Getting hairspray out of your locks can be a sticky situation! Those stubborn residues often lead to dull, stiff hair that feels anything but natural.
Whether you’ve gone overboard with styling or just need a thorough cleanse after a special event, there are plenty of ways to restore your hair’s natural bounce and shine.
1. Clarifying Shampoo Magic
Specially formulated to cut through product buildup, clarifying shampoo works wonders on hairspray residue. Apply a quarter-sized amount to wet hair and massage thoroughly into your scalp and strands.
Rinse completely and repeat if necessary for extremely stubborn buildup.
2. Baking Soda Paste
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to create a smooth paste. Massage this natural solution into damp hair, focusing on areas with the most hairspray residue.
The mild abrasive quality helps break down the sticky compounds without harsh chemicals.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Saturate your hair after shampooing, let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Don’t worry about the vinegar smell—it disappears once your hair dries, leaving strands clean and shiny!
4. Dish Soap Treatment
Grab that grease-fighting dish soap from your kitchen! Apply a small amount to wet hair and work into a lather. The powerful degreasing agents break down hairspray polymers effectively.
Follow with conditioner since dish soap can be drying to hair.
5. Coconut Oil Soak
Warm two tablespoons of coconut oil between your palms until liquefied. Work through dry hair from roots to ends, focusing on areas with the most buildup. Cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes.
The oil breaks down hairspray while conditioning your strands.
6. Club Soda Spray
Fill a spray bottle with club soda and thoroughly spritz your hair. The carbonation helps dissolve the sticky hairspray residue without harsh chemicals.
Massage gently with your fingertips, then rinse with warm water. Your hair will feel lighter instantly!
7. Lemon Juice Solution
Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a cup of warm water. Pour this acidic mixture through your hair after shampooing, letting it sit for 2-3 minutes.
The natural citric acid breaks down hairspray residue while adding shine to dull locks. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
8. Baby Oil Technique
Apply a small amount of baby oil to your fingertips and gently work it through dry hair. Focus on areas with visible hairspray buildup.
Let it sit for 15 minutes before shampooing as usual. The oil dissolves the sticky polymers effectively.
9. Beer Hair Rinse
Pour flat, room-temperature beer over freshly washed hair. The malt and hops contain enzymes that break down stubborn hairspray residue.
Massage gently, then rinse with cool water. Despite initial concerns, your hair won’t smell like a brewery afterward!
10. Dryer Sheet Hack
Run a new dryer sheet over dry hair from roots to ends. The anti-static properties help neutralize the sticky compounds in hairspray.
This quick fix works especially well for light hairspray application when you’re on the go. No water needed!
11. Steam Treatment
Hang your head over a bowl of hot water, covering both with a towel to trap steam. The moisture softens hardened hairspray, making it easier to remove.
After 10 minutes of steaming, shampoo as usual. The heat helps open hair cuticles for deeper cleaning.
12. Vodka Spray Solution
Mix one part vodka with two parts water in a spray bottle. The alcohol in vodka dissolves hairspray without the harsh effects of rubbing alcohol.
Spritz onto affected areas, wait five minutes, then shampoo normally. This works particularly well on extra-firm hold formulas.
13. Mayonnaise Mask
Smooth real mayonnaise through dry hair, coating strands thoroughly. The combination of eggs and oil breaks down hairspray while conditioning damaged hair.
Cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes before washing out completely. Weird but effective!
14. Hot Oil Treatment
Warm olive or jojoba oil slightly, then massage into dry hair. The heated oil penetrates the hairspray barrier more effectively than room-temperature products.
Wrap your head in a warm towel for 30 minutes before shampooing twice. Your hair will feel silky smooth.
15. Aspirin Scrub
Crush six aspirin tablets and mix with a tablespoon of shampoo. The salicylic acid in aspirin breaks down product buildup remarkably well.
Massage into wet hair, focusing on problem areas. Let it sit for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
16. Professional Detox Treatment
Visit a salon for a specialized hair detox when home remedies fall short. Professional-grade products contain enzymes specifically designed to break down styling product buildup.
The treatment usually takes about 30 minutes and leaves hair completely refreshed.