At Home DIY Rust Removal Treatment – Better Than Malibu in a Salon

hair rust removal diy

Many years ago, a hair dresser told me to use Kool-Aid Lemonade on my hair to remove the rust buildup. Living in the country and having well water, my hair gets to looking quite rusty sometimes.

The treatment is really very simple and VERY affordable too!

What I use is:

  • 2 packs of Kool-Aid Lemonade (yellow, not pink)
  • About 2 Tablespoons of conditioner (the same one I use daily)
  • About 2 ounces of water

Once I have all ingredients mixed well, I apply it to slightly damp hair. I wrap my hair in a plastic bag and then wrap a towel around my head to help contain body heat. Containing body heat helps the treatment process better and deeper.

Leave the treatment on your hair for 30 minutes (I leave it for 30 minutes because my hair is VERY rusty)

Here are the results I had just this morning.

 

The difference is HUGE.

Do you have problems with rust buildup in your hair? Do you have an “at home” treatment you use? I’d love to hear.

About Gayla

24 Responses to “At Home DIY Rust Removal Treatment – Better Than Malibu in a Salon”

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  1. Michelle Hoyer Heath says:

    Thanks, I'll give this a try. Just had a malibu treatment at a salon and still have rust stained hair.

  2. Louise Smith says:

    I used to do this when lived on farm. Works good..

  3. Monica says:

    Going to the store to buy some kool-aid, can’t wait to try this. Been all over the web, looking for a inexpensive treatment for my hair. This is the best homemade treatment i found so far. Hope it works for me, like it did for you!

  4. Windy says:

    I have hard well water and my uncle whos a barber suggested i crush a couple vitamin c tablet ( buy a bottle from the dollar store he said ) disolve it in a spoon of hot water and mix into my shampoo. Then rinse and condition as usual.

  5. Shonda Edgerle says:

    DO NOT DO THIS TO VERY BLONDE/PLATINUM HAIR!! IT WILL TURN BRIGHT YELLOW, THE COLOR OF A CRAYON!!

    • Gayla says:

      Good to know. I am more of a medium blonde. I can imagine this would be a problem for platinum blondes.

    • xtina says:

      It’s possible you need another go at it, or leave in longer… orange (rust) will fade to yellow first then to the palest blonde. My hair ends were awful orange from rust but I tried one at home treatment but only left it in for a few minutes and they’re now yellow. So, that tells me I can do it again, maybe only spot treat the ends that need it.

  6. Jodie says:

    I just tried this treatment tonight. It feel lighter and softer. Thank you

  7. Nikki says:

    I did this treatment and it worked great!!!

  8. Cathy says:

    OMG! MIND BLOWN! This actually worked! I am shocked at how well, actually. I used a shower cap and blasted it with a hot dryer for a few minutes a couple of times and wrapped it back up in the towel. I can’t wait for people to notice so I can tell them how I did it! Thank you!

    • Gayla says:

      I am SO glad it worked for you too! I have sworn by this treatment for several years. You’ll have to let me know if people take notice and what they say. I love seeing the faces of people when I tell them my little DIY tricks 🙂

  9. Deborah Geelhood says:

    So it’s not actually removing rust, but possibly turning orange color to yellow for blondes? I have white hair and our home is on a well. Looking for something to get the rust out!

    • Gayla says:

      Citrus actually does remove rust due to the acidic properties. I am not sure about white hair though – I would want to hear from someone who had tried it and see what they say. I can only confirm it does work on blonde.

  10. Sharon Kehler says:

    I have dark brown hair, and i am coloring it very light ash brown. I am wondering if this treatment will help my stylist remove the darker color job a little easier. All i know is the last time she had to remove black hair color, she toned and threw a malibu treatment in as well. You think this will help out?

  11. Susanne says:

    Hi Gayla,
    Lemon juice and conditioner also works very well.

  12. Andrea says:

    I was impressed by this and will definitely use it again in the future! I doubled it, as I have pretty long hair and it worked fantastic, thank you!!!

  13. Tammie says:

    I can’t wait to try this, my hair is orange & i miss my blonde hair. My curls are gone too! I got a filter for my shower & I’ve been using the purple shampoo. Im getting the lemonade tomorrow!

  14. Jana D says:

    My hair was looking terrible. Since hair salons are currently closed due to COVID-19 I found this online and figured I’d give it a try. Oh my goodness! This simple treatment worked wonders on my hair! How frequently can/should this be done? 🥰

    • Gayla says:

      I am not a hair dresser – all I can tell you is what I do myself. As long as I use a good conditioner, I do this once a week, twice if I have been to the lakes. I have always used a conditioner after I shampoo and then use Nexxus Humectress Conditioner or the Sally’s brand as a leave-in conditioner before I dry and style.
      Glad it worked for you.

  15. Jennie says:

    This worked excellent for me too! I am amazed. So easy inexpensive and the answer I have been looking for, for years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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