Have you heard of or tried the “no poo” method? Basically it’s where you stop using shampoo (because it strips your hair of natural oils, frizzes it and is filled with chemicals) and you use baking soda and apple cider vinegar in it’s place. Sound crazy? Maybe it is, but I’ve been poo free for nine days now and the “transition period” hasn’t been too bad. Here’s what my hair looks like today:
I’ve been using 1 tbsp baking soda dissolved in 1 cup warm water and then 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar in 1 cup warm water every other day. Basically you just pour the baking soda mixture on your roots, scrub and rinse, then repeat with the vinegar on your ends. Once you go “poo free” your hair will go through a transition period where it’s still overproducing oil because it’s used to shampoo stripping it all of the time. I was only washing my hair every three days before I started so hopefully my transition will be easier. The baking soda has been pretty effective in soaking up the excess oil. It does feel a little bit greasier and heavier than normal, but not really too much. Supposedly your hair gets curlier and fuller once your completely poo free. I hope that’s true!!
I tried it for awhile and it made my hair feel dirty and my scalp itchy...so I had to stop. I sure wish it would have worked because I liked the idea but not the results.
Wow...I might try. Your hair looks really nice. I am hosting a Best of 2011 Blog hop and would love you to come link up one of your best posts of the year!
Good job! I have been doing this for about three months now and it is going really well. I didn't notice any transition and I think it is because I was using an (expensive) organic, all natural shampoo and I did the transition when I switched to that. The baking soda does an amazing job of cleaning for me (which has always surprised me). I also have long hair. My hair is lighter, smoother, shinier, and smells like nothing. The ACV smell disappears after the hair dries, and your hair doesn't smell like scalp or baking soda or anything... it smells like air. I wish I'd tried it sooner!
I have been using my own homemade shampoo now for almost 2 months. I just Dr. Bronner's castile soap mixed with cider vinegar and water which is similar to what you're doing; Dr. Bronner's soap is pure. It was hard for me at first because my hair was so oily but it really has gotten thicker and curlier like you read. You can also put coconut oil in your hair as a leave in conditioner!
I got all my shampoo/deo recipes from here: http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/natural-body-products-on-a-budget-part-1.html
Love this! I have grown out my hair because of losing harsh shampoo's however, i did not try baking soda and vinegar and will now that you posted this awesome idea. SO frugal and simple and we will get the hair we have always wanted.
Hi Missy! I went poo-free nearly a year ago and fussed up to it on my blog last spring. (Shockingly, that has become my most popular post) I love reading success stories where ladies have ditched their bottles and needless to say you hair looks incredibly beautiful!! So healthy & shiny! I hope you have continued success!
(Also I noticed your ticker under the header.... congratulations!! I'm 30 weeks myself. Hope you're feeling wonderfully!)
Do you still use a conditioner? I'm thinking about going shampoo free - I've been using natural/organic shampoo & conditioner for a long time but have always dealt with too oil hair which doesn't help acne which I also suffer from. I don't think the transition stage would be too much different then what I already deal with because of the natural shampoo. I have to wash my hair everyday with Shampoo to keep it ok.
I haven't been using a conditioner, but according to the "curly girl method" using a -cone free (no chemicals listed that end in cone) conditioner once a week is really good for curly hair. I did put coconut oil in it today because I'm not smart and now its greasy. Oh well I guess I'll just have to wash again tomorrow. I can't wait until I only have to wash once a week! ha
Hello! I'm glad to hear from others who are making the great decision to keep away from Shampoo and Conditioner, which are true poisons to us!!! My mother shared your link with me, and I am glad to read about your experience, as well as tell you a bit about mine. I personally haven't used shampoo or conditioner AT ALL since AUGUST.
At first, I kept postponing making the switch to only baking soda, but now that I use it I wouldn't want to return to the other. I started using baking soda and applecider vinegar in July, but washed my hair twice in Aug. using shampoo. (to make sure I would look nice for a wedding- but- my hair actually looked WORSE!) So I'm on my 4th month, and I vary between 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons BS/cup of water per wash. It's good to leave the BS sit for five minutes on your head after you massage it in. I follow with apple cider vinegar, like you, and sometimes I rinse it out, sometimes not. I HAVE read that ACV enhances DARK coloured hair, so since I like my original blond tone from childhood (:)) I recently switched to using PLAIN Vinegar instead of the apple cider. Obviously, I am still testing between the two. I would like to hear what you think about the ACV and your light toned hair, which is lovely, by the way.
