Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Wash and section your hair
• Part 2 of 4: Mixing the pasta
• Part 3 of 4: Applying the paste
• Part 4 of 4: Removing the paste
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda will make your hair lighter than using hydrogen peroxide alone. This is because you make a paste with baking soda that dries out less quickly. Plus, baking soda also helps lighten your hair. Before bleaching your hair, wash it and divide it into sections that you secure with clips. Then prepare the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste and apply it to your hair. Finally, rinse your hair and let it air dry.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Wash and section your hair

1. Wash your hair just before bleaching. Your hair should be as clean as possible when you apply the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste so that both substances can penetrate your hair. Use your normal shampoo and conditioner to wash away dirt and grease. After shampooing, do not apply any other products to your hair as a leave-in conditioner and styling cream.
   • You should not have products and grease in your hair, as this will prevent the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste from penetrating your hair.
2. Let your hair air dry until it is slightly damp. Your hair will absorb the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste better when it is damp rather than wet. In most cases, you will need to let your hair dry for about half an hour. However, you may not have to wait that long if you have fine hair. Thick hair may take a little longer to dry.
   • Don't try to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer, as the heat will damage your hair. It is best to leave your hair alone because you are about to bleach it, which can also damage your hair.
3. Wear an old T-shirt and put an old towel around your shoulders. Since hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabrics, it's best to wear old clothes and use towels to protect your skin. Choose items you don't mind getting screwed up in case they get stained.
   • Another option is to protect your skin with a hairdressing cape or even a garbage bag that you cut holes in for your head and arms.
   • Cover your work area with newspaper, old towels or trash bags to protect it from the paste. The hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste doesn't stain like hair dyes, but it can discolor some surfaces.

   Tip: if you often bleach or dye your hair, it is a good idea to buy a hairdressing cape to protect your skin and clothing. A hairdressing cape is quite cheap and you can buy it online or at a drugstore.

   
   
4. Divide your hair into four equal sections. Part your hair in the center to divide it into two sections. Then divide your hair from ear to ear so that you get four sections. Then secure the sections with barrettes until you are ready to bleach them.
   • If you have thick hair, it might be a good idea to divide your hair into even more sections. With six to eight sections, it may be easier to apply the paste evenly.
   • If you only want to create highlights in the top layer of your hair, you may not need to create sections.

Part 2 of 4: Mixing the pasta

1. Put on gloves to protect your skin. Gloves are not required, but your skin can become red and irritated if you expose your hands to hydrogen peroxide for too long. You can also accidentally bleach your nails and fingers. It is best to wear gloves to protect your hands.
   • Use disposable gloves or reusable kitchen gloves.
2. Place 250 grams of baking soda in a large plastic or earthenware bowl. Measure out the correct amount of baking soda and then put it in the bowl. Shake the bowl a bit to break up baking soda lumps.

   Tip: use a plastic or earthenware bowl to mix the pasta. Avoid putting bleaches in a metal bowl, even if it's a natural product like hydrogen peroxide. A chemical reaction can then occur.

   
   
3. Add 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of 3% strength hydrogen peroxide. Measure out the correct amount of hydrogen peroxide and pour it over the baking soda. It may start to fizz, but don't worry. This is a normal reaction between hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
   • Because you are not using much hydrogen peroxide, the mixture may not be fizzy.
   • Do not use hydrogen peroxide with a strength of more than 3% as it can damage your hair.
4. Using a plastic spoon, stir the mixture until it is even consistency. Use your spoon to break up any lumps that have formed in the paste. Keep stirring the pasta until the ingredients are well mixed.
   • Do not use a metal spoon. It is best not to use metal in combination with bleaches, as bleaches can react with metal.

