Shampoos are great cleansing agents for our natural hair. However, they are formulated with ingredients that tend to leave our scalp and hair dry and dull, cause scalp irritation, and strips the hair of moisture. In this article, I will be sharing with you alternative ways to wash your natural hair besides using a shampoo. So, keep reading!
1. Baking Soda
One of the best alternatives to shampoos is baking soda. Baking soda is made up of an alkali PH which makes it able to get rid of dirt, excess oil, and buildup from your scalp. Also, baking soda helps to restore the shine in your hair and make it softer.
How to use baking soda to wash your hair
What you need
- baking soda
- bowl
- Apple cider vinegar
Step 1: Mix the baking soda with water
- First of all, pour one tablespoon of baking soda into a bowl and dilute it with three full cups of water. To be able to use baking soda safely, you need to add lots of water. This is because baking soda contains a Potenz Hydrogen (PH) level of 9, which is too high for our natural hair which has a PH of 4.5 - 5.5. After mixing, you will get a cloud-like solution.
Step 2: Apply the mixture to your hair
- Next, apply the mixture to your hair and use it to wash your scalp for two minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.
Step 3: Apply Apple cider vinegar
Remember I told you that the PH level of baking soda is 9, a level too high for our natural hair which has a PH of 4.5 - 5.5? So, after cleansing your hair with baking soda, you need it to return to its normal PH so it does not irritate or dry out your scalp. Simply, apply the Apple cider vinegar on your hair, leave it in for between two to three minutes, and then rinse out.
Caution: While baking soda is safe for natural hair, for some naturals, it may irritate their scalp. So, before you use it, make sure to do a skin patch test to see how your skin reacts to it. To do a skin patch test, simply put a little amount of the apple cider vinegar on the back of your palm (make sure it is clean) and leave for 24 hours. Also, do not use baking soda to wash your hair all the time. Due to its high PH level, it may cause your hair to dry out.
2. Lemon Juice
Yes, you heard right, lemon juice! When used to wash natural hair, lemon juice can remove dirt and dandruff. Also, if you have excessive oil on your scalp, lemon juice will help you get rid of them, and also leave your hair smelling nice.
How to use lemon juice to wash your hair
What you need
- Lemon juice
- Water
Step 1: Mix lemon juice with water
- First of all, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of water and stir.
Step 2: Apply to hair and rinse
- Next, apply the mixture to your hair, leave it in for between 5 - 7 minutes, and rinse.
Caution: While lemon juice will help get rid of excess oil in your hair, prolonged use may end up leaving your scalp dry. If you don't have excess oil in your scalp, you can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the lemon juice mix before you use it. The use of lemon juice may also cause some naturals to experience phytophotodermatitis on their scalp, a condition that causes redness, spots, and blisters. To avoid this, do a skin patch test and observe for a few days to see how your skin reacts to it.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a popular and safe alternative for shampoos. This helps to remove product build-ups in your scalp and kill germs. Also, most shampoos contain strong ingredients that disrupt the PH of your natural hair. Apple cider vinegar contains a PH of 2 - 3.5 which helps to balance the PH of your natural hair. Apple cider vinegar will also help you to close your hair cuticles, thus preventing any form of hair damage while leaving your hair smooth and shiny.
How to use apple cider vinegar to wash your hair
What you need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cups of water
Step 1: Mix the apple cider vinegar with water
- First, add two to three tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar to three or four cups of water. Stir the mix.
Step 2: Apply the mixture to your hair
- Next, apply the mix to your hair and leave it to sit for three to five minutes. Then Rinse thoroughly.
Caution: The acid in Apple cider vinegar is too high and prolonged use will cause hair damage. So, do not use it more than two to three times a month. Also, never use Apple cider vinegar without diluting it first because of its high acid level.
4. Bentonite Clay
Like Apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay is another popular and great alternative to shampoos. It draws out toxins from the hair, thus getting rid of dirt, excess oil, and buildup. Also, it provides your hair with minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium, and protects your hair from fungal and bacterial infections. Finally, it gives your hair some shine and helps to define its curls.
How to use bentonite clay to wash your hair
What you need
- Bentonite clay
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Plastic bowl
Step 1: Mix the bentonite clay and Apple cider vinegar
- Pour one and a half (½) cup of bentonite clay, one and a half (½) cup of apple cider vinegar, and one and a quarter (¼) cup of water into a plastic bowl. Stir until you get a smooth creamy texture.
Step 2: Apply to the hair
- Next, apply generously to your hair and leave it to sit in for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Caution: Do not use a metal spoon or bowl to mix your bentonite clay as this could cause it to lose most of its nutrients.
5. Castile Soap
Castile soap is made up of water, lye, and olive oil, ingredients that makes it gentle for use on your natural hair. It helps to get rid of dirt, excess oil, and buildup on your scalp and hair without leaving it dry.
How to use Castile soap to wash your hair
What you need
- Castile soap
- Cups of water
Step 1: Dilute the Castile soap with water
First, make sure to dilute the Castile soap with 1 or 2 cups of water before using it.
Step 2: Apply to your hair
After you are done, simply rub the mixture on your damp or wet hair, scrub with your fingertips and rinse out.
Caution: Do not use it on colored or dyed hair as it can cause the colors to fade out. Do not use it without diluting it with water first as it is too strong and may strip your hair of its natural oils.
6. African Black soaps
African Black soaps are another great alternative to shampoos. These traditional soaps are usually made up of shea butter, cocoa butter, and olive oil. They are rich in iron, vitamins A and E which help to get rid of dirt, excess oil, dandruff, and buildup on your scalp and hair. They also help to soothe irritation and itchiness on the scalp.
How to use the African Black soap to wash your hair
What you need
- African Black soap
Step: Wash the hair thoroughly with the African Black soap
- Simply apply to your damp or wet hair in the shower, scrub with your fingertips, and rinse thoroughly.
Drawbacks: Because African black soaps are mild, they may not fully get rid of build-ups on your scalp. So, if this is going to become a full part of your wash day regime, I advise that you use a clarifying shampoo once a month to get rid of dirt and build-ups.
7. Conditioners
The process of using only conditioners to wash your natural hair is known as co-washing. Conditioners are formulated with ingredients that are gentler in comparison to those present in shampoos. Conditioners help to remove dirt from the hair while leaving it moisturized.
How to use conditioners to wash your hair
What you need
- Your favourite hair conditioner
Step 1: Apply conditioner to your hair
- Simply apply your conditioner to your hair, leave it for three to five minutes and then rinse off thoroughly.
Drawbacks: Conditioners will not completely remove dirt from your hair. So, it is recommended that you co-wash 2 - 3 times in two weeks while using a clarifying shampoo once every month.