Did you know you can wash your natural hair at home without shampoo? Whether you find some shampoos too drying or not working for your hair type or you just want to try the ‘no-poo’ method for washing your hair, there are several ways to wash natural hair at home without shampoo.

In this article we will go through 6 different ways you can wash your natural hair at home without shampoo. Washing hair without shampoo is what is popularly known as ‘no-poo’.

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Below are the 6 different ways to wash your natural hair at home without Shampoo.

1. Use Apple Cider Vinegar to wash hair

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a popular natural hair remedy that can be used to clean the scalp in place of regular shampoos. Apple Cider Vinegar is made from Apples using a 2-step fermentation process that enriches the solution with minerals, acids and live culture that are beneficial to the hair.(1)

ACV has an acidity that is close to that of natural hair (pH of 4.5-5.5), making it a good conditioner, cleaning agent and effective germ killer. Most shampoos are strongly alkaline, that is why it is advisable to wash your hair with Apple Cider Vinegar to help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of products.

Vinegars may help in reducing lice and relieves itchy scalp due to their antimicrobial and antoxidative properties.(2)   Using Apple Cider Vinegar rinse also closes cuticle scales which protect the surface of each hair shaft, making your hair shinier, smoother and easier to manage.

Before using vinegar on your entire mane prepare a smaller batch of this vinegar hair rinse recipe to experiment with, try by mixing 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar into 1 cup of warm filtered tap water. Leave the vinegar on for some minutes and then rinse it all out.  

You can use herbs or essentials oils such as Lavender, lemon or Peppermint to give your Apple Cider Vinegar a good fragrance but usually the smell will disappear completely as your hair dries.

Ensure you stock up Apple Cider Vinegar to use it for several other home DIYs such as cleaning. You can purchase Apple Cider Vinegar online from Amazon.

2. Baking Soda for Cleansing Natural Hair

Baking soda has been popularized by the “no poo” method, as  a great alternative to commercial shampoos. When baking soda is dissolved in water, the solution removes excess oil and buildup, softens your hair, and restores shine.

Baking soda only contains one compound which is NaHCO3. This compound is a salt comprised of sodium and bicarbonate ions. Baking soda’s alkali pH makes it an excellent cleanser for your scalp and hair as it removes dirt and buildup from the scalp, leaving it clean. Nonetheless,  caution is necessary as baking soda can cause hair damage and skin irritation is used incorrectly.

It’s possible for baking soda to give you desired results at first, but continuous use can also strip your hair of its natural oils and irritate the scalp. Usually our scalp has a pH level of 5.5, and the hair shaft has a pH level of 3.67.(4)

This balance should be maintained for healthy hair, but baking soda has a pH level of 9, hence it can cause cuticle damage, hair breakage, and cause frizz or irritation if not used with care.

How to wash your hair with baking soda

• First dilute it properly and don’t leave it in too long.  It takes a lot of water to lower the pH of baking soda until it is safe for your hair. You’ll end up with a cloudy solution that is still very powerful.
• Pour some of this solution into your hair and massage it into your scalp. After two minutes, thoroughly rinse out the solution. If you leave baking soda on your hair the residue can irritate your scalp.
•  Follow with apple cider vinegar. Once your hair is clean, you need to return your scalp pH to its normal pH of 4-5. Otherwise, your hair will dry out and be frizzy. This treatment is simple, quick, and smooths and softens your hair.

This No-poo method should be done with extreme caution. Patch-test on your skin before using to see if baking soda reacts to your skin. If your hair feels dry or brittle after using baking soda, you might want to use less baking soda in your wash, or give your hair some time before you do another rinse.

3. Use Bentonite Clay to Wash the Hair

Bentonite clay or Aztec Indian healing clay is a natural healing clay that is mined directly from the earth. It is formed by the weathering of volcanic ash in the presence of water. Bentonite clay is normally dried in the sun before being sold as a facial or hair mask.

There are two main reasons why Bentonite clay is beneficial to hair: First, it is negatively charged when combined with water or Apple Cider Vinegar, enabling it to draw out toxins from the hair, which is positively charged. Second, it contains many minerals that are essential for hair growth like calcium, sodium and potassium.

Since Bentonite clay is negatively charged, its mask draws out toxins from your positively charged hair, cleansing your scalp of oil and buildup. This protects your hair and scalp from bacterial and fungal infections. In addition to working as an excellent hair mask, bentonite clay also makes for an excellent hair rinse that adds intense shine to your hair.

How to prepare Bentonite Clay for hair washing

You will need 2 tablespoons of Bentonite clay, a cup Apple Cider Vinegar and half a cup of water. Combine all the ingredients in a plastic bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes before finally rinsing it off with water.

Precautions when using Bentonite Clay

Bentonite like many natural hair remedies comes with its share of precautions that need to be taken to make sure you don’t ruin your hair or your bathroom.

•  Never use a metal bowl or spoon when making your bentonite hair mask or hair wash. Bentonite clay reacts quickly when it comes in contact with metal, meaning its benefits would be reduced by the time you apply it to your hair.
• Wash off the hair mask with warm water before it is completely dry as it can be difficult to remove once it dries up.
• After this process run some hot water down the drain after washing your hair with bentonite clay so that it does not clog up your plumbing.

Have your Bentonite Clay delivered to your door step by ordering today from Amazon. If you prefer to use the clay externally for the hair and skin ONLY, then try this brand. But if you you like the one for both external and internal use, then go for this food grade one. I personally prefer the food grade one.

