It’s time for another post that belongs to the series ‘I’m testing weird ideas that I’ve found online’.
This time I’m trying to find out whether getting your hair washed with baking soda is possible and if so, how it influences the state of hair. If you want to know whether it’s beneficial to use an alternative to your regular shampoo and wash the hair with baking soda, read on 🙂
BAKING SODA IN PERSONAL CARE
If you happen to be an eco-maniac, you probably know baking soda really well. It’s a remedy for all your beauty-related problems. A perfect, universal and irreplaceable agent that found its application in beauty.
Why do we use baking soda in personal care?
- This is a natural antibacterial substance that soothes irritations, detoxifies and cleanse thoroughly.
- Has alkaline pH – this means that it raises hair cuticles which, in turn, helps wash down dye from hair (when we aren’t satisfied with the results). Also, this facilitates penetration of nutrients delivered with masks, conditioners and oils.
- Deals with unpleasant aromas well therefore it makes hair and skin remain fresh for longer.
- Is a highly effective agent that absorbs excess sebum, so it can be used as a anti-bacterial mattifying powder or dry shampoo.
These are the most important, yet not the only properties of baking soda. It should be realized that it’s commonly used in personal care products because it’s an effective alternative to many cosmetics containing chemicals. Nowadays, when we approach the issue of personal care more consciously, knowing natural substitutes for synthetic substances matters.
WASHING HAIR WITH BAKING SODA
Baking soda used instead of a regular shampoo? It works, but you have to know that it won’t lather as the shampoos you are used to.
Baking soda’s principle of operation is simple – it cleanses deeply because it has alkaline pH and opens hair cuticles. As a result, just a really small amount of baking soda is able to free hair from sebum, cosmetic residues, dirt and toxins. And as you probably know it, such cleansing is needed by hair and we should do this once in a while.
Mind you! Too frequent use of baking soda on hair isn’t beneficial!
It should be realized that such aggressive home treatments might produce adverse effects when used for too long. Of course, if you do this from time to time, you can take achieving stunning results for granted. However, when overused, you may expect baking soda to cause damage to the hair, dehydrate it and irritate skin.
I use baking soda once (in some situations twice) a month to help my hair and scalp get rid of cosmetic build-ups. My regular hair care routine focuses on applying SLS-free shampoo and natural beauty oils.
D.I.Y. SHAMPOO. HOW TO WASH HAIR WITH BAKING SODA?
Using baking soda to wash hair doesn’t differ much from regular hair washing. The only thing that makes the whole procedure different is the use of baking soda instead of a commercial shampoo. At the end you have to rinse hair with an acidic hair wash but it doesn’t take much time. It isn’t difficult at all either.
Some people report using a mix of water and soda (1 spoon baking soda for half cup water) and rubbing it into hair. Personally, I go for a mixture that includes a shampoo.
Recipe for deeply cleansing hair shampoo with baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking soda,
- 1 spoon shampoo (this time with SLS),
- half cup tap water.
How to wash hair with baking soda? First, you have to dampen the strands. Then pour the soda+water+shampoo blend over your hair. Start massaging scalp gently trying to spread the lather over the entire hair length. Wait 2 minutes and rinse hair twice. At the end, use vinegar hair wash (or other acidic hair wash) to help close your hair cuticles and leave hair shiny.
Fun fact!
I noticed that hair washed with baking soda is clearly better cleansed (you can feel it) but – what’s most important – hair gets oily slower. This means that I don’t have to wash hair as often.
How about you? Do you wash hair with baking soda? 🙂
