief, chlorine alone doesn't turn hair green. The green tint is actually caused by copper and other metals (iron, manganese) that are commonly present in pool water. When chlorine oxidizes these metals, they form colored compounds that bond to hair proteins — especially in lighter, bleached, or very porous hair. The more porous your hair (from chemical treatments, heat damage, or chlorine exposure itself), the more readily it absorbs these metal deposits.

Step 1: Wet Your Hair Before Swimming

Before you dive into the pool, thoroughly wet your hair with clean, non-chlorinated water. Think of your hair like a sponge — once it's already saturated with fresh water, it has much less capacity to absorb chlorinated pool water. This single step can reduce chlorine absorption by a significant amount and is the easiest thing you can do to protect your hair.

Extra protection tip: After wetting your hair, apply a layer of leave-in conditioner or coconut oil before entering the pool. This creates a water-resistant barrier between your hair and the chlorine, adding a second layer of defense. The conditioner fills in gaps in the hair cuticle and coats the strand, physically blocking chlorine from bonding to the hair protein.

Step 2: Wear a Swim Cap

For maximum protection, wear a swim cap. A well-fitted cap creates a physical barrier that shields your hair from direct chlorine contact. While no swim cap keeps hair 100% dry (some water seeps in at the edges), it dramatically reduces the amount of chlorinated water your hair absorbs.

Tips for best results:

• Wet your hair first — the cap slides on much easier over wet hair.
• Tuck all of your hair inside the cap, especially around the edges and nape of the neck.
• Apply conditioner or oil to your hair before putting the cap on for a combined protection strategy.
• Silicone caps provide a tighter seal than latex caps and are more durable. See our swim cap guide for help choosing.

No Swim Cap? Protect Your Hair with Hairstyles

If you prefer not to wear a cap, minimize chlorine exposure by keeping your hair contained:

• Tight bun — Keeps the maximum amount of hair away from the water surface.
• Braid(s) — Braided hair is harder for chlorine to fully penetrate, since inner strands are shielded by outer ones.
• High ponytail — Keeps hair above the water line during activities where your head stays mostly above water (water aerobics, casual swimming).

Step 3: Wash Your Hair Immediately After Swimming

This is the most important step. As soon as you finish swimming, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water and wash it with a clarifying or chlorine-removal shampoo. These specialized shampoos contain ingredients (like vitamin C, EDTA, or sodium thiosulfate) that neutralize and remove chlorine that has bonded to your hair — something regular shampoos are not designed to do.

Why regular shampoo isn't enough: Standard shampoos are formulated to break up oils, not chlorine. Since chlorine isn't an oil, regular shampoo won't fully remove it. Over time, this leads to chlorine buildup that causes cumulative damage. A swimmer-specific or clarifying shampoo is worth the investment if you swim more than once a week.

After shampooing, always follow with a moisturizing conditioner to replenish the natural oils that chlorine stripped away. Focus the conditioner on your mid-lengths and ends, where damage is typically worst.

Critical rule: Never let chlorine dry in your hair. If you can't do a full wash right away, at minimum rinse thoroughly with fresh water immediately after leaving the pool. Chlorine that dries on your hair becomes much harder to remove and causes more damage.

Step 4: Try Natural Remedies

If you prefer a natural approach, or if you forgot to bring swimmer's shampoo, household remedies can help remove chlorine from your hair:

• Apple cider vinegar rinse — Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 4 parts water. Pour over your hair, let it sit for 2–3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The acidity helps break down chlorine bonds and restore your hair's natural pH balance.
• Baking soda paste — Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water (or make a thicker paste with less water for targeted application to green-tinged sections). Apply to your hair, massage gently, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse. Baking soda's alkalinity helps lift chlorine and metal deposits.
• Lemon juice soak — Soak hair in real lemon juice for 5 minutes, then wash and condition as normal. The citric acid (a form of vitamin C) neutralizes chlorine on contact.
• Vitamin C treatment — Crush 5–6 vitamin C tablets (ascorbic acid) and dissolve in water to create a spray or rinse. Vitamin C is one of the most effective chlorine neutralizers available.

Important: All natural remedies should be followed with your regular conditioner, as they can be drying on their own. These work best as occasional treatments, not daily replacements for proper swimmer's shampoo.

Step 5: Deep Condition and Repair

If you swim frequently (3+ times per week), your hair needs regular deep conditioning treatments to counteract the cumulative drying effects of chlorine exposure. Once a week, apply a deep conditioning mask or hair oil treatment:

• Apply a thick layer of deep conditioner or hair mask to damp (not dripping wet) hair.
• Leave it on for 15–30 minutes (or overnight for severely damaged hair, using a shower cap to protect your pillowcase).
• Rinse thoroughly and style as normal.
• Coconut oil, argan oil, and olive oil all work well as natural deep-conditioning alternatives.

For hair that already shows signs of chlorine damage (dry, brittle, straw-like texture, green tint), a protein treatment can help rebuild weakened hair structure. Look for treatments containing keratin or hydrolyzed wheat protein, which help repair the protein bonds that chlorine has degraded.

