4 Natural Remedies for Stripping Build Up from Your Hair

Too much build-up from hair products and minerals in hard water can make your hair appear dry, brittle, and drab. Natural hair rinses are easy to make and use only two simple ingredients. When used alongside your usual shampoo and conditioner, natural hair rinses not only remove all that build-up, but also make your hair appear soft and shiny. This article will give you four simple recipes to try, using ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.

Ways to Get Rid of Build Up in Hair

Mix vinegar and water to make a vinegar rinse, then wash and rinse your hair like usual.
Or, apply a baking soda rinse (baking soda and water), then rinse and condition your hair.
Alternatively, mix lemon or lime juice with water so the acid will dissolve build-up.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Vinegar to Remove Build-up

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1
Gather your ingredients. Putting vinegar in your hair may sound strange, but the vinegar helps remove build-up. It also balances the pH of your hair, smooths down the cuticles, and leaves your hair feeling soft and silky. Keep in mind, however, that this rinse is not recommended for color-treated hair, as it may cause the hair dye to fade or run. Here is what you will need to make this rinse:
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 milliliters) of vinegar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) of cool water
- A cup, mug, or bottle to hold the rinse
2
Prepare the vinegar rinse. Pour the water and vinegar into a cup, mug, or bottle. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Stir the vinegar and water with a spoon to combine the ingredients. If you are using a bottle, you can simply close the bottle and shake it.
- If you have longer or very thick hair, then double the amount: 2 to 4 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups (450 milliliters) of water.
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Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.

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Professional Hair Stylist

Our Expert Agrees: If you have light product build-up on your hair, dab at your roots with baby wipes dipped in apple cider vinegar. However, if it's heavy build-up, you should wash your hair as soon as possible. Build-up can affect your scalp health, and depending on the product, it can even lead to fungal growth.

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Consider adding some essential oils to your vinegar. Instead of using plain vinegar, you can add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil to 1 cup (225 milliliters) of vinegar. Shake the vinegar to mix the oil in, then use this vinegar in your rinse (1 to 2 tablespoons of infused vinegar per cup/225 milliliters of water) instead of the regular vinegar. Do not use this infused vinegar undiluted in your hair. Not only do essential oils help mask the strong odor of vinegar, but they can also be beneficial for your hair. Here are some essential oils that you can use, depending on your hair type:^{[1]
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- If you have dry hair, you can use any of the following oils: lavender, myrrh, and peppermint.
- If you have normal hair, you can use any of the following oils: chamomile, clary sage, and lavender.
- If you have oily hair, you can use and of the following oils: basil, lavender, lemongrass, lemon, patchouli, rosemary, tea tree, and ylang ylang.
Take your favorite shampoo and wash your hair as you normally would. You are doing this in order to remove most of the dirt and oils. You may also follow up with some conditioner, although the vinegar rinse will be enough to make your hair look smooth and shiny.
Tilt your head back and close your eyes tightly. Pour the vinegar-water over your head, so that it runs from your hair line, down your hair, and to the ends. Do not let the vinegar-water get into your eyes. It will sting and burn a lot.
Gently run your fingers through your hair and over your scalp. You might feel and see some soap bubbles forming in your hair. This is normal, and means that the vinegar-water is working. It is removing all that build-up that has accumulated in your hair.
The cold-temperature will help seal the hair cuticles. You can also leave the vinegar rinse in your hair. Don't worry, the strong smell will disappear once your hair dries.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Baking Soda Water to Remove Build-up

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1
Gather your ingredients. In this recipe, you will be using a baking soda rinse to remove build-up from your hair. Here is what you will need:^{[2]
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- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 3 cups (675 milliliters) water
- A bottle or pitcher to hold the rinse
Pour the water into a large bottle or pitcher. Add the baking soda and stir with a spoon until the baking soda is completely dissolved.
Soak your hair with water and gently massage your favorite shampoo into it. Rinse the shampoo out. This is to get rid of the initial layer of dirt and oil.
Tilt your head back, close your eyes, and pour the baking soda solution over your hair. Make sure that it goes from your hairline, down your hair, and towards the ends.
This is to get rid of any residue from the baking soda.
While it helps to remove build-up, baking soda can also be a little drying when it comes to hair. You can prevent your hair from becoming too dry by washing your hair again with some water and your favorite conditioner. Be sure to rinse your hair well—unless you are using a leave-in conditioner.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Baking Soda Paste to Remove Build-up