I think the baking soda really helps- EVERYTHING! I don't have curls, but my hair waves a little better now, as well as staying smoother, and I've noticed a lovely difference this winter season, with my hair not having static like in years past! And my hair has grown much faster recently, too!
Oftentimes, after a wash, I massage aloe vera in. To conclude this lengthy comment, I find that I have to wash my hair less and less now, and that my hair doesn't really get DIRTY like when shampoo was used. Instead, it just gets flatter and flatter....Ha ha. :)
Please visit my blog: http://mazzoumemories.blogspot.com I look forward to sharing about our healthy hair journey! I hope to blog about this topic soon. Every girl needs to know how easy it is to use Baking soda! (Even travelling with it is simple!)
Thanks for being patient through this lengthy comment!
i switched over but have a difficult time during the winter when my skin (all over) dries up and gets itchy (i live in a very dry climate). i couldn't settle out on a solution for my scalp, so i went back to the poo. the only natural thing that helped was massaging oil (coconut or olive or even just plain vegetable oil) into the scalp. however, that -obviously- made my hair look like dirty, oily hair. so... i didn't really like that solution. anyway, keep it up!
MamaT, I haven't had the dry scalp problem yet, but I've heard that aloe vera gel is good for it. I don't know if it works or not, but it might be worth a try.
Missy, This is amazing... who knew? Your hair looks nice and shiny. I wonder if I could talk our teen aged daughter into this method. We spend a fortune in shampoo and cond... Happy New Year! Deb
Missy, Thank you for visiting my blog! I honestly can't remember how long the oily stage lasted for me...I don't think I had it very badly, since my hair was usually oily before. But I think everything became normal after a month or so. I want to correct what I said about ammounts of Baking Soda. I said I use 1-2 Tablespoons per cup of water per wash, but all I meant was I sometimes need 2 Tablespoons BS per 2 cups of water. That's all.
MAMA T: I read your comment, and I heartily recommend apple cider vinegar, since that is known for curing dry scalp! In addition to using the ACV as a rinse, you can make a tea of it by steeping some with rosemary, thyme or comfrey and rubbing a little into your scalp every night! It really works. Aloe Vera does also. Th great thing about Vinegar as a rinse is, despite its strong smell, it softens the hair and moistens the scalp. It even cures sunburn, which is good since I don't always remember to wear a hat in the summer! If anyone is having problems with vinegar rinse making their scalp or skin prickly after the shower, just rub aloe vera on. Have fun! :)
I find this really interesting. I've never heard of it, but I'll certainly check back and see how it turns out. You've got beautiful hair to start with.
Yes, I've been washing my hair with baking soda for half a year now and the curious thing is that my hair didn't go though any transition period, lucky me :) I have often written about how excited I am with baking soda on my blog, but apart from it, I also use other methods as well, for example: eggs, mayo or aloe vera!
I may just have to give this a try. I've been eating gluten-free since September 1st and that has done a LOT to restore the fullness in my hair...but I'd be willing to give this a try. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)
p.s. I found your blog via the Homestead Barn Hop linkup :)
Found you at the Barn Hop. Iv'e been trying to go at least 3 days between washing..Thanks for the soda and vinegar tip I will have to try that....your newest follower..Stop by and see me when u get a chance.....Deana@ www.CountryMommaCooks.com
So I talked with my naturopath about this and she thinks it's a great idea. I think I'm going to try this, because if it cleans my hair well, then AWESOME...if it cleans my hair and helps me save money, even better :) :)
Now my hair is almost shoulder-length...slightly wavy...and very oily. I don't know if any of your other readers have really oily scalp. Have any of you tried the no poo method? How has it worked for you?
Oh, and what about tangles. Do you find it easier or more difficult to comb out your hair afterwards?
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)
Heather - the baking soda is what absorbs the oil so you will just have to find the right ratio to water that works for your hair. Also, I've found that so far my hair is more tangly than normal. The apple cider vinegar is suppose to help with that but it doesn't seem to be working on my hair. Maybe I need to use more?
Okay, so I am COMPLETELY intrigued with this entire process!!!! I am so excited I stumbled upon this at the beginning of a new year. I can hardly wait to begin the process. Please keep updating your progress, I'm intrigued to see how things are holding up!
Congratulations for going poo-free. Our family switched to homemade soap and rinsing in vinegar and it works, too. Been doing that for 10 years now and wouldn't look back.
To enhance blond highlights, follow your vinegar rinse with a rinse of chamomile tea. It will bring out all your blonde highlights and with consistent use you'll see a glow on your hair. Chris
This is awesome. I think I'm going to try it! I use 3 different shampoo's because I swear my hear got used to using just one and looked greasy and horrible! I love the idea of no shampoo at all. I am saving this and will try to start this week!! Thank you!!
