Baking Soda and Vinegar Hair-Wash

 

This post will explain, step-by-step, how to wash your hair using the baking soda and vinegar method. If you are currently suffering from scalp irritation from using regular store-bought shampoos, this method of washing your hair should give you some scalp relief. Please note that if you have inflamed spots on your scalp, using this method may cause a slight burning sensation in these areas. This is normal and will eventually stop once your scalp heals.

TIPS:

1. Be sure to do the vinegar rinse prior to shaving any part of your body. The vinegar will burn when it touches your freshly shaved skin. This is easily avoidable by washing your hair prior to shaving.
2. Always keep your eyes closed while applying both treatments to your hair!
3. Rinse off your face and eyes thoroughly if you need to see in between pours.
4. You may think your hair smells like vinegar when it’s wet, but I assure you that you do not smell like vinegar to other people. You will get used to this after you have done it a few times.

Supplies:

• Baking soda (3/4 – 1 ½ cups) or half this amount if you have short hair
• Distilled white or apple-cider vinegar (1 – 1 ½ cups) or half this amount if you have short hair
• Bottle/jug/large jar (around 22 to 34 ounces works well)
• (Optional) 1-2 drops of essential oil

Instructions:

1. Using a spoon, fill your bottle/jug with about ¾ to 1 ½ cups of baking soda (use less if you have short hair). The amount you use depends on how oily your hair is. Use less if you have drier hair and use more if you have oily hair. This is not an exact science so experiment with different amounts of baking soda and find what works best.
2. Add one or two drops of an essential oil of your choice to the baking soda. I like tea tree oil for helping to soothe scalp inflammation. Lavender and eucalyptus area also nice choices.
3. Fill your baking soda-filled jug the rest of the way with water, while in the shower. You may want to shake the jug before adding all the water so you can better mix the baking soda. Fill the jug until you cannot add any more water. Shake thoroughly. Depending on how large your jug is, you may have to add more water after using the first few inches of the rinse on your head.
4. Rinse your hair, then pour on some of the baking soda/water mix. Pour it on slowly and work it into your scalp. Be sure to pour some on all parts of your head. Shake your jug in between each pour, as the baking soda will settle to the bottom.
5. Continue until you have used all the baking soda/water rinse. Work into your scalp from hair root to tip.
6. Rinse all of the baking soda off of your head. Do this thoroughly.
7. Rinse the same jug you just used and get out any remaining baking soda.
8. In your rinsed jug, add in the vinegar. You will use about 1 to 1 ½ cups of vinegar. The same rule applies here for how much to use. If your hair is drier, use less. If your hair is oily, use more. Mix with water in the same way you did with the baking soda.
9. Add 1-2 more drops of essential oil if you choose to do so.
10. Shake the vinegar/water rinse thoroughly.
11. Rinse hair and pour onto scalp in the same way as before with the baking soda. Work into hair and scalp as you pour.
12. Once all the vinegar rinse is gone, you may choose to let the vinegar sit on your scalp for 2-3 minutes or rinse it off immediately. Massage the mixture into your scalp and rinse well, regardless of how long you wait.
13. Let your hair dry and style as normal!