Part 3 of 4: Applying the paste

1. Test the paste on a section of hair before bleaching it to see how your hair will look. It is best to test the paste on a section of hair before bleaching your hair to see what the result looks like. To do this, cover a few hairs in an inconspicuous area like behind your ear with the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste. Then wait half an hour and rinse the paste. This way you can see what effect the paste has on your hair. The hair will not be visible if you don't like the color or if you have an allergic reaction to the mixture.
   • Based on the test, you can decide if you want to bleach your hair with the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste. It also helps you determine whether to apply more or less paste to your hair to get the look you want, as well as how long to wait for a result.
   • You will need to prepare more paste before bleaching your hair as the paste you used for the test will dry out.
2. Expect your hair to lighten by one or two shades. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will usually lighten your hair one or two shades, so your dark brown hair will not turn blonde. Keep in mind that you will get red, orange and yellow shades in your hair, especially if you have dark hair. If your hair responds well to the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste, you can get the following results:
   • Blonde hair usually takes on a lighter blonde color.
   • Light brown hair can turn dark blonde.
   • Medium brown hair usually turns light brown.
   • Dark brown hair should turn to medium brown or golden brown.
   • Black hair usually turns dark brown or reddish brown.
   • Red hair can turn orange or straw blonde.
3. Use a brush to coat the sections with paste and bleach all of your hair. Start with the bottom sections to make it easier to cover your hair with an even layer of paste. Make sure to apply the paste to all of your hair as the spots you missed will be very visible. If you have thick hair, you will need to divide your hair into even more sections to cover it with an even layer of paste. When you are done with a section, comb through your hair to help spread the paste in an even layer.
   • Cover your head with a shower cap to prevent the paste from dripping onto your body or clothes. The shower cap also traps your body's natural heat, which helps the paste bleach your hair.
4. Only cover your ends with the paste to get an ombré effect. Start by applying the paste to the ends of your hair, which will be the lightest. Then apply the paste to about half of your hair. Do not always apply the paste to the same level on your hair, as this will result in a distinct line that can look strange. Instead, try to stop at a different point so that the dark color blends nicely into the lighter color.
   • Apply a thicker layer of paste to the bottom of your hair and apply an increasingly thinner layer towards the top. This way, the lighter color fades better in the dark color on top of your head. Make sure to apply the paste to your hair with vertical instead of horizontal strokes.
5. Apply streaks of paste with an old toothbrush to create highlights. Grab a section of hair that is up to half an inch wide. Then hold a piece of foil under the section. Cover the section with paste, starting at your roots and folding the foil over to separate the bleached section from the rest of your hair. Keep applying the paste to small sections until you are done with all the sections.
   • If you only want to apply highlights to the top layer of hair, then there is no need to make sections. However, it will look more natural if you apply highlights in all layers of hair, especially if you put your hair up often.
6. Let the paste sit on your hair for half an hour to an hour. After half an hour, check your hair by wiping the paste off a small section of hair onto the back of your head. When you are happy with the color, rinse your hair. If your hair is not yet light enough, wait until you have let the paste sit in your hair for an hour and then rinse your hair.

   Warning: do not leave the paste in your hair for more than an hour, otherwise your hair can be damaged.

   
   

Part 4 of 4: Removing the paste

1. Rinse your hair with cool water to remove the paste. Wet the paste to loosen it up, then use your fingers to remove it from your hair. Take a shower to wash the paste out of your hair. It is best to use cold water, as this will close your hair cuticles and make your hair shine more strongly.
   • Do not shampoo your hair after bleaching if you can. It is better not to overload your hair after bleaching.
2. Use conditioner and then rinse your hair with cool water. Apply your normal conditioner or use a toner conditioner if your hair has a copper tone. Massage the conditioner into your scalp to soothe irritation from the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste. Then let the conditioner soak into your hair for about three minutes and rinse your hair with cool water.
   • The cold water closes your hair cuticles and makes your hair shine.

   Tip: it may be a good idea to use a deep conditioner after bleaching your hair. This can help to replenish the moisture deficiency caused by bleaching.

3. Let your hair air dry after bleaching to avoid damage. Hot tools like a blow dryer or flat iron can damage your hair, so you shouldn't use them after bleaching your hair. Let your hair rest for at least a few days to recover before using warm tools again, if you already do.
   • When styling your hair with warm tools, use a heat protectant to minimize damage. Bleaching can dry out your hair, so take extra care afterwards.
4. Wait at least a week with a new treatment if you want lighter hair. You probably really want your hair to get the color you want, but it's best to take the time. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are safe to use, but can damage your hair if you use them too often. If you want even lighter hair, wait at least a week before bleaching your hair again. It is even better to wait two weeks.
   • This will help keep your hair as healthy as possible while creating your new look.

Tips

• Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can lighten your hair one or two shades in one treatment.
• 3% strength hydrogen peroxide and baking soda shouldn't harm your hair if you don't use it much. However, your hair can be damaged if it has already been dyed, treated with chemicals, or is naturally dry.

Warnings

• Do not leave the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste on your hair for more than an hour or it may damage your hair.

Necessities

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Old T-shirt
• Old towel or hairdresser's cape
• Hair clips
• Gloves
• Large plastic or earthenware bowl
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide with a strength of 3%
• Plastic spoon
• Brush (if you are bleaching all your hair or want an ombré effect)
• Old toothbrush (if you're making highlights)
• Aluminum foil (if you are making highlights)
• Shower cap (if you are bleaching all your hair)