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1
Gather your ingredients. In this recipe, you will be using a baking soda paste to remove hair product build-up from your scalp. Here is what you will need:^{[3]
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- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) of warm water
- A small bowl or cup to hold the paste
Pour the warm water into a small bowl or cup, and add in the baking soda. Gently stir the mixture until you get a thick paste.
Gently massage the paste into your scalp with your finger tips. Do not apply the paste to your hair.
During this time, you can wash the rest of your body.
Tilt your head back and rinse the paste. Massage your head with your fingers to get all of the paste out. The paste will also run down your hair, and help remove any buildup.
Once you have removed all of the baking soda paste, you can wash and condition your hair as you normally would, using shampoo and conditioner. Be sure to rinse your hair out well.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Lemon/Lime Juice to Remove Build-up

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1
Gather your ingredients. The acidic nature of the lemon or lime juice will help dissolve any build-up in your hair. Keep in mind, however, that lemon juice and lime juice can lighten your hair, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun.^{[4]
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Research source} Here is what you will need:
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or lime juice
- 3 cups (675 milliliters) of water
- A pitcher or large bottle to hold the rinse
Fill a large bottle or pitcher with 3 cups (675 milliliters) of water. Add 1 tablespoon or lemon juice or lime juice. Stir everything with a spoon to combine.
Use your favorite shampoo and rinse everything out.
Tilt your head back, close your eyes tightly, and pour the rinse over your hair. Be sure that it runs back from your hairline, down your hair, and towards the ends. Let the rinse sit for a few minutes. Be sure not to get the rinse into your eyes, or it will sting.
After a few minutes, tilt your head back, and rinse your hair using plain water.
Once you have gotten all of the lemon/lime rinse out, apply some conditioner to your hair. You are doing this because the lemon/lime juice can cause your hair to become dry; using conditioner will prevent this from happening. Be sure to rinse the conditioner from your hair—unless you are using leave-in conditioner.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What is sebum buildup?

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

Sebum is the natural oil produced by your scalp to moisturize your hair. If you aren't washing frequently enough or your scalp is overproducing the oil, it can build up and make hair look greasy.

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Question

What is product build-up in 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

Certain ingredients used in styling products aren't water soluble, so over time, they leave residue behind on the hair that can make it dull and prone to static. This residue is product buildup.

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Question

What is the best clarifying shampoo and conditioner?

Klare Heston, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker
Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).

Klare Heston, LCSW

Licensed Social Worker

Expert Answer

Conditioner isn't usually "clarifying" because it's designed to add moisture, not remove dirt or impurities. My favorite clarifying shampoo is Davines SOLU. Neutrogena also makes a good and affordable clarifying shampoo.

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You may see a lot of soap suds when using these rinses. If you do, that is a good thing and means that the rinses are working for you. The suds are all the build-up washing away.

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The amounts given in these recipes are guidelines; you may need to use proportions depending on your hair type. More oily hair will require more vinegar/baking soda/lemon juice, while drier hair will require less. You should never use undiluted vinegar/baking soda/lemon juice on your hair, however.

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Your hair may feel dry after these treatments, but after using the rinses a few times, your hair will feel soft.

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Warnings

Avoid using these rinses too often, as they may cause your hair to become too brittle and dry. Instead, use them only once or twice a month.

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Lemon juice can lighten your hair, especially if you go out into the sun a lot.

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Avoid getting any of these rinses into your eyes. Vinegar and lemon juice especially will make your eyes sting. If you do get any rinse into your eyes, simply rinse your eyes out using cool water.

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Vinegar may cause hair dye to fade or change.^{[5]
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