Pool Chemicals That Turn Blonde Hair Green (And How to Fix It)

Every summer, parents across Perth notice the same distressing phenomenon: their children emerge from the pool with blonde hair tinged an unmistakable shade of green. While chlorine often gets the blame, the reality is more nuanced—and understanding the true culprits can help you prevent this cosmetic nightmare altogether.

The dreaded green tinge that haunts blonde swimmers

The Real Culprit: Copper, Not Chlorine

Here's the truth that surprises most pool owners: chlorine itself doesn't turn hair green. The actual villain is copper—a metal that binds to the protein structure of hair and oxidises to create that characteristic green colour. Think of it like the patina on the Statue of Liberty or an old copper roof.

Copper finds its way into pool water through several pathways. Cheap algaecides often contain copper sulphate as their active ingredient, and while they're effective at killing algae, they leave dissolved copper behind. Bore water, which many Perth households use to top up their pools, is frequently high in copper and other metals. Even your pool equipment can contribute—corroding copper heat exchangers, brass fittings, and copper pipes all slowly leach the metal into your water.

The Phosphate Remover Problem

Here's something many pool owners don't realise: some phosphate removers are a significant source of copper contamination. Many lanthanum-based phosphate removers contain copper compounds as part of their formulation. While they excel at removing phosphates (which starve algae of nutrients), they can inadvertently add copper to your water.

This creates a frustrating cycle—you're trying to prevent algae naturally, but you may be setting up conditions for green hair syndrome. The solution isn't to stop using phosphate removers, but to choose copper-free formulations. Lo-Chlor Starver M is specifically designed to remove phosphates without introducing copper, making it the smart choice for households with blonde swimmers.

Water Chemistry Issues That Make It Worse

Certain water chemistry conditions accelerate copper's ability to bind to hair and create that green tinge:

Low pH levels are perhaps the biggest aggravating factor. When your pool water drops below pH 7.2, it becomes corrosive and starts aggressively attacking any copper-containing components in your system. This dissolves copper into the water at a much faster rate. Simultaneously, acidic conditions make it easier for copper ions to bind to hair proteins.

Unbalanced alkalinity works hand-in-hand with pH problems. Low total alkalinity (below 80 ppm) makes your pH unstable and prone to dropping, which circles back to the corrosion problem.

High chlorine levels oxidise dissolved copper, which actually intensifies its colour-staining potential. That super-chlorinated water after a shock treatment? It's primed to turn blonde hair green if copper is present.

Prevention: The Best Defence

Preventing green hair is far easier than treating it. Here's your prevention strategy:

Keep your water chemistry balanced. Maintain pH between 7.4 and 7.6, total alkalinity between 80-120 ppm, and ensure your water isn't corrosive. Regularly test your water and adjust as needed—your pool shop can help if you're unsure.

Use a quality metal remover. If you have bore water, copper equipment, or have used copper-based algaecides in the past, treat your pool with Lo-Chlor Metal Solution. This sequesters dissolved metals and prevents them from binding to hair (or staining your pool surfaces). Add it weekly as part of your maintenance routine, especially during heavy swimming season.

Avoid copper-based algaecides. Choose copper-free alternatives like Lo-Chlor Algae Knockout or Lo-Chlor Tropiclear. These quaternary ammonium-based algaecides are highly effective without the copper risk.

Pre-swim protection. Wet hair thoroughly with tap water before swimming. Hair is like a sponge—if it's already saturated with clean water, it absorbs less pool water and therefore less copper. Applying a leave-in conditioner before swimming creates an additional protective barrier.

Post-swim rinse. Rinse hair immediately after swimming with fresh water. The sooner you remove copper-laden pool water, the less time it has to oxidise and bind permanently.

Treatment: When Prevention Fails

Already dealing with green hair? Don't panic. Several treatments can restore your natural colour:

Clarifying and chelating shampoos are purpose-built for this problem. Look for swimmer's shampoos containing EDTA or other chelating agents—these molecules bind to metal ions and wash them away. Popular options include UltraSwim Chlorine Removal Shampoo, Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo, and Triswim. Use these shampoos immediately after swimming, and consider them for regular use during swimming season.

Vitamin C treatment is another effective approach. Crush several vitamin C tablets, mix with shampoo to form a paste, and work through wet hair. Leave for five minutes before rinsing. The ascorbic acid reduces the oxidised copper compounds, releasing them from the hair shaft.

Apple cider vinegar rinse works similarly to the ketchup method. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water, apply to hair, leave for several minutes, then rinse and shampoo. The acidity helps dissolve copper deposits.

Baking soda paste can help in mild cases. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, apply to affected areas, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse. This works best as a follow-up treatment after other methods.

Long-Term Pool Care for Blonde Swimmers

If you have blonde swimmers in your household, consider making these products part of your regular pool maintenance routine:

• Lo-Chlor Metal Solution — Weekly maintenance dose to sequester any copper or iron in your water
• Lo-Chlor Starver M — Copper-free phosphate remover for algae prevention
• Lo-Chlor Tropiclear — Non-copper algaecide for ongoing protection

Test your water regularly and address any pH drift promptly. If you're using bore water to top up your pool, have it tested for metal content—you may need to treat each top-up with metal sequestrant.