How to Make Your Hair Silky and Shiny with Vinegar

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: August 14, 2024 Fact Checked

Centuries ago, people discovered that vinegar makes hair look silky and shiny. A simple mixture of vinegar and water smooths the hair cuticle and cleanses buildup. Using white or apple cider vinegar after shampooing your hair is an excellent way to revitalize its texture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Simple Rinse

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1
Mix vinegar and water. Plain vinegar is too strong to use on hair, so it's important to dilute it with water first. One-fourth cup of vinegar and one-fourth cup of water should be enough for a single hair rinse.
- If your hair is quite oily, you can add an extra tablespoon of vinegar. If your hair is dry or you tend to have dandruff, add a tablespoon of water.
- Curly hair and color treated or permed hair should be treated with a much more diluted solution, anywhere from 2 to 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar.
- Either distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar work well here. Many prefer using apple cider vinegar in the shower because the smell is less intense.^{[1]
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  Research source}
- Apple cider vinegar can remove a lot of dead skin on your scalp.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  
  Expert Interview. 1 June 2021.}
- Apple cider vinegar may also be a good choice if you have psoriasis or eczema on your scalp.
2
Shampoo your hair as normal. Go ahead and wash your hair with your normal shampoo. If possible, use lukewarm or cool water. Using hot water causes hair to look dull and frizzy. Cold water will help your hair shaft lie flat and contribute to the shiny, smooth look you're after.

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3
Skip the conditioner. Since you're using a vinegar rinse, there's no need to condition your hair after shampooing. The rinse will leave your hair soft and smooth.
4
Pour the rinse into your hair. Slowly pour it over your scalp and try to distribute it evenly over the top of your head. Use your fingers to massage it into your scalp and smooth it into your hair from the roots to the tips.
5
Wait five to ten minutes. This will allow the rinse to fully soak into your hair. Use the time to complete your shower routine.
6
Rinse your hair with cool water. Give it a quick rinse to remove the extra vinegar from your hair. There's no need to go overboard, since the smell of the vinegar will be gone once your hair dries.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Interview. 1 June 2021.}
7
Dry your hair as usual. Either let it air dry or use a hair dryer to dry your hair. When you're finished, it will be silky and soft. The vinegar smell should be gone.
You may love the results of your rinse so much you're tempted to repeat it every time you wash your hair. However, vinegar can dry out your hair if you use it too often. Use it just once or twice a week to remove buildup in your hair and restore shine.

Eliminate frizz before a special event. "I was maid of honor in my best friend's wedding and wanted my naturally frizzy hair to look smooth and sleek for the photos. The apple cider vinegar rinse was a game changer - my hair air dried soft and frizz-free without needing extra products." - Bencious K.

Balance moisture after coloring. "I recently went redhead and the color stripped my hair. The vinegar rinse brought it back to life. I add a touch of oils to replace the lost moisture. My stylist is amazed at how healthy my color looks between appointments." - Deb C.

Detangle efficiently after swimming. "As a competitive swimmer, my long hair gets incredibly tangled from chlorine and being stuffed under a cap. The vinegar rinse smooths my strands so I can comb through quickly without breakage after intense practices." - Rande B.

Remove hard water buildup from travel. "On a recent beach trip, I could feel my hair getting weighed down by minerals in the water. When I got home, one vinegar rinse dissolved all the gunk and restored softness. It's now my go-to for clarifying after vacations." - Jean C.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Custom Vinegar Rinse

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1
Try adding a tablespoon of honey. Honey has both clarifying and moisturizing properties, making it a great addition to a hair rinse. This is especially helpful if your hair tends to be a little dry. Honey also smells fantastic and can combat the vinegar smell while you're in the shower. If you want to try adding honey, here's how to do it:
- Make your vinegar rinse with warm water to help the honey dissolve. Pour it into a container with a lid.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of honey.
- Put the lid on the container and shake well before use.
2
Use an egg white for extra shine. Egg whites, like vinegar, clarify hair and make it look beautifully shiny. Since you've already got the vinegar out, why not try adding an egg? You can also use an egg white in place of vinegar if you happen to be out when your hair needs a rinse. Here's how to use an egg white in your rinse:
- Mix up your vinegar rinse as normal. Place it in a container with a lid.
- Separate one egg, letting the white drop into the container with the vinegar. If you have dry hair you can apply the yolk to the ends for extra moisture.
- Place the lid on the container and shake well before use.
3
Consider using a little oil to moisturize your hair. If your hair is quite dry, you can massage a bit of oil into the ends before rinsing your hair with the vinegar. Try:
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon almond oil
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil
4
Scent the vinegar with nourishing herbs. If you're having trouble with this rinse because you don't like the smell of vinegar, you might want to try scenting it with herbs. The herbs impart a gentle scent that helps to mask the vinegar and make it more pleasant to use. Here's how to do it:^{[4]
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- Mix your vinegar rinse as usual, and pour it into a small saucepan.
- Add a tablespoon of your favorite dried herb, like lavender, rose hips, sage, mint, or rosemary.
- Bring the rinse to a simmer and let the herbs cook for 10 minutes.
- Strain the herbs from the rinse and let it cool before use.
5
Try it with essential oils. Using essential oils is another easy way to mask the scent of the vinegar and make your rinse smell great. Some essential oils are even beneficial to hair in their own right. Mix up your rinse as usual and stir in 5 to 10 drops of one of these essential oils:
- Lavender. It has a soothing effect and is often used in skin and hair products.
- Tea tree oil. It can help combat dandruff and has a strong herbaceous scent.
- Lemongrass. This energizing scent effectively masks the vinegar smell.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can vinegar damage your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Vinegar is not damaging to your hair but it could lead to dryness if overused. Only apply to wet hair, dilute it with some water, and don't use it more than once a week.

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Question

What happens if you put vinegar in your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Vinegar adds shine to hair by closing the cuticles. You should only add vinegar to wet hair.

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Question

What does apple cider vinegar do to your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Cider vinegar (and any other type of vinegar) will reduce the pH of the hair which causes the cuticles to lie flat, creating a protective seal. On the downside, it can strip away some of your hair's natural oils.

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Tips

Keep a spray bottle of one of the mixtures in your shower. Use it for stripping the residue from your hair as well as to keep the soap build up off your shower walls.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you use the egg whites with the rinse, make sure you rinse with cold water, not hot water. If you use warmer water, you'll be pulling bits of cooked egg out of your hair.
You can use lemon juice instead of vinegar if you're in a pinch. They'll produce a much similar texture in your hair.
I've had a lot of success mixing honey and aloe vera with the warm water and vinegar.

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Warnings

Do not get the solution into your eyes as it will sting.

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Make sure the vinegar is mixed with water.

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