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It’s that time of the year when we are all gearing up to be painted with a million hues and paint others as well! Yes, Holi is here, and very soon we will be stepping out in pure white attire only to come back home completely coloured. It is one of the most joyful celebrations in our country and is celebrated with great pomp and joy. While the time we spend outside is absolute fun, letting ourselves loose, becoming children again, and having an amazing colourful time with friends and family, we have a huge task of cleaning up after we come back. Don’t worry as we have handpicked a few tips for you that will ease the task of washing away the colours.
Also Read: Significance of Holi Tradition in India: The Festival of Colours
Preparations Before Playing Holi
The secret to getting rid of the colours is preparing yourself before you step out to play. Make sure you oil your hair thoroughly. This will make the colours easily slip away when you wash. For your skin, you can use either oil or moisturiser. Apart from making the cleaning easier, applying oil or moisturiser will also reduce the effect of chemicals from the colours on your body. Apply Vaseline to your lips. Paint your nails so that the colour does not stick; remember that nails have dead cells, so it is almost impossible to scrub the colour off completely. You can also cut your nails so that no colour gets lodged in them.
Skin and Nail
First of all, never use hot water as it will only make the colours stick more firmly. Use cold water to wash the colours off before you apply a cleanser. Here are a couple of natural products that will help the colours come off easily:
- Besan and Milk – leave this pack on for 15 – 20 minutes before you wash it off.
- Lemon – use it to remove stubborn patches only; it is acidic, so try not to use it much.
- Oil – you can use coconut, mustard, or olive oil and leave it for a while before washing.
- Calamine lotion with honey and rosewater
- Multani Mitti – for those with oily skin.
Hair
As mentioned earlier, do not use hot water. Use cold water and wash off the colours as much as possible before applying shampoo. Here are some tips to follow before you step into the shower:
- Egg
- Curd (you can add lemon juice as well)
- Coconut Milk
- Oil (olive/coconut)
You can apply any of these to your hair and let it soak for about 30 minutes before you wash.
Clothing Cleanup
Remember to wash your clothes immediately and not wait for the next day. Soak the clothes in a bucket of cold water and vinegar or use a non-chlorine bleach. Using alcohol and lemon juice also works well. For stubborn stains, use a toothbrush with toothpaste and try to brush it out. Another lesser-known trick is to spray ammonia-based window cleaners on the stains and let them soak for 15 – 20 minutes before washing.
Remember always to stay safe while you are out. Close your eyes and mouth when someone throws colour on you. Don’t eat anything before washing your hands thoroughly. Avoid any kind of chemical treatments for skin and hair for at least two weeks after Holi; continuous exposure to chemicals will make you more dry and rough.
With these expert tips, you can enjoy the vibrant celebrations of Holi to the fullest while ensuring a seamless cleanup process afterward. Let the colours of Holi spread joy and happiness, leaving behind unforgettable memories of camaraderie and merriment.