If you have blond hair, using lemon juice instead of the vinegar will do the same thing but brighten your hair, as well. My mother used it on me for years, until the color changed. Baking soda rules! Thanks for sharing your journey. Come visit when you can.
I have been using just conditioner for months and my hair is unbelievably soft now. I will have to start using the ACV and Soda method to see if that works any better. People always look at me funny when I tell them I no longer wash my hair. Sounds yucky, but my hair looks good so that is all that matters.
I am hosting a Best of 2011 Blog hop and would love you to come link up one of your best posts of the year!
It was hard for me at first because my hair was so oily but it really has gotten thicker and curlier like you read. You can also put coconut oil in your hair as a leave in conditioner!
I got all my shampoo/deo recipes from here:
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/natural-body-products-on-a-budget-part-1.html
hugs,
Jenny May
(Also I noticed your ticker under the header.... congratulations!! I'm 30 weeks myself. Hope you're feeling wonderfully!)
I personally haven't used shampoo or conditioner AT ALL since AUGUST.
At first, I kept postponing making the switch to only baking soda, but now that I use it I wouldn't want to return to the other. I started using baking soda and applecider vinegar in July, but washed my hair twice in Aug. using shampoo. (to make sure I would look nice for a wedding- but- my hair actually looked WORSE!)
So I'm on my 4th month, and I vary between
1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons BS/cup of water per wash. It's good to leave the BS sit for five minutes on your head after you massage it in. I follow with apple cider vinegar, like you, and sometimes I rinse it out, sometimes not. I HAVE read that ACV enhances DARK coloured hair, so since I like my original blond tone from childhood (:)) I recently switched to using PLAIN Vinegar instead of the apple cider. Obviously, I am still testing between the two. I would like to hear what you think about the ACV and your light toned hair, which is lovely, by the way.
I think the baking soda really helps- EVERYTHING! I don't have curls, but my hair waves a little better now, as well as staying smoother, and I've noticed a lovely difference this winter season, with my hair not having static like in years past! And my hair has grown much faster recently, too!
Oftentimes, after a wash, I massage aloe vera in.
To conclude this lengthy comment, I find that I have to wash my hair less and less now, and that my hair doesn't really get DIRTY like when shampoo was used. Instead, it just gets flatter and flatter....Ha ha. :)
Please visit my blog:
http://mazzoumemories.blogspot.com
I look forward to sharing about our healthy hair journey! I hope to blog about this topic soon. Every girl needs to know how easy it is to use Baking soda! (Even travelling with it is simple!)
Thanks for being patient through this lengthy comment!
anyway, keep it up!
This is amazing... who knew? Your hair looks nice and shiny. I wonder if I could talk our teen aged daughter into this method. We spend a fortune in shampoo and cond...
Happy New Year!
Deb
Thank you for visiting my blog! I honestly can't remember how long the oily stage lasted for me...I don't think I had it very badly, since my hair was usually oily before. But I think everything became normal after a month or so.
I want to correct what I said about ammounts of Baking Soda. I said I use 1-2 Tablespoons per cup of water per wash, but all I meant was I sometimes need 2 Tablespoons BS per 2 cups of water. That's all.
MAMA T: I read your comment, and I heartily recommend apple cider vinegar, since that is known for curing dry scalp! In addition to using the ACV as a rinse, you can make a tea of it by steeping some with rosemary, thyme or comfrey and rubbing a little into your scalp every night! It really works. Aloe Vera does also.
Th great thing about Vinegar as a rinse is, despite its strong smell, it softens the hair and moistens the scalp. It even cures sunburn, which is good since I don't always remember to wear a hat in the summer!
If anyone is having problems with vinegar rinse making their scalp or skin prickly after the shower, just rub aloe vera on.
Have fun! :)
Teresa
http://edenhills.wordpress.com
Have a healthy new year!
p.s. I found your blog via the Homestead Barn Hop linkup :)
Now my hair is almost shoulder-length...slightly wavy...and very oily. I don't know if any of your other readers have really oily scalp. Have any of you tried the no poo method? How has it worked for you?
Oh, and what about tangles. Do you find it easier or more difficult to comb out your hair afterwards?
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)
I am so excited I stumbled upon this at the beginning of a new year. I can hardly wait to begin the process. Please keep updating your progress, I'm intrigued to see how things are holding up!
www.noblewomen4christ.org
To enhance blond highlights, follow your vinegar rinse with a rinse of chamomile tea. It will bring out all your blonde highlights and with consistent use you'll see a glow on your hair.
Chris