Vibrant colours, delicious food, and quality time with family and friends all make Holi one of the most awaited festivals in India. While there is so much to like about this festival, there is one thing that most of us dread! And that is the aftermath of playing Holi with colours. The fear of stubborn stains and hair and skin problems can take away all the fun from the festivities. Synthetic Holi colours can wreak havoc on your skin and hair! Other than being harmful to your skin and hair, these chemical-based artificial colours are extremely difficult to wash off. This is why people often face problems like rashes, breakouts and hair fall after playing with colours during Holi. Thankfully, there are some tried and tested methods that can help you get rid of Holi colours. Here are some desi nuskhe that answer the question – how to remove Holi colours from your skin, clothes and shoes post your Holi celebrations.
How To Remove Holi Colour From Nails?
1. Almond Oil Or Vinegar
The best way to avoid messing up your nails this Holi season is by applying a dark nail colour before stepping out to play with colours. This will keep your nails from getting stained. You can easily remove the nail paint after you are done playing with colours. If that doesn’t work, here is how to remove Holi colour from nails using natural and skin-friendly ingredients.
You Will Need:
- Lukewarm water
- Almond oil or vinegar
Method:
- Take a bowl or a mug and fill it up with lukewarm water.
- Put in a few drops of almond oil or vinegar.
- Soak your nails in this mixture for a few minutes.
Once you are done with Holi celebrations, let your nails be bare for a few days. Make sure to keep your hands moisturized.
How To Remove Holi Colour From Face?
1. Milk & Gram Flour
Wondering how to remove Holi colour from the face? This DIY face pack can help. Packed with the power of Vitamin A, milk is quite beneficial for acne-prone and dry skin. It helps cleanse the skin by unclogging the pores. It is also effective in improving skin elasticity, reducing dark spots, boosting collagen production and nourishing the skin. Gram flour is an effective exfoliating agent and also helps de-tan the skin. Use these two powerful ingredients together to remove colour stains from your face.
You Will Need:
- Gram flour
- Milk
Method:
- Mix gram flour and milk to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to your face and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Scrub it out by rubbing your face in circular motions.
- Wash your face with water.
- Finish with a moisturizer.
2. Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth)
Here is how to remove the permanent colour from the face after Holi. Owing to the multiple skincare benefits it offers, Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) is widely used in the natural skincare regime. It is known to reduce tanning and pigmentation, remove excess oil, fight acne, and deep cleanse the skin. This magic ingredient can also be used for removing tough colour stains from your skin.
You Will Need:
- 3 tbsp of Multani mitti (fuller’s earth)
- 6 tbsp of water
Method:
- Mix Multani mitti and water to form a paste. You can also add glycerin to the mixture.
- Apply the mixture to your face.
- Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
How To Remove Holi Colour From Skin?
1. Wheat Flour And Lemon Juice
This homemade pack can help remove Holi colour from your skin in no time. Wheat flour boasts of several skin benefits and is widely used in DIY skincare remedies. Lemon is a natural bleaching agent and can aid in removing colour stains. Here is how you can use these ingredients for your post-Holi clean-up!
Things You Will Need:
- Wheat flour
- Oil or lemon juice
Method:
- Add oil or lemon juice to wheat flour to make a paste. Add a bit of water if required. The paste should be thick.
- Apply this paste liberally to the areas stained with colours.
- Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Massage and scrub off the paste.
- Use this remedy just before you are about to take a shower.
2. Turmeric And Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) Paste
This multi-ingredient pack works well on normal skin. Lentils like besan (gram flour) and masoor dal (red lentils) can be effective in tackling several skin problems when used regularly. Masoor dal is known to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and brighten the skin. Gram flour is another great exfoliating agent that can help make your skin clearer. Turmeric is packed with antibacterial and antiseptic properties and helps even out skin discolouration. Rosewater comes with healing properties and soothes irritated skin.
Here is how you can use these natural ingredients to get rid of stubborn Holi colour stains.
You Will Need:
- 3 tsp Masoor Dal (red lentils)
- 1 tsp gram flour (besan)
- 3 tsp rosewater
- A pinch of turmeric powder (haldi)
Method:
- Soak masoor dal for an hour or so.
- Add flour, turmeric powder and rosewater to the soaked seeds dal and mix well to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to affected areas.
- Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Wash off with cold or normal water.
How To Remove Holi Colour From Hair?
1. Egg Yolk Or Curd
Holi colours are often laden with chemicals that are bad for the hair. Moreover, using harsh shampoos and conditioners for washing off the colours can end up damaging the hair even more.
