Who knew a simple kitchen staple could give you glorious hair that you only see in shampoo commercials? Turns out baking soda is the thing and it’s so easy to do. It will revitalize your locks by removing product buildup, dirt, debris and other gunk that clings to your strands. There’s a simple process for getting the most out of the process so use these steps to better hair in mere minutes. It’s so easy and you can safely do it a couple of times per week. Get ready for the compliments to start rolling in.
1. Mix It up Just before Using It
The first step in washing with baking soda is to create your mixture just when you’re ready to use it. It won’t hurt your hair to use it if it’s a few days old, but it’s a lot more effective if it’s fresh. When you get ready to hop in the shower, simply create your baking soda shampoo and then follow the rest of these easy steps.
2. Use One Part Baking Soda to Three Parts Water
Combine one part baking soda with about three parts water to form a paste. You can add more water, if needed to create the consistency you want. It shouldn’t be too thin because it will just run off your hair, but if it’s too thick, it will be hard to spread. Getting the perfect ratio may take a bit of trial and error, but once you get there, it’s easy to recreate it whenever you want to.
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3. Scrub the Mixture All over Your Head and Hair
Now, scoop up your paste and massage it directly into your head. Make sure you get your scalp and all the way down your strands to the very end. Rub it in well because this will help strip the nasty stuff out so that you can rinse it away when you’re done. Don’t be so rough that you break your hair, but not so gentle that it doesn’t do the trick.
4. Allow the Mixture to Sit for a Couple of Minutes
Now kick back and relax for a couple of minutes while the baking soda works its magic. This is when I’d cruise Pinterest or catch up on Facebook. Or grab a book and finish that chapter you’ve been meaning to get to for a few days. Once your two or three minutes is up, get ready to rinse.
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5. Rinse with Warm Water for Several Minutes
You want to get all the baking soda out of your hair or it will weigh your strands down and make your hair limp and lifeless. Use warm water and let it run over your head for several minutes. You should be able to tell if it’s working by feeling your strands. If you feel residual paste, keep rinsing.
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6. Follow with a Vinegar Rinse
Remember the experiment where you combine baking soda and vinegar and it bubbles? This is the effect you want. The vinegar will help strip any remaining junk out of your hair. To do it, combine white or apple cider vinegar with three times as much water. Douse your hair with the mixture, then take another break for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.
7. Towel Dry Gently and You’re Done
Now that your hair is as clean as possible, squeeze it dry with a towel. Never twist or pull on it because this can lead to breakage. Once you have most of the water removed, comb your strands gently and allow it to air dry.
Have you ever tried baking soda shampoo? Do you think you will? What other tips do you have for fabulous hair?
Comments
ame3: Pls DO NOT try this, it will damage hair overtime
Kailee: Thanks @Jamie, easily explained and greatly appreciated
Alyx: Don't do this! This is horrible for your hair and scalp. And you need to rebalance the pH levels with ACV not just vinegar. Baking soda can cause micro tears in the scalp, and is way to drying on the hair. It's abrasive and is used to literally scrub color out of the hair. Your scalp will over compensate on oils, making your hair appear healthier for a while, but then your scalp will stop producing those oils and your hair will be dry, coarse and damaged irreversibly.
Alyx: @brendalis it is a fact. ACV and baking soda strip the hair of moisture, and damage the hair at a molecular level. People were doing this all the time years ago, and after about a year everyone realized how "crunchy" their hair felt. Baking soda has way more negative effects on the skin and hair than good. I do agree that after a lot of product or for removing dye, this is a good method, but for every wash it's only going to damage the hair in the long run. I've gone to cosmetology school. I studied this. I studied hair structure and how it reacts to products for months. I am also studying to become a cosmetic chemist.
Allison: I can witness to @Alyx 's point!! Don't do this! Your hair has a natural pH of around 4.5 and when you use baking soda or Castile soap (both of which have a pH around 9), you are drastically increasing your hair's pH and that drastic raise DESTROYS your hair. I used Castile soap on my hair (extremely diluted) for a month before I finally came to terms with the fact that my hair wasn't "transitioning" to something better.
Jamie: True this does remove buildup in your hair but if you dye your hair it will most certainly strip all your color out
Emilia: @Alyx What do you recommend a girl with curly hair to use? I have been using Baking soda and ACV for 4 months and it has brought a wonderful shine to my hair, but your post might just scare me into quitting. Thanks!
Emilia: Thank you so much Alyx!
Brendalis: My previous message: @ Alyx
Alyx: @emilla for curly hair you need all the moisture you can get. If you can, I'd recommend cowashing. Which is using a conditioner (though I'd start with a cleansing conditioner as it will take the oils off of the scalp) and tons of oils. Doing the baking soda and ACV will dehydrate your pretty curls. If you have a lot of build up (I'd you use more than one styling product out of the shower) I'd still do it once a month, and follow up with a deep conditioning mask.
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