Baking Soda on Hair: Benefits and How to Use

Did you know that baking soda can be used as a natural hair care product? That's right, this kitchen staple can actually help to improve the health of your hair! While it may seem like an unlikely beauty ingredient, baking soda has a variety of benefits for your hair.

In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the ways that baking soda can benefit your hair, as well as how to use it properly. So if you're interested in learning more about this surprising hair care secret, read on!

Baking soda for hair

Baking soda is another name for sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is a fantastic neutralizing agent for oils, silicones, waxes, and other common haircare materials because it solves them. Baking soda has become quite popular among those worried about the synthetic nature of commercial shampoos. It's effective at removing oil and may appear to be a natural option for dealing with unruly oily hair.

Baking soda's crystal structure may also be used as an exfoliant when combined with an oil or a conditioner to help remove dry skin and debris from the scalp.

What to know before using a baking soda shampoo.

As with all home treatments, baking soda shampoo should be treated with care. The high pH of baking soda makes it alkaline. Your scalp's natural acidity protects against bacterial and fungal development, just like the rest of your skin.

When your hair is damaged, it becomes more acidic. This makes alkaline goods like baking soda hazardous to your scalp's pH level. The high alkalinity of baking soda can damage the hair cuticle, leaving the hair dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage.

Instructions for using a baking soda shampoo.

Baking soda shampoo can be used as a scalp scrub, according to devotees of the product. Its abrasive texture may exfoliate and cleanse the scalp, comparable to that of a scalp scrub. There isn't any scientific research regarding this usage, however, the benefits are purely hypothetical and anecdotal.

Do you want to give it a try? Here's how to make and use this popular hair care treatment:

1. Know when you need a baking soda shampoo.

Let's talk about when you should use clarifying shampoos. When your scalp is clogged with dead skin cells, sebum, and sweat, it produces white flakes that are similar to dandruff. This happens when hair treatments, dead skin cells, sebum, and sweat combine and overstay their welcome on the scalp.

Clarifying shampoo may also be required if your hair is hurting: Although it may seem strange, all that gunk can lead to scalp inflammation and, eventually, painful hair.

2. Make your own mix with baking soda and water.

To create a homemade baking soda shampoo, you'll need 1 part baking soda and 3 parts lukewarm or cold water. (Avoid using warm or hot water since the baking soda will clump up.) Use 2 to 3 teaspoons of baking soda and 6 to 9 tablespoons of water if you have shoulder-length hair.

Adjust the amounts as needed if you have hair that is shorter or longer. To make a thick paste, mix the components in a tiny dish. Some shampooers choose to add a few drops of essential oil to their mixture. After filling an empty and clean bottle with the solution, use a funnel to make things easier.

Don't make the shampoo and then store it for later, as this will cause it to become cloudy. The shampoo is best created just before use, so don't do it until then.

3. Apply the shampoo to wet hair. 

Rinse your hair until it is completely wet before turning off the water. Apply the shampoo in a circular motion, starting at the scalp and working your way down to the tips. The mixture will feel gritty and "goopy," which is normal.

It also won't lather or foam-like traditional shampoo because it doesn't include any soap. Work the solution into your scalp, but don't scrub hard. If you're not careful, the rough texture of baking soda might irritate your skin. Allow 1 to 3 minutes for meditation (enjoy a quick sess), then wash out the shampoo with warm water.

4. Follow with an apple cider vinegar rinse.

If you're going to use baking soda shampoo, remember to complete it with an apple cider vinegar rinse. Baking soda has a strong pH, which pours the hair cuticle open. Apple cider vinegar will help seal the hair cuticles and give it shine by defrizzing the hair and moisturizing it.

Apple cider vinegar will also balance the scalp's pH after using baking soda, keeping it moisturized and protected. Diluted apple cider vinegar, like baking soda, may cause irritation in some skin types. Only use it when you need a clarifying treatment; don't overdo the rinse.

5. Dry and style your hair as normal.

After your rinse, you may dry and style your hair as usual. If you have fine or delicate hair, though, you might want to take additional precautions to avoid over-drying. Letting your hair air dry or using a blow dryer on a cool setting are two good options.

Many people also like to apply hydrating oil to their ends after the shower. Coconut oil, olive oil, and argan oil are some of the most popular ones.

6. Find the frequency that works for you.

Baking soda shampoo is a new product that needs time to be adequately incorporated into your hair care routine if it is at all possible. If you have oily locks, a weekly treatment plus washing hair regularly may work. However, if you have a dry hair shaft, using it as a substitute for normal shampooing every few days might be more effective. Everyone is different.

Even if you maintain the same frequency, your ideal tone might vary depending on the seasons. The same thing goes if you alter your hairstyle or exercise routine. What's most essential is that you take notice of your own hair growth and scalp requirements.

Can you use baking soda on all hair types and textures?

Although baking soda is gentle enough for everyday use, people with very dry or color-treated hair should limit its use to once a week. If you have curly or kinky hair, you might find that using baking soda shampoo leaves your locks feeling dry and brittle. In this case, it's best to reserve this treatment for special occasions.

Can you use a baking soda mixture to wash color-treated hair?

No, not unless you enjoy watching that hue swirl down the drain. Bring on the baking soda, though, if you want to remove color hair dye that you don't want as quickly as possible.

You can expect a lot of dryness as if you were bleaching your hair, so prepare to moisturize liberally afterward.

Benefits of using baking soda

Following are the benefits of using baking soda on hair:

• It helps to remove built-up products, oils, and dirt.

• Baking soda can help to brighten blonde hair.

• It is a great way to clarify your hair if it feels heavy or greasy.

• Baking soda can help to balance the scalp's pH.

• It is a gentle exfoliator that can help to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.

• Baking soda dissolved in water is a great way to get rid of product build-up if you use a lot of hair products.

• It can help to remove chlorine and minerals from your hair if you swim in a chlorinated pool.

• Baking soda is great for removing odors from your hair.

• It can help to calm an itchy scalp.

Risks of using baking soda

1. Dryness

Baking soda is effective at cleaning, but it may also remove natural oils from the hair, resulting in dryness. There's a lot of oil in human hair. Although too much oil makes the hair look greasy, some oil is required to maintain scalp health.

If the oil is simply washed away, the hair may appear dull. Ingredients in typical commercial shampoos moisturize and cleanse the hair. Using a natural conditioner that includes coconut or argan oils might assist to restore moisture.

2. Breakage

Baking soda is a kind of salt and features abrasive crystals that are small. The hair is fragile, and these tiny crystals may damage hair strands, resulting in split ends and breakage.

3. Scalp irritation

Baking soda can also irritate the scalp. It's not suggested for individuals with dry scalps, sensitive skin, or other ailments that cause eczema

How to make baking soda shampoo at home

The following are the ingredients and directions for DIY baking soda shampoo:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup baking soda

1 cup water

Directions:

1. Mix the baking soda and water together in a squeeze bottle or jar. Shake or mix well until the baking soda is dissolved.

2. Wet your hair and apply the shampoo, starting at the roots and working your way down to the tips.

3. Massage the shampoo into your scalp for a few minutes, making sure to get it all over.

4. Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.

5. Follow up with an apple cider rinse if desired.