Apply egg yolk or curd before shampooing your hair post-Holi celebrations. These ingredients will not only clean your hair and scalp but also reduce dryness and damage.
You Will Need:
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ cup of curd (dahi)
Method:
- Mix the egg yolks and curd in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp.
- Let it sit for about 45 minutes.
- Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.
2. Coconut Milk
Here is how to remove Holi colour from hair without damaging them. Coconut milk contains natural fatty acids and has amazing moisturizing effects. This ingredient acts as a powerful conditioner and is very effective for treating dry scalp and hair. It can also be effective in getting rid of dandruff and slowing down hair loss.
Use this coconut milk remedy to get rid of Holi colours from your hair.
You Will Need:
- Coconut milk
Method:
- Apply coconut milk on your hair before you step out to play Holi.
- Apply it once again once you are done playing with colours.
- Let it sit for an hour.
- Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.
How To Remove Holi Colour From Clothes?
Here are some tips on how to wash white clothes
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is acidic in nature and can be effective in removing tough stains from clothes and other surfaces. Here is how to remove Holi colour from clothes using lemon juice.
You Will Need:
- Lemon Juice
Method:
- Soak the stain in lemon juice.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Lightly scrub the stain with your hands.
- Wash the garment as usual.
2. Window Cleaner
Wondering how to remove Holi colour from white clothes? This remedy can help! Window cleaners come with powerful stain removal properties that can also be helpful to get rid of tough stains from clothes. Before you get down to washing your clothes post the celebration, use this remedy to clean out the stubborn stains. Also, make sure you wash your colour stained clothes separately.
You Will Need:
- Spray-on window cleaner
Method:
- Spray the stains with an ammonia-based window cleaner.
- Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
- Use a clean cloth to blot the stains.
- Rinse and wash the garment.
How To Remove Holi Colour From Shoes?
1. Nail Polish Remover
That’s right! A nail polish remover is just what you require to get rid of those annoying scuff marks on your precious footwear. Here how you can clean up your shoes after your Holi celebration.
You Will Need:
- Nail polish remover
- Q-tip (earbud)
Method:
- Dip the Q-tip into the remover.
- Rub the soaked Q-tip on the stains.
- Repeat until the stains are gone.
2. Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide
Getting Holi colours on your favourite pair of white sneakers is nothing short of a nightmare. Luckily, there is an easy way to save your shoes and get rid of those stains. Baking soda acts as a cleaning agent and is often used in natural cleaning and stain removal remedies. Mix it up with some hydrogen peroxide and water and you have the perfect solution for colour stained shoes.
You Will Need:
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
Method:
- Combine baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and water to form a paste.
- With the help of a toothbrush, layer the paste onto your shoes.
- Leave your shoes out in the sun for a few hours.
- Dust the crust (formed by dried paste) off the shoes.
Useful Tips For Getting Rid Of Holi Colours With Ease
The fear of stains should not keep you from enjoying this vibrant festival. These simple tips can help you enjoy the festivities without worrying about your skin, hair or clothes!
- Apply castor or olive oil to your hair before you step out to play Holi. This will make it easier to get rid of the colours later on
- Rub coconut or olive oil on your face, ears and hands. The oil will form a protective layer on your skin and prevent colour absorption
- Generously apply moisturizer over the exposed areas of your skin before playing Holi colours
- Apply vaseline or a nourishing lip balm to your lips before playing with colours. This will help keep your lips nourished as well as prevent the colours from settling in the cracks
- Apply sunscreen if the Holi celebration is to be held in an open area
- Avoid hair and skincare treatments like facial, bleach and hair colour right after Holi. It is best to wait for 1-2 weeks before using chemical-based skin and hair products
- Wash off the colour from your hair and skin with cold water. Hot water makes it more difficult to get rid of the colour. It may also cause further damage to your skin and hair
- Never use a strong, chemical-based shampoo or soap to wash off Holi colours. This may cause further damage to the skin
- Don’t wash your face too frequently as this may make your skin dry
- Avoid excessive use of soap or face wash. Use a mild cleanser or toner instead
- Wash stained clothes as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more stubborn those stains will become
These simple remedies require easily available ingredients that can be effective in getting rid of Holi colours from your skin, hair and clothes. However, the best way to enjoy a carefree Holi is by ensuring that you don’t end up with stubborn stains. Oil your hair and moisturize your skin before stepping out to play with colours. Wear clothes you won’t mind disposing of after the celebrations. Cover your hair and coat your nails with dark nail paint. If possible, consider playing ‘organic Holi’ with natural, skin-friendly colours that don’t stain your clothes or hamper your skin or hair.
