Here’s Why You Should Be Washing Your Hair with Baking Soda

Baking soda serves many useful purposes, from allowing bread dough to rise to cleaning just about everything in your house. However, washing hair with baking soda, a natural chemical compound, can be a cost-efficient shampoo substitute for those who have an oily scalp. Get squeaky clean with this all-natural beauty hack.

What’s the difference between baking soda and baking powder?

How Does Baking Soda Get Rid of Buildup in Hair?

Baking soda helps get rid of unwanted buildup in hair by helping to exfoliate your scalp. Buildup from hair products, dirt from the environment and overactive oil glands make some people want to shampoo more often, which isn’t completely necessary. Many shampoos on the market contain harmful chemicals that dry out our hair, making it less shiny, smooth and manageable.

How to Wash Your Hair With Baking Soda

Here’s What You Need:

• 4 tablespoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup of water
• Lavender or tea tree essential oil, optional

Step 1: Make a paste

In an empty shampoo bottle or small mason jar, mix the baking soda and water. For a pleasant scent and additional benefits, add a few drops of lavender or tea tree pure essential oil. Shake well until a semi-viscous paste is formed.

Pro tip: To avoid having to make a paste before each shower, whip up a large batch to keep in your bathroom. The proportions are one part baking soda to three parts water, so you can make as much or as little as needed.

Step 2: Apply to your locks

Step in the shower and apply the baking soda paste to dry or wet hair. Start at the roots and work the paste all the way through the ends.

Step 3: Rinse and dry

Let the mixture sit for one to three minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Towel-dry your hair, then style as usual.

Pro tip: Keep your hair care routine all-natural by replacing your usual conditioner with apple cider vinegar.

Is It Bad to Wash Your Hair with Baking Soda?

Though so many people swear by washing their hair with baking soda, it isn’t the perfect remedy for all hair types. Baking soda is naturally abrasive (hence why it’s used to thoroughly scrub kitchenware, countertops, etc.), so it can make some people’s hair and scalps dry over time. Therefore, this method is most effective for people with oily hair. If you have dry hair, it’s recommended to use a creamy conditioner after rinsing out the baking soda to moisturize your strands.

More DIY Beauty Tips & Recipes

• Olive Oil Hair Mask
• Turmeric Face Mask
• 8 Ways to Boost Your Beauty Routine with Coconut Oil

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