Natural Hair Care Using Everyday Household Ingredients

Hair care doesn’t need to be complex, nor expensive. In fact, there are a number of common household ingredients that you can use for soft, healthy hair. You probably already have these in your cupboard at home! Another bonus is that you don’t need to make any sort of complex recipes. A quick whisk or dilution with water may be all that is needed. You’ll find the details on how to use the products below.

 There are a number of potential benefits to trying simple homemade hair care solutions:

• Cut the cost of personal care products
• Reduce the amount of plastic and packaging you use, and help protect the natural environment
• Develop more of a minimalist approach to consumption
• Reduce exposure to products containing synthetic chemicals

Make sure you check out our article about natural homemade skincare solutions. You’ll notice that some of the same products can be used on your hair and skin.

Here are a few homemade hair care alternatives to store bought products:

• Baking Soda

Baking soda is an effective cleaning product and can also be a great way to clean your hair. Use it instead of shampoo for ultra clean hair. Find a container that you can use to dilute it. Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to the container and top it up with water. Give it a quick mix and pour it over your hair. Massage it in all over, and then wash out with water.

If you are used to using natural shampoos you will probably know that they don’t froth up like chemical ones do. It doesn’t mean they aren’t working! Cleaning your hair with baking soda is similar because it won’t froth up. Decide on the effectiveness yourself when you observe the way your hair looks and feels afterwards.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Use apple cider vinegar in place of conditioner. It will help you detangle your locks and can promote softness and shine in your hair. Use a similar process to what you did with the baking soda. Add a tablespoon or two to your container, top with water, and then pour over your hair (be careful of your eyes!). Massage it in and then give it a good rinse out with water. If you avoid leaving it to sit in your hair, and you rinse it properly, you shouldn’t notice any lingering vinegar smell!

In South East Asia there are plenty of supermarkets and health stores that stock raw apple cider vinegar. This is the unpasteurized version and is favorable over the pasteurized variety.

• Egg Yolks

Use egg yolks as a natural hair care treatment, to help make your hair silkier and shinier. Beat a couple of egg yolks together (or more if you have long hair). Apply them to your dry hair, like a ‘hair mask’. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then wash it out in the shower. You can then wash your hair with baking soda and condition with apple cider vinegar, as above. 

If you normally use chemical shampoos and conditioners, give your hair a chance to get used to its new regime! If you’re concerned about potential reactions to any of these natural products, patch test on a small area of skin on your arm before using the products on your head.