How to Make Your Hair Lighter With Oranges and Lemons

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 5, 2022

When it comes to naturally lightening your hair, citric acid is one of the most effective options. In particular, lemon works as an all-natural bleach for natural blonde and light brown hair. Orange juice isn't as effective, but it can be used to help remove product buildup from your hair so it looks lighter and brighter. To use lemons and oranges to lighten your hair, you need to mix the juice with other ingredients to help protect your hair from the drying effects of the citric acid. Fortunately, you may already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen, so you can whip up these sprays whenever you want lighter, fresher hair.

Ingredients

Simple Lemon Lightening Spray

1 cup (237 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 cup (237 ml) warm water

All Natural Lemon Lightening Spray

½ cup (118 ml) chamomile tea
Juice from 3 lemons
1 teaspoon (3 g) cinnamon
Squirt of honey
1 teaspoon (4.5 g) coconut oil
Warm, distilled water, to fill

Citrus Brightening Removal Spray

¼ cup (59 ml) club soda
¼ cup (59 ml) fresh orange juice
¼ cup (59 ml) fresh lemon juice
¼ cup (59 ml) fresh grapefruit juice
1 drop sage essential oil

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing Simple Lemon Lightening Spray

1
Mix the lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Add 1 cup (237 ml) of lemon juice and 1 cup (237 ml) of warm water to a spray bottle. Shake the bottle vigorously to ensure the ingredients are fully combined.^{[1]
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- You need a spray bottle that holds at least 16 ounces (473 ml)
- While fresh lemon juice is best for the spray, you can use a bottled variety as long as it’s pure juice.
- Because lemon is so acidic, it can dry out your hair even when it’s diluted with water. If you have dry or damaged hair, add 2 to 3 teaspoons (10 to 15 g) of your conditioner or a hair oil to the lemon mixture for extra hydration.
2
Spray over your hair. Once you’ve mixed the ingredients, apply the lemon lightening spray to your hair. Work it through with your fingers or a comb to ensure that it’s evenly distributed.^{[2]
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- If you prefer to use the lightening spray to create a highlighted effect, only apply the spray to strategic sections of your hair.
3
Sit in the sun for a couple of hours. After you’ve applied the spray to your hair, heat helps accelerate the lightening process. Go out in the sun for one to three hours to allow the warmth to help lighten your hair.^{[3]
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- The longer time you spend in the sun, the lighter your hair will end up.
- If you don’t want to sit in the sun, place a shower cap or plastic wrap over your hair after you spray it to generate some heat.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Mixing Up All Natural Lemon Lightening Spray

1
Pour the chamomile tea into a spray bottle. Add ½ cup (118 ml) of chamomile tea to a spray bottle. For the best results, make sure that the tea has brewed for at least 5 minutes.^{[4]
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- Make sure that the spray bottle holds at least 8 ounces.
- Like the lemon juice, chamomile can help naturally bring out the lighter tones in hair.
2
Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Add the juice from 3 lemons, 1 teaspoon (3 g) of cinnamon, a squirt of honey, and 1 teaspoon (4.5 g) of coconut oil to the spray bottle. Give the bottle a light shake to partially blend the ingredients.^{[5]
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- Cinnamon contains natural peroxide, and honey undergoes a chemical reaction when mixed with water that helps it serve as a lightening agent.
- Coconut oil provides moisture to help counter the drying nature of the lemon juice. If your hair is particularly dry and dehydrated, you may want to add an extra teaspoon of coconut oil for a total of 2 teaspoons (9 g).
When all of the other ingredients are in the spray bottle, add enough warm, distilled water to fill it. Shake the bottle vigorously to ensure that all of the ingredients are completely mixed.^{[6]
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4
Mist the spray over your hair. To lighten your hair, spray the mixture over your hair where you want to lighten it. You can apply it before you plan to spend time outside in the sun or before you go to bed to lighten your hair overnight.^{[7]
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- If you plan to use the lightening spray while you sleep, wear a shower cap to keep your sheets from getting bleached. Rinse the spray out of your hair in the morning.
- You can give your hair an ombre effect by only applying the spray to the ends of your hair.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating Citrus Brightening Spray

1
Combine the water and juices in a spray bottle. Add ¼ cup (59 ml) of club soda, ¼ cup (59 ml) of fresh orange juice, ¼ cup (59 ml) of fresh lemon juice, and ¼ cup (59 ml) of fresh grapefruit juice to a spray bottle. Shake the bottle lightly to mix the liquids.^{[8]
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- You can substitute lime juice if you’re out of lemon juice.
- Because the spray contains an essential oil, it’s best to use a glass spray bottle. Essential oils can break down easily in plastic containers.
2
Add the essential oil. When the water and juices are combined, mix in 1 drop of sage essential oil. Shake the bottle vigorously to ensure that the oil is fully incorporated.^{[9]
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- You can find sage essential oil at health food stores and organic grocery stores.
Mist your hair with the spray, and use your fingers or a comb to work it through so all of the strands are evenly coated. Allow the spray to sit on your hair for two to four minutes.^{[10]
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4
Wash your hair. After the spray has soaked into your hair for several minutes, shampoo your hair as your normally would. Follow up with your usual conditioner.^{[11]
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- Use the spray every two weeks for brighter, lighter hair. If your hair is extremely dry, use it once every three weeks.
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Community Q&A

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Question

It is healthy for your hair to use store-bought lemon juice to lighten it?

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Top Answerer

Yes, any lemon juice will work for this technique of hair lightening. If you feel uncomfortable using store-bought lemon juice, then feel free to make your own using lemons.

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Does this work with black hair?

Community Answer

Yes, though it may take many applications to get visible lightening.

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If its cloudy outside, should I wait for a bright sunny day to do it?

Community Answer

Yes. The sunnier it is, the better it will work.

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Tips

Natural lightening methods, such as those that use citrus juice, only work on natural blonde and light ashy brown hair.

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Because citric acid can dry out your hair, it’s a good idea to use a deep conditioner a day or two after you lighten your hair.

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Warnings

If you are a brunette, lightening with citrus juice can actually bring out orange or brassy tones in your hair.

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If you are allergic to citrus fruit, do not use any of these lightening methods.

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