Have You Used Apple Cider Vinegar On Your Hair?
Every time someone new comes over, I wonder if they’ll be alarmed by the magnum of apple cider vinegar that sits next to my tub. The salad-dressing staple, most of us know, is amazing for use on our hair, in part because its pH is similar to that of most conditioners—making it an easy nontoxic way to get smooth strands without forking over the big bucks for a fancy conditioner.
(Not that I don’t love forking over for fancy conditioner. Because I do.)
What’s fun about ACV is that there seems to be no end to the different ways people will use it. I’ve tried it as a stand-alone conditioner, and as a treatment—heck I also used to drink the stuff every night before bed—but here’s what works best for me:
About once a week, after I shampoo (with shampoo, not ACV), I pour a little of the stuff on the top of my head. Then I put conditioner on my ends, and wait a few minutes. Maybe I shave my legs, or exfoliate with a washcloth or something. After a few minutes, I rinse it all off, and voila! Silky shiny tresses. Mmmmm. Well, sort of.
There’s a slight issue of smell.
A couple of months ago, Virginia from Beauty Schooled and I met for a glass of wine at Eataly and she relayed a very funny story about going for a hair cut and having her stylist catch a whiff of vinegar on her still-damp hair. (Read her laugh-out-loud post about it here.) I’ve had this problem too, and I’m big on smell, so it bugs me.
So the other day, when Tricia from Yourjoyologist.com tweeted at us about using ACV as her shampoo, I had to ask her: What do you do about the smell??
Well, Tricia wrote us a letter:
I have been washing my hair with just the water and Apple Cider Vinegar for almost a month now and loving it. I was wary at first, but since none of the shampoos I have been trying lately have been to my liking I figured why not?
I am quite active and sweat a lot. I did notice that in some of the hot yoga classes I take I can smell vinegar, but its not too bad. One time, my sweat went into my eyes, and stung a bit, but that only happened once.
I have been putting Argan oil on the ends while it is still damp and that is it. I have not needed any styling products at all.
Two days ago out of laziness, I used my Kiss my Face shampoo and conditioner, which I bought because Alicia Silverstone and her site recommended it, and I had to seriously load on the products after and it still didn’t look as good as it has been with just the ACV and argan oil. Also, I have always battled dry scalp dandruff and using the ACV I have not had any scalp issues. The day I washed with shampoo last week my scalp Immediately started to itch like crazy.
Quite the endorsement! So we want to know: Have you used ACV on your hair? If so, how? Conditioner? Shampoo? And what on earth do you do (or think about) the smell?
Image of vintage French apple cider poster via
I buy vinegar (apple cider and white) by the gallon for cleaning, laundry, personal care, pickling, it’s indispensible! I started using acv on my hair years ago because I had long dreads and milked cows for a living. Don’t get me wrong, I love the smell of a dairy farm, but I didn’t want the smell lingering. Dr. Bronner’s was great for cutting the smell but my hair got crunchy if i used it too much, the vinegar made my dreads so silky, and also as good smelling as dreads get! I had to dunk my head in a tub and really swish it around to rinse though. PITA! I usually use it on my hair now on the weekends in lieu of washing my hair (which I’ve tried to stop washing numerous times, but I am just a greasy gal.) Sidenote: ACV in a cool bath feels good on a sunburn, or if you’re itchy from berry vines or prickers pour it straight and it will kill the itch. It burns like hell tho so be prepared!
I tried it for roughly a month, with an occasional baking soda through the really oily moments with my naturally occuring oily scalp. Same exact scenarios occured with the smell being slight when I did hot yoga, as well as the occasional burning eyes when sweat got into them. I will also say that it was very tough for me to be comfortable with the feeling of my scalp the way it was… feeling like I had tons of product in my hair, but really it was just me adjusting. My coworkers kept telling me that my hair looked amazing. I ended it and switched to Intelligent Nutrients just because I couldn’t manage the weight I felt my hair took on, but evidently it looked amazing and shiney. I feel that I.N. shampoo does a mild version of naturally allowing your hair to be its own way. I recommend every try it for a month. Its a bit alarming how morphed we have become in thinking how our scalp and hair should be.
