How to Bleach Hair with Clorox [Step by Step Process with Precautions]

As hair lightening and coloring are in trend these days, bleaching the hair is on the rise. With the increase in the number of people bleaching their hair, come multiple questions.

From the type of bleach to be used to the amount of it: queries are many. Among them, the use of Clorox is the most skeptical one.

The main reason why people consider using Clorox is due to its easy availability in households and the cheaper bleaching cost.

But, before using Clorox, there are many things that you need to consider. This article sums up everything that you need to know before bleaching your hair with Clorox.

Can you bleach hair with Clorox?

You can bleach your hair with Clorox, but it should be your absolute last option or none.

Also, if you love your hair immensely, then do not even consider doing that.

Clorox is a household bleach and, it’s better to use it for household work only. But as said earlier, it is not that you cannot bleach your hair with it.

With precise methods and precautions, it is possible. Still, there is no 100% guarantee of its safety.

Before going to the details on bleaching your hair with Clorox, let me tell you some basic information about it.

Clorox is chlorine-based household bleach. It is available in liquid form and, the chemical content of Clorox is high. It removes the stain either from a soft surface or a hard surface like tiles and marble floors. 

Why shouldn’t Clorox be the first option for bleaching your hair?

As already said, Clorox is chlorine-based liquid household bleach. The main content of Clorox is a high concentration of sodium hypochlorite. 

Whereas the hair bleach we use; contains hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in a cream form. These chemicals are what matter the most.

The creamy consistency of the regular hair bleach allows it to be applied to the hair only. Also, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in the hair bleach is low.

Also, if a small amount falls on our skin, it will not cause any burns and damage. It will be okay if we wash it off with water only.

But, with Clorox, this is not the scenario. The high concentration of sodium hypochlorite will over-process your hair, leaving it extremely damaged.

Not to mention the strong smell you get from the chemical processing of the hair. Also, as it is available in liquid form rather than cream bleach: it will over-process and burn your scalp as well.

Not only that, but, these chemicals are also mutagens and corrosive. Altogether, Clorox is not only harmful to the hair but also to the skin and eyes.

So there are many reasons why Clorox should not be the definite choice for bleaching the hair.

But still, if it is an absolute emergency or you want to bleach your wig, then there are ways by which you could use it. 

How to Bleach Hair with Clorox?

With precise precautionary methods and alertness, we can use Clorox to bleach the hair. But as said earlier, it should be your absolute last option. 

Items required:

1. Hydrogen peroxide
2. Baking soda
3. Shampoo and Conditioner 
4. Old towel
5. Gloves 
6. Ceramic bowl 
7. Plastic/ceramic spoon 
8. Hair clips
9. Shower cap

Step by step process:

1. The first step is to wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Then pat dry your hair with a towel.
2. Now, cover your shoulder and skin with an old towel or cloth. This step is essential as Clorox can damage the skin and fabric.
3. Put on gloves.
4. Now, add 250g of baking soda with three tablespoons of 3% of Clorox in a ceramic bowl. The use of a ceramic bowl is essential as Clorox may react with metal bowls.
5. Mix them together using a plastic/ceramic spoon. It is also to avoid the reaction with a metal spoon.
6. Part your hair into small sections with the help of a hair clip.
7. Finally, apply the paste to your hair and comb it thoroughly. It is to distribute the paste evenly in the hair. Also, make sure not to apply the paste to the scalp.
8. Now, using a shower cap, seal your hair to prevent it from dripping. Leave this for 25 to 30 minutes.
9. Rinse your hair with cold water and wash it with a conditioner. We don’t shampoo bleached hair right away to prevent further damage.
10. Lastly, dry your hair with a towel and leave it to air dry naturally.

Precautions to be taken while bleaching hair with Clorox

Below are the important precautions:

1. Strand test 

Perform a strand test before you bleach your entire hair. It will give you an idea about the color of the hair. And also about the processing time, a possible allergic reaction, and hair damage.

Steps to perform a strand test:

• Prepare bleach and baking soda mixture in a ceramic bowl. But before this, put on the gloves.
• Section two small parts of the hair that you want to test using a section clip. Always select the hair part that goes unnoticeable for precaution. 
• Now, apply the bleach mixture to the hair strand.
• Remove the bleach using a cloth from one of the sectioned hair strands every 5 to 10 minutes. After you check it, reapply the paste. By doing this, you will get an idea about the processing time. Also, never use your bare hand to remove the bleach.
• Leave the other strand of the hair for about 25 to 30 minutes and finally rinse with cold water. While washing, protect the test strand hair from mixing with the other hair to get accurate results.

2. Use a diluted solution of Clorox

The main reason why Clorox is not the choice of bleach for bleaching the hair is due to its high chemical concentration.

The high concentration of hydrogen peroxide process the hair fast, resulting in burns and damage. So, it is always a good idea to use 3% of Clorox or less.

3. Use protective gear like gloves and a towel

Gloves are the essentials so, always use chemical-proof latex gloves. Also, use an old towel or cloth to cover your shoulder and bare skin from chemical exposure.

4. Use ceramic/plastic bowls and spoons 

We use this to prevent the chemical reaction between the metal utensils and the bleach mixture. 

5. Avoid heat styling a week or two before and after bleaching

Here is the catch: bleaching damages your hair. And heat styling of any form further intensifies the damage.

So, avoiding heat styling a few weeks before and after the treatment is the best precaution.

6. Moisturize your hair

Start using hot hair oils every week, 2 to 3 weeks before the bleaching process. Also, apply hair oil the day before the bleaching day. You can also use a hair mask for moisturization and nourishment.

Pros and Cons of bleaching hair with Clorox

Pros:

• Clorox is an easily available bleach. It is almost always available in your house, or you can probably get it from your local store.
• Bleaching with Clorox will definitely save you the time that you spend in salons.
• You will save some extra bucks.
• It can bleach the hair in an emergency condition and can bleach the wig.

Cons:

• There is a high chance that your hair will get damaged and, the scalp might burn.
• Also, you may burn your clothes and other body parts.
• You might have to go bald if your hair gets severely damaged.
• The small saving that you get by using Clorox is not worth the damage.
• The hair processing will produce a strong smell that may cause breathing difficulties.

Conclusion:

Clorox being a household bleach is not a better option for bleaching hair. Its chemical composition is what made all the difference. But despite this, Clorox can bleach the hair. Bleaching hair with Clorox needs a precise method and extreme precaution.

It is definitely not a wise choice if you are new in this scenario and planning to bleach. Also, an experienced person should always be aware of the circumstances. So, a professional consultation is always a better option.