Baking Soda Shampoo

What You Will Need

You will need clean water, baking soda and either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. For a more relaxing and therapeutic formulation you may also add scented oils of your choice. We recommend lavender or peppermint!

Instructions

• Baking soda and warm water: In a clean squeeze bottle, begin by adding one part of baking soda to three parts of water and mix well. Now pour this mixture onto the head and work it into your scalp. Do not rub aggressively, rather massage in gently and let it sit for a minute or two before washing it out with plain water. For best results use lukewarm water as hot water is detrimental to the roots, scalp and cuticle and can cause dandruff.

• Apple cider vinegar and cool water: Now proceed by rinsing out your hair with a mixture that contains one part vinegar (of your liking) and 4 parts of clean water. Add to this a couple of drops of a fragrant essential oil to combat the pungent smell of the vinegar and shake well. While washing your hair with this be careful not to get any into your eyes as the vinegar can provoke a smarting sensation. You do not need to leave this mixture in your hair for long and you can wash it off after a few seconds if you wish. We recommend using cold water for this final part. This is because cold water seals the ends and openings of the cuticle helping to lock in shine and moisture that keeps your hair frizz free.

Pay Attention to the pH Value

Human hair lies somewhere between 4.5 and 5 on this scale. Since baking soda can be highly alkaline in nature (pH of 9 in water), it is imperative that you carefully add only the recommended amount to your hair. Overusing this baking soda shampoo or putting too much baking soda in it can result in the hair becoming brittle and weak, eventually leading to hair fall. Also if this is not followed by the vinegar rinse, the hair shaft and cuticle will remain open to the elements which means you hair will become dry and frizzy.

Recommended Frequency

Optimally, you should consider using this natural shampooing method about three times every week.

What Does It Feel Like?

At first it may see a little weird as his concoction does not foam like regular commercial shampoos do. The vinegar rinse too will feel quite different from typical conditioners and may take some effort to spread evenly into the hair as it tends to be quite watery. But once the treatment is over and your hair has dried completely, you will instantly be able to feel the difference so give yourself sometime before drawing conclusions. Your hair will have volume like never before and will be much glossier to the eye. The wash will also last longer as your hair will not get oily as frequently as it used to.

This recipe has a pH close to the natural pH of hair.

What you need: You will need one can of coconut milk, one and three quarter cups of aloe vera gel and a blend of your favorite essential oils (for fragrance).

Instructions: To make the shampoo, mix all ingredients with a whisk till perfectly mixed together and pour the contents into an ice cube tray to freeze. You will need only one cue per shower but you must take this out of the freezer the night before and put it into the fridge instead. Start from the roots and work your way to the tips of your hair (again this will not foam) and wash off with cold water.