How to Remove Chlorine From the Hair & Body

Chlorine acts as a disinfectant in swimming pool water, killing the bacteria responsible for a host of diseases. According to the American Chemistry Council, the chlorine in pool water requires daily testing to ensure that the water-to-chemical ratio is in check 1. Despite its benefits, chlorine can be very drying to the hair and skin, so you should shower to remove the chlorine from your hair and body after swimming.

Remove your swimsuit immediately after you have finished swimming and step into the shower. Mix 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1/2 cup of water in a disposable cup. Put the cup in the shower for later use as a hair rinse.

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Rinse your hair and body with warm water in the shower. Pour a quarter-sized amount of protein-based shampoo into the palm of your hand.

Massage the shampoo into your hair and scalp. Rinse the shampoo from your hair with water from the shower.

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Pour the vinegar and water in the disposable cup onto your hair ends. Allow the vinegar to sit on your ends for five minutes. Rinse the vinegar and water solution from your hair after the five-minute waiting period.

Lather up your skin with your favorite soap or liquid body wash to remove the chlorine from your skin. Rinse the soap and chlorine residue away with water from the shower.

Tips

Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair after washing if you find that your hair is dry after swimming. You may also want to apply a deep conditioner to your hair once a week to add moisture.

Warnings

Wear a swimming cap if you have light colored hair and swim in a chlorinated pool regularly. Blonde hair that lacks protection from chlorine can turn green. If this happens, you will need to use a chlorine removal shampoo to remove the green.