I have used ACV as a conditioner after I shampooed with baking soda and water. The smell was quite pungent after I came out of the shower, so I stayed in the apartment until my hair dried. Usually, I wash my hair and say a little prayer (for no frizz) as I run out of the apartment with my wet head but ACV is a bit too strong for my comfort level. I do want to start using it again after my Hugo Naturals runs out because my scalp is just SO dry and unbelievably flaky .
i’ve been washing my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar for over a year now. i started it because i heard that it was a cure for dandruff, and have stuck with it because it is good for my scalp and hair and it is 100% natural (and cheap!!!)
But the smell… :/
I switched to using this months ago:
http://www.workingmomgoesgreen.com/2011/01/i-promise-you-wont-smell-like-salad-all.html
I love it. I do have to really make sure it’s all out of my hair as if I don’t I will smell like salad dressing
After reading your book I remembered that years ago my mom kept a spray bottle of apple cider and water in her shower, she used it instead of conditioner for a long time, so I decided to try it. I also stopped using shampoo and have been first rinsing my hair in baking soda and water and following that up with an apple cider rinse. Its been a few months now and my hair looks great. In fact, not too long ago my husband said to me, “Wow, you have super model hair!”. He’s not one to really notice hair so it was a ringing endorsement. He’s never noticed the vinegar smell. I do every once in while particularly if I’m exercising, but the results to my hair are worth it. I’m sticking with it!
I’ve used it with the baking soda as shampoo combo, and I did like it too because it made my hair feel really smooth! (I’ve recently switched to trying nothing at all). Do most people dilute it into a cup of water?…what kind of ratio of water to ACV do you use?
The smell did bother me and I had the experience of smelling it again if I was sweating from a run or yoga.
The other day I actually tried using it as a way to soften my leg hairs before shaving…and it worked. The only trouble is that it is not highly viscous so it basically ran off my legs.
I use a tablespoon of ACV per 8 oz of water and shake really well before I pour it on my hair. I don’t use all 8 oz at once- I keep it stored in old cleaned shampoo bottle. My hair is always beautifully shiny and less frizzy and never smells like salad dressing! Also, when I do yoga and sweat (like a monsoon) it doesn’t smell either. Diluting it really helps.
I’ve been experimenting a lot for the last six months & have discovered that neither baking soda or ACV works for me. Baking soda (even when it’s heavily diluted) makes my hair crunchy, & ACV made my hair feel sort of heavy. And, yes, the smell is horrid. I’ve tried argan oil on my ends, but I didn’t like the results of that either. What works best for me seems to be shampooing once a week & conditioning every day (I’m currently using one from Nature’s Gate).
I use vinegar to rinse my hair, either Apple cider or white vinegar. I have a 16 oz bottle that I keep in the shower. I use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and then add about 30 drops of essential oils. I use a mixture of sweet orange, palmarosa and lavender. It leaves a nice scent and my hair is always really soft. Also, I only use a small amount, let it sit for a minute and then rinse it out. The bottle usually lasts about 5 days before I have to fill it again. It’s been working for me for a few years now!
I started in Dec using ACV and sometimes I use baking soda to wash with. I used ACV more often when my scalp starts itchy and dry and flakey. It varies on everyones hair the amount. If your hair is dry use less baking soda and more ACV.
I love acv in my hair. I usually use it after scrubbing with baking soda or alone. The smell is not my favorite, but I rinse rinse rinse to make sure it’s all gone. It makes my waves curlier and leaves my hair with lots of volume when I decide to blow dry. It makes my hair soft and shiny no matter if it’s straight or wavy.
This is more related to the soap-free bathing topic, but I’ll include it in case anyone is interested. Warning: the title is misleading. Got Soap? Maybe You Don’t Need It . . . http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-no-soap-20110121,0,4686488.story
Like Melissa, I used to use one part ACV to three parts water, and never noticed any lingering smell after rinsing / drying. I stopped using baking soda or ACV rinses a few months ago and now only rinse with water, and my hair and scalp feel just fine. Also, I’m 4 days into the no-soap challenge, and I’m proud to say I’m stink-free :)
I use ACV as “shampoo” once a week, and following the baking soda wash I do about once every 3 weeks. All other days I “wash” with just water. The ACV is always diluted, about 1 part vinegar to 6 parts water. It’s important to do an ACV rinse after using backing soda in order to lower the pH…baking soda is way too alkaline.
