After two posts about cleaning my hair without shampoo, I am here to answer more of your questions! Any more that you have, I’ll answer in the comments. Since several of you have asked me versions of these questions, I wanted to take some time to answer them in case they help others.
When I tried going shampoo-free, I struggled with how unevenly the baking soda and water mixture spread. It either took me FOREVER to wash my hair, or I ended up with big oily splotches where I had missed. Do you run into that? How do you handle it?
How long did it take for your hair to adjust to going shampoo-free?>>>>>>>Did it take a little while for your hair to get used to the switch? I tried doing this about a year ago and my hair was such a mess (super static-y ends but greasy scalp immediately after I blow-dried) that I gave up. I wasn’t using the tea oil, just baking soda and apple cider vinegar. – Jayme
Honestly, I didn’t really notice a definite ‘adjusting’ period – it seemed a little greasier at the roots, but I would just straighten my hair and didn’t notice it. Now, with the tea tree oil, it’s exactly like my shampooed hair, albeit a little more tangly right after I shower since I’m not coating my hair with the detangling chemicals in conditioner. Lots of people have experienced adjusting periods – perhaps they could leave their comments?
Do you know of any natural ingredients for color-treated hair? – Amanda>>>>>>>>
My only question would be what are the effects on color-treated hair? – Nilsa
Do you use natural ingredients like these on Gabe too? Topher has such sensitive skin that he develops a bad rash if we don’t use a certain laundry soap, shampoo, body wash, and lotion but that stuff is so expensive. Maybe natural would be better? – Holly
Do you use anything for a face moisturizer or is the oil combo enough to keep your face from getting dry? – Katie
It might depend on where you live and what the weather is like. In the summer, I used just the oil cleanser with no facial moisturizer, but I might have to use facial moisturizer in dry winters here. If your face feels dry after you oil cleanse it – increase the ratio of olive oil. (Conversely – if it feels oily, increase the castor oil.)
I have fine, thin hair and oily roots… do you think this would work for me? I can hardly go two days without washing right now and I’d really love to have more time between washes. I am weary though because I hate the way my hair feels when it gets greasy. You mentioned that you have pretty thick hair, so greasy roots might have not been a problem for you in the first place? – San
I can’t speak to your specific hair type, as I have fairly thick hair, but plenty of people with all hair types have been able to wash their hair this way. In fact, I even read a comment on one of the posts where a woman with fine, limp hair changed her hair by washing less and with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. You could always try to increase the amount of days between hair washes, then start with the no-shampoo route. You might just be surprised!
I am going to try this when my shampoo runs out!
Thanks for answering my question :) Topher still has cradle cap – we have special cradle cap shampoo and everything, but it’s still just ugh. Maybe it’s time for a change :)
You are awesome! Such an informative post. Thanks for sharing :-)
Comment for people who have thin hair that gets oily a lot after a day of not washing….try putting baby powder in your hair on the days that you don’t wash it, it’s amazing! Just put a bit in your palm and then flip your hair over and rub it in your scalp. It’s the cheap version of “dry shampoo” but I’ve found that it soaks up the greasiness and then I don’t have to wash my hair every day!
Side note: I just tried this chemical-free organic shampoo bar from the store LUSH….have you ever tried this Ashley or do you know of people who have? I really like it sofar, and it’s all natural!
Several years ago, I was actually diagnosed with basically adult cradle cap. I was given suggestions for all kinds of shampoos to help with it, with all kinds of harsh ingredients. I started using a tea tree oil shampoo and conditioner and it helped a lot. But ever since I started using baking soda and vinegar (for almost 2 years now), it has been non existent. Love it!
I had a question for you about your skin care – what do you use for sun protection on a daily basis? A lot of the natural face products don’t have an SPF in them, and if they do it’s horrendously expensive.
@Holly – have you tried using olive oil for your baby’s cradle cap? My son got cradle cap as a 1-year old (weird!), and the pediatrician and the barber both recommended rubbing olive oil on his head. It slowly dissolved the cradle cap.
I’m still not brave enough to try the no-shampoo route for me. Maybe someday!
I hadn’t realised you had started using the oil method until I read this & looked at the previous post about it. I had been looking into it for a little while & just started yesterday. I already like it, even though I know I’ll need to fine-tune my method a bit. Been considering the shampoo-free stuff too, just haven’t quite made the leap yet I guess. ;)
Did you use olive oil on your face when you were pregnant? I just started it about two weeks ago, and I LOVE it on my face. At first, it seemed like my acne was clearing up, and now it’s back with a vengeance. I’m 18 weeks pregnant, though, and there could be any number of factors contributing to my face. I really love the olive oil, though, so I’m going to stick with it (a little scared to touch castor oil while I’m pregnant, though).
I also just starting using baking soda and vinegar in my hair about a week ago. The first time I used it, my hair seemed REALLY waxy when I was scrubbing it with baking soda. I’ve heard that a lot of shampoos and conditioners are full of waxes, though, so I wasn’t too surprised. But the second time I washed my hair, I didn’t notice it at all. So far, I really like it. I can go about 3 days before my hair gets too greasy. Also? I blow dries WAY faster, but it doesn’t end up LOOKING dried out. Really nice.
I think baking soda won’t be making it a big deal but rather it makes sense if they have been truly effective on your scalp and hair. You can use anything else to replace your shampoo and will not be an issue at all not unless if they had been causing you some irritations.