4. Rhassoul Clay for Washing Natural Hair

Rhassoul also known as “hectorite”, is derived from the Arabic term “Rassala” which means “washing”. It has been used for decades as a natural form of mineral clay, and is still used popularly in all parts of the world by people for cleaning their hair.

The Rhassoul is available in its powder form, and it turns into clay when you mix it with water. Use a spoon or your fingers to mix it otherwise it will create lumps of clay. It is quiet easy to mix. As a simple Rhassoul clay recipe for cleaning your hair will include 2 heaps of teaspoons of Rhassoul clay powder and warm water to form a watery paste.

You will have to use more of the clay as compared to the regular shampoo that you normally use. Cover your entire hair with the clay paste  and leave it in for 5-15 minutes then rinse it off thoroughly.

Make sure the clay does not stay too long until it dries up. You can always mix rinse with cider vinegar after using rhassoul clay to give your hair a good shine that lasts just as long as normal shampoo.

Benefits of cleaning your hair with Rhassoul Clay

• Rhassoul clay has a higher quantity of calcium, silica, potassium, magnesium and other minerals than other types of clay. These minerals detoxify and take the place of the other toxic chemicals present in the hair, leaving behind wonderful compounds that are great for our hair.
• Washing your hair with Rhassoul clay, makes your hair cleaner for a longer period of time so you do not have to wash it as often.
• It is great to treat different kinds of hair conditions like dandruff, scalp acne and dryness.
• It is a natural anti-microbial that reduces hair loss. It doesn’t dry out the hair like normal shampoos.

Rhassoul Clay can be found online here.

5. Use Castile Soap

This is a vegetable soap that comprises of Olive Oil, water and Lye. It is a biodegradable and mild soap. It is normally used for general cleaning which includes cleaning dishes, fruits, vegetables, skin and even hair.(3)

People are now turning to Castile Soap as an alternative to the chemical filled shampoos. The soap is strong enough to cleanse the scalp of excess sebum and product build up. It’s also gentle enough to not leave our hair stripped and dry, making it a great alternative to commercial shampoo. Before using castile soap as your new shampoo there are things you need to know about the soap, these include:

1. Castile soap is not safe to use on colored hair. Soaps are generally alkaline (high pH) which means they open the hair cuticle thus releasing the hair dye quicker from the hair strands leading to faded and spotted hair dye.
2. Castile soap should not be used directly onto the skin or hair, as it is extremely potent it is far too strong and will surely leave your hair feeling like straw.  What you should do is, take an empty shampoo bottle and pour in a teaspoon of castile soap and fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water. With additional soap the solution becomes stronger. There’s no need for using too much soap because a little soap goes a long way.
3. If you want to balance out the pH of the alkaline soap with an acidic solution, you can rinse your hair afterwards with an acidic rinse such as apple cider vinegar. Do not mix an acidic solution with a basic solution, as it can turn out to be a messy affair.

You might love Castile soap for your hair or hate it as it’s not for everyone. But before you conclude that castile soap is not for you try experimenting by using the soap with different dilutions for example 1 teaspoon and one cup water, or 1/2 teaspoon and 2 cups of water, until you find the right dilution for you.

Avoid crowded places and have Castile Soap delivered to your doorstep by ordering online today.

6. Use Dilute Lemon Juice to Wash Natural Hair

Lemon smells and taste good. Good news is that, lemon can make your hair shiny, thick and remove dandruff. Lemon just like Apple Cider Vinegar also helps restore your hair’s natural pH balance, which is very important if you want your hair to remain healthy. Lemon juice makes your hair less greasy, making it perfect for oily scalp.

How to use lemon juice as a hair rinse

Lemon juice can be used in a variety of ways, but my preferred method is using it as a cleanser. All you need for this process is lemon juice and warm water.

Begin by mixing them evenly. Thereafter apply to hair leave for around 5 minutes. This rinse can only be used twice a week this is because applying too much lemon to hair can cause dryness. Also, prolonged use of lemon juice lightens your hair color. If that is not what you want to do, skip the lemon juice rinse. You can also add a teaspoon of oil to your lemon juice solution for added protection.

If you have dandruff, lemon juice may help absorb excess oils that lead to this common scalp condition.

Precautions to take when using lemon

• Lemon juice may cause skin irritation especially if you have eczema or psoriasis. Citric acid may be too strong and cause skin irritation. Discontinue this process if you start to experience redness, increased irritation, and itchiness.

• Another risk is a condition called phytophotodermatitis, which is a contact reaction to certain plants. The reaction is marked by inflammation and blisters, followed by spots of dark pigmentation on the skin that can last for weeks. Lemons can cause this condition in some people. This condition mainly affects your scalp, especially if it’s exposed to the sun. (5)

• To avoid any of these conditions and reactions conduct a patch test. A skin patch test should be done a few days before using lemon in your hair and scalp. A patch test is done by applying a small amount of the lemon rinse you plan on using to your skin. Choose an area that’s not so conspicuous, and if no reaction occurs, the rinse is likely safe.

• Always consult a dermatologist if you experience any adverse effects after using a lemon rinse or are unsure if you try it at all.

In Summary

The above 6 DIYs are great alternatives for washing your hair at home without shampoo. If you are struggling to access your regular natural hair products, it is time to turn to simple ways to care for your hair using DIY hair care remedies.

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