But as a curly-haired gal, I still have to use conditioner after my ACV rinses.
How funny that this was posted today because I used ACV on my hair for the first time on Tuesday. In the book you guys say to rinse it out but when I went to buy it at the health food store the girl told me to pour it in my hair and leave it in and that the smell would go away no problem. So i shampooed, put conditioner, poured the part ACV/ part water in my hair and then got out of the shower. The smell was really strong and i thought it would go away like the girl said…but it didn’t and I had to make an unwanted trip to my hair dresser to get the smell out today. She started washing my hair and after about 2 minutes she said “Have you started to use new product because your hair smells really different”. So my first experience with ACV was not a good one. I have thick curly hair and it absorbs everything. I want to at least give the ACV another chance and this time rinse it out, but the smell was not nice and I found it made my hair heavy also.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for thick, curly hair which I straighten on a regular basis.
I’m debating whether to purchase the Intelligent Nutrients or John Masters products?
I use an ACV rinse (~2 T. in 12 oz of warm water) after shampooing with half liquid castile soap, half water and a tiny bit of jojoba oil in a squirt bottle. If I rinse completely it doesn’t smell at all, even with a work out. To deal with the heaviness that can come with water in some areas, I use John Masters Zinc and Sage Shampoo with Conditioner every other day or so. Perfect shininess! I love it.
I got onto ACV a few weeks ago for my hubby to use for a scalp problem he has suffered from off and on for a couple of years now.
After having ditched the old anti-dandruff shampoos (thank goodness!) and trying out a few other options including bi carb soda and no shampoo at all, I thought we’d give ACV a go.
Bless him, he agreed to give it a go, even after he got a wiff of the lovely scent :)
And you know what, after only a couple of goes (using as a leave in treatment after washing with a clean shampoo first) his scalp has cleared right up! And it’s been much better ever since.
I would probably get him to use it on a weekly/fortnightly basis and it’s been really working wonders.
I never have before, but I just might now… All of your articles and challenges have really pushed me in trying new, healthier methods of caring for my hair.
I’ve been using ACV instead of conditioner since about November and I’ve never noticed a smell, nor has anyone mentioned one to me (and believe me, the people I spend time with regularly would be telling me about it). But I mix two tablespoons to about cup or so of water, it might have more of smell when used straight from the bottle I dunno. I’ve noticed a major improvement: my hair looks really nice but more importantly I can get it into a pony tail while still wet, it’s easier to get a brush through, it actually co-operates with hair clips and stuff. I am enjoying my hair for the first time since I was about 18 and had a pixie cut I was constantly spiking and twisting into odd shapes. I tried it out because of a post on Crunchy Betty .http://crunchybetty.com/?p=2178 I’m in the middle of trying out her “no ‘poo challenge” so far not too bad, I hafta give it more time before I decide if I am won over. But at least I know that shampoo with ACV instead of conditioner works awesome on my hair. :)
The hair and scalp are both healthiest when slightly acidic, however most of our shampoos and conditioners are rather alkaline and leave our hair more basic as well. That’s just part of the reason that an occasional apple cider vinegar and water rinse can really restore the health and shine of your hair, while its naturally antibiotic and antibacterial characteristics fight the causes of dandruff and itchiness.
Daniel P. Kray
Author, “Apple Cider Vinegar: A Modern Folk Remedy” available from major retailers through Earth Clinic.
I’ve been using it almost identically to how Trish describes in your post. I started the “no shampoo/conditioner” regimen this month, but needed something to help cut the oil in my hair. I use it daily, diluted 1:1 with water. The ACV has made the transition manageable. I’ve also been using argan oil on the ends.
I don’t mind the smell – I’m not crazy about it, but it won’t stop me from using the stuff. I have had to change my routine a bit so I’m never leaving the house with wet hair, though!
I forgot about ACV for the hair!
I read about your no soap challenge and can’t quite wrap my head around it. It has, however, prompted me to wash even less.