Special Considerations for Color-Treated Hair

If you have dyed, highlighted, or chemically treated hair, you need to be especially vigilant about chlorine protection. Color-treated hair is already more porous than virgin hair, meaning it absorbs chlorine (and metal deposits) faster and more deeply. To protect your color:

• Always wear a swim cap — this is non-negotiable for colored hair.
• Apply leave-in conditioner or coconut oil as a barrier before every swim.
• Wash with a color-safe clarifying shampoo immediately after swimming.
• Use a purple shampoo if you have blonde or lightened hair that has taken on a green or brassy tint — the violet pigment neutralizes the unwanted color.
• Schedule color treatments for after your heavy swimming period when possible, since chlorine will fade color faster.
• Never sit in the sun with chlorine still in your hair — UV exposure accelerates both chlorine damage and color fading.

Step 6: Dry Your Hair the Right Way

How you dry your hair after swimming matters almost as much as how you wash it:

• Air dry whenever possible — This is the gentlest option. Let your hair dry naturally while you change and pack up your gear.
• Avoid blow dryers — Chlorine-exposed hair is already dehydrated. Adding heat from a blow dryer makes it worse. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and keep it at a distance.
• Use a microfiber towel — Microfiber is much gentler than cotton terry cloth. It absorbs water efficiently without the rough friction that causes frizz and breakage in weakened hair.
• Don't rub — blot — Gently squeeze or blot your hair with the towel rather than rubbing vigorously.
• Detangle carefully — Use a wide-tooth comb or wet-hair detangling brush, starting from the ends and working up. Chlorine-damaged hair is weaker and more prone to snapping when pulled.

Step 7: Rinse Your Swimsuit

Don't forget to rinse your swimsuit after swimming too. Chlorine lingers in swimsuit fabric and continues to affect your skin and hair the next time you wear it. A quick rinse with cold, clean water extends the life of your swimwear and keeps chlorine residue from transferring back to your body. For detailed swimsuit care, see our best swimsuits guide which includes fabric care tips.

A Note About Saltwater Pools

Many swimmers assume saltwater pools are chlorine-free, but this isn't the case. Saltwater pools use a salt-chlorine generator that converts dissolved salt into chlorine through electrolysis. The chlorine levels are typically lower than traditional pools, but chlorine is still present and can still damage your hair over time. Follow the same protection and removal steps for saltwater pools as you would for any chlorinated pool.

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FAQs

How do I get chlorine out of my hair?

Rinse your hair with clean water immediately after swimming, then wash with a chlorine-removal or clarifying shampoo. Follow with a moisturizing conditioner. For a natural option, rinse with a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water, or apply a crushed vitamin C tablet dissolved in water. The key is to never let chlorine dry in your hair — rinse as soon as you exit the pool.

Does chlorine turn hair green?

Chlorine alone doesn't turn hair green. The green tint is caused by copper and other metals in pool water that become oxidized by chlorine. These oxidized metals bond to hair proteins, especially in lighter, bleached, or porous hair. To remove the green tint, try a baking soda paste or a purple (violet-toned) shampoo designed for blonde hair.

Should I wet my hair before swimming?

Yes — this is one of the most effective protection steps. Hair acts like a sponge: once it's saturated with clean water, it absorbs significantly less chlorinated pool water. For even better protection, apply leave-in conditioner or coconut oil to your wet hair before entering the pool.

Does a swim cap protect my hair from chlorine?

A swim cap is the single most effective way to protect your hair from chlorine. While no cap keeps hair 100% dry (some water seeps in at the edges), it dramatically reduces chlorine exposure. Silicone caps provide a tighter seal than latex. For best results, wet your hair and apply conditioner before putting on the cap. See our swim cap guide for help choosing the right cap.

Can regular shampoo remove chlorine from hair?

Not effectively. Regular shampoo is designed to break up oils, not chlorine. Chlorine bonds to hair proteins in a way that standard shampoo can't fully address. Over time, this leads to chlorine buildup and cumulative damage. If you swim more than once a week, use a swimmer-specific shampoo or clarifying shampoo containing ingredients like vitamin C, EDTA, or sodium thiosulfate that are formulated to neutralize chlorine.

How do I protect color-treated hair from chlorine?

Always wear a swim cap, apply leave-in conditioner as a barrier before swimming, wash with a color-safe clarifying shampoo immediately after, and use purple shampoo to counteract any green or brassy tones in lighter hair. Never sit in the sun with chlorine still in your hair — UV accelerates both chlorine damage and color fading. Schedule color appointments after periods of heavy swimming when possible.

Do saltwater pools damage hair?

Yes. Saltwater pools still contain chlorine — they use a salt-chlorine generator that converts salt into chlorine through electrolysis. The chlorine concentration is typically lower than traditional pools, but it's still present and can still strip natural oils from your hair. Follow the same protection and care routine you would for any chlorinated pool.

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This guide is written and maintained by the SwimOutlet swim team. For more swimming gear and care resources, explore our swim cap guide, goggles guide, and best swimsuits guide.