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Unbelievable hair transformation: does laundry detergent really lighten your locks?

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • The bleach in laundry detergent is not as strong as the bleach in hair bleach, so it will take longer to see results.
  • If you are considering using laundry detergent to lighten your hair, it is important to do a test strand first.
  • If you are looking for a more effective way to lighten your hair, you can try using hair bleach or natural methods such as lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Does laundry detergent lighten hair?” you’re not alone. Many people have heard this rumor, but is there any truth to it? Can you really use laundry detergent to bleach your hair?

The Science Behind Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent is designed to remove stains and dirt from clothes. It contains a variety of ingredients, including surfactants, enzymes, and bleach. Bleach is a chemical that can lighten hair by breaking down the pigment in the hair shaft.

Does Laundry Detergent Contain Bleach?

Yes, some laundry detergents do contain bleach. However, the amount of bleach in laundry detergent is typically very small. This is because bleach can damage clothes if it is used in too high a concentration.

Can Laundry Detergent Lighten Hair?

Yes, laundry detergent can lighten hair, but it is not as effective as hair bleach. The bleach in laundry detergent is not as strong as the bleach in hair bleach, so it will take longer to see results. Additionally, laundry detergent can be harsh on hair, so it is important to use it sparingly.

How to Use Laundry Detergent to Lighten Hair

If you want to use laundry detergent to lighten your hair, you can follow these steps:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent with 1 cup of warm water.
2. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it on for 15-30 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair thoroughly with water.
4. Repeat the process until you achieve the desired level of lightness.

Cautions

It is important to note that using laundry detergent to lighten your hair can be damaging. The bleach in laundry detergent can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Additionally, laundry detergent can cause your hair to become frizzy and tangled.

If you are considering using laundry detergent to lighten your hair, it is important to do a test strand first. This will help you determine how your hair will react to the detergent and how long you should leave it on.

Other Ways to Lighten Hair

If you are looking for a more effective way to lighten your hair, you can try using hair bleach. Hair bleach is specifically designed to lighten hair, and it is much more effective than laundry detergent. However, hair bleach can also be damaging, so it is important to use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

You can also lighten your hair naturally using lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide. These methods are not as effective as hair bleach, but they are less damaging.

Key Points

Laundry detergent can lighten hair, but it is not as effective as hair bleach. Additionally, laundry detergent can be damaging to hair, so it is important to use it sparingly. If you are looking for a more effective way to lighten your hair, you can try using hair bleach or natural methods such as lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.

Questions You May Have

Q: Can I use any type of laundry detergent to lighten my hair?

A: No, not all laundry detergents contain bleach. You should only use laundry detergents that specifically state that they contain bleach.

Q: How long should I leave laundry detergent on my hair?

A: You should leave laundry detergent on your hair for 15-30 minutes. However, you should do a test strand first to determine how your hair will react to the detergent.

Q: Can I use laundry detergent to lighten my hair permanently?

A: No, laundry detergent will not lighten your hair permanently. The bleach in laundry detergent will only lighten your hair temporarily.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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