Recently, I noticed that my hair was looking a little dull. Even with a new hairstyle, my hair still looked heavy and I didn’t like the results. So, I switched to a different shampoo, and while my hair temporarily became shiny, it quickly disappeared. Then, I switched to a more refreshing conditioner, but it still didn’t work as well. At this point, I did what any savvy girl would do – search the internet.
After poring over countless search results, I came across a tried-and-true home remedy. It promised to remove product residue and mineral buildup, leaving me with thicker, healthier hair. I figured, why not give it a try? After all, I already had all the ingredients: apple cider vinegar, water and baking soda.
I followed the instructions to the letter (see below), but the first day’s results weren’t ideal. My hair felt a little dry, and I’ve never had a frizz problem like this before – it was messier than a busy airport. The more I combed, the messier my hair got. But the next day, after proper washing and conditioning, the results were incredible. My hair looked bouncier, fuller, and curled much better than before. The hair stayed in perfect condition for days afterward.
I repeated this treatment a few weeks later when my hair started to look a little worse for wear again. First day – dry hair. After that – beautiful hair for over 10 days!
Now, some of you may be thinking, “Why not try a detangling shampoo?” Well, I’ve used Neutrogena’s Stain Removing Shampoo, which didn’t work well (and led to serious scalp issues), and I’ve been afraid to try other shampoos ever since.
If you want to try an affordable purifying treatment at home, try this simple recipe. One caveat, though: this recipe can get a little dirty, so use it before cleaning your shower.
Step 1: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Mix 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/2 cup water. This is a pre-shampoo rinse. I mix these ingredients in a bowl, but if you have an old squeeze bottle (like the one that holds ketchup), it can easily be used as well. Set it aside to use later.
Step 2: Baking Soda Paste
Mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a thick paste. I used 1/4 cup of each and then put it in a self-sealing bag to make it easy to carry around without messing up your bathroom.
Step 3: Rinse your hair
Once your hair is wet, apply the apple cider vinegar rinse. Tie your hair up and hold for 3-5 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse your hair until the vinegar smell is completely gone.
Step 5: Apply baking soda paste
Next, apply from roots to ends, making sure to distribute evenly. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
Step 6: Rinse again
Rinse your hair thoroughly to remove the paste.
Step 7: Shampoo and condition your hair
Finally, shampoo and condition your hair as usual. Dryness in your hair may appear on the first day, so it wouldn’t hurt to use some leave-in conditioner.
Give it a try and see how your hair reacts – this could be the solution you’ve been looking for!