How to Wash Hair with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Shampoo-Free, Conditioner-Free Natural Haircare

Mar 2, 2009

Washing hair with cheap baking soda and apple cider vinegar avoids a number of chemicals used in conventional shampoo and conditioner, including sodium lauryl sulfate.

Whether to save money, avoid chemicals, live a more natural lifestyle or simply to help 'difficult' hair, a number of people are investigating natural methods of haircare. Some choose water-only hair washing, while others opt for herbal haircare or conditioner-only washing. One option which uses common household ingredients is those staples of natural living, baking soda and vinegar, to clean and condition the hair.

Before You Wash Your Hair

Washing your hair with this method requires baking soda, vinegar and at least one container such as a jug. To avoid hopping in and out of the shower, some people like to keep vinegar in a squeezy bottle in the shower. The baking soda can be tipped into the jug before getting into the shower: the paste is mixed in this jug with water from the showerhead, after which the jug is rinsed and used to mix and pour the vinegar mixture.

How To Wash Hair With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Rub this mixture thoroughly into your (thoroughly wetted) roots and scalp, massaging well. It is not usually necessary to clean the length and ends of your hair – runoff from the baking soda mixture will be enough to get rid of any dirt and grease. Rinse out carefully, making sure you don't get any of the paste in your eyes.

To rinse your hair, dilute 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (or another kind of vinegar) in one cup of water. If you like, dip the length of your hair in the mixture and swish it round; then carefully pour the mixture over your scalp, making sure it coats as much hair and scalp as possible. Some people like to repeat this process with another batch of the mixture. The vinegar rinse can be left in or rinsed out – some people to end their shower with a blast of cold water to seal the cuticles of the hair, making it sleek and shiny, while others find that leaving the vinegar mixture on irritates their skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar or Other Vinegars

Proponents of natural haircare often prefer to use organic apple cider vinegar which contains 'the mother', a mixture of dead yeast and bacteria which forms a kind of foam on top of the vinegar. White vinegar and even lemon juice can substitute for apple cider vinegar, bearing in mind that a more acidic solution may be irritating to some. Vinegars which dry 'sticky', such as balsamic vinegar, should not be used.

Adapting the Baking Soda and Vinegar Hair Washing Method

The beauty of natural hair care is that it is not static. Many people who wash their hair with baking soda and vinegar use less soda and more vinegar if their hair feels dry or tangly, and more soda/less vinegar if their hair feels greasy or lank. Others prefer to sprinkle baking soda directly onto the scalp, rather than making a paste.

Baking soda is a fairly harsh cleanser, and can be used occasionally to 'clarify' hair to eliminate buildup from commercial shampoos and conditioners. Some people use baking soda only every other wash, or reduce the quantity used down to a pinch or two, in order to prevent overdrying. A little experimentation will show whether baking soda and vinegar works for you as a regular method of haircare or an occasional treatment. This method can also be combined with other forms of natural haircare, such as oiling the hair prior to washing and using herbal rinses.

The copyright of the article How to Wash Hair with Baking Soda and Vinegar in Hair Care is owned by Sarah Tennant. Permission to republish How to Wash Hair with Baking Soda and Vinegar in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jul 25, 2009 5:16 AM

Guest :

Great info.!

Sep 25, 2009 11:39 AM

Guest :

Desiderata Everyone!
Yup! I've noticed that I was able to completely eradicate dandruff using vinegar, and baking soda has helped remove any build-up of oils. I use only cooking oils on my hair and body (ie. olive, safflower, canola,, and vegetable). Shea butter (white or yellow) is also a much more beneficial moisterizer, and it's ALOT cheaper. Also, try African black soap from a local seller. This stuff will have you smelling shower-fresh ALL day long. Trust me.
Desiderata Everyone!

Oct 5, 2009 10:33 AM

greciantresses :

Hi,
Just tried it. Maybe overdid the baking soda. It didnt seem to form a paste so I added a bit more but counteracted that witha good dose of plain white vinegar, used some honey then and finished off with the normal conditioner ( tresemme for dry hair)Jut wondering how you finish off now.. i.e dry naturally,blow dry.
Any more extra tips are welcome.
Thanks

Oct 14, 2009 9:32 PM

Guest :

I've been using this method ever since I saw the write-up on no poo on the MSNBC website a few months ago. There it stated to mix 1 tsp on baking soda with 1 cup water, which I keep in an old shampoo bottle in the shower and I was using vinegar without diluting it from a squeeze bottle. I have noticed that my hair is not greasy any more but now I find that it is dry. I am a 48 yrs of age and male. I started using it because my hair was too greasy.

Oct 14, 2009 9:37 PM

Sarah Tennant :

greciantresses: I go the natural route and just let my hair air-dry, but whatever your normal routine is should work fine with this washing method.

Oct 14, 2009 9:32 PM: If your hair's too dry, try skipping the baking soda every other wash and just using the vinegar or even plain water. This is a flexible washing method, so don't be afraid to tweak it according to your hair's behaviour on any given day.