About 6 months ago, I started only washing with soap on M-W-F in an attempt to have more balance, more moisturized skin.
Since the no soap challenge, I’m down to washing my “naughty parts” and face. I’m off soap for the rest of me :)
Now, I’m going to do the ACV. No shampoo? I dunno. For now, I’mma start with probably a 1v:3w mix and I love the idea of it being in a spray bottle!
As far as smell… I’ve been using 1:5 vinegar to witch hazel mixture on my face before bed every night and it’s done WONDERS for my pms breakouts and my skin shines beautifully…. And even having my face coated with it, I never notice the smell…
I’ve recently discovered your blog and I love it :) I’m a little inexperienced in the No Dirty Looks arena, but I’m looking forward to learning. I realise hair dying has sits own problems, but can you use ACV safely on highlighted hair? Do you have any other natural remedies to use on coloured hair?
Does it have to be ACV? Could I perhaps substitute.. rice vinegar? I’m curious to try it out but if I’m choosing between “off” aromas I’m thinking the rice vinegar will be better than apple cider.
I added some good-quality peppermint oil to my ACV and that really helped. Rosemary is also good for the hair and a nice smell.
After having been fearless about using baking soda, I was hesitant to open the ACV, the bottle just kept staring me down in the shower. I waited for a long weekend, afraid of the smell, to crack open the pH and see what it yielded – fabulous hair! The baking soda was doing a great job of getting that clean feeling, but the ACV got clean and conditioned! I’ll say that I’ve learned just how diligent to be about rinsing with the baking soda, anyone worried about crunchy or smelly hair, you’ve really got to rinse, and dial down the heat a bit. While I usually love scalding showers, the hot water strips hair just like it does skin. So if I wasn’t clear, totally a fan of the ACV. I usually touch up condition, or trap whispy baby-hairs and fly-aways with coconut, almond, jojoba, argan oil (I’m an equal opportunity oiler :)
Oh and a quick add, if you’re missing hot showers, I’ve found a bath once a week is a fabulous treat and with some coconut oil, lavender or essential oil of choice, and a bit of sea salt, the soak is super conditioning!
I’ve used it for years to clarify my hair. It began when my kids were swimming all the time and their hair was so crunchy it was immobile. After searching for possible remedies, after a salon told me of their special $50 treatment, I figured I would try the ACV vinegar first. What I do is mix about 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water in a spray bottle and douse the hair. Let the vinegar penetrate for about 15 minutes then wash and condition as usual.
Detailed instructions here. I swear by it and have never had a smell.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5551996_restore-dry-hair-vinegar.html
Samala, I think rice vinegar should work just fine. It’s the acid that makes it so effective. I often use coconut vinegar with great results.
Today is the morning after using vinegar as a conditioner. I love the body, shine, look, and feel of my hair. Typically I suffer from dry and itchy scalp and dry fly away hair. My hair is more manageable and beautiful. I’ll take the smell any day for a comfortable scalp and beautiful hair! I’m sticking with this new found PH balance remedy.
I just have to say that I tried ACV as a rinse after shampooing 4 days ago and I can say that only after tonights (daily) shower can I NOT smell that damn stuff. It may have made a difference for my oily/dandruff scalp however I could smell the ACV almost all the time. I do a lot of physical labor for work as well as be in some very humid (80%+) and warm environments and every time, as well as any time I got sweaty I could smell it. I do have a rather strong sense of smell though, but it was not bearable for me.
The ACV smell. Yeah, it is pretty annoying to go round smelling like a chip. No matter how many fries I ate, I was still craving more deep fried potatoes drenched in vinegar. But I had fantastic hair every day though.
Then I read that final rinsing with a solution of lavender oil + water helps cut the smell. In fact it does such a good job that even when your hair gets damp during the day (bcs of sweat or rain) it just smells faintly of lavender or.. peppermint, depending on the oil you used. Perfect :)
It is my first time to do the ACV rinse and I was amazed with the results. My hair felt clean, soft and shiny after doing it. I’m so glad I can now stop using shampoo and use ACV instead. It’s much cheaper and more natural compared to the shampoos being sold currently in the market. My only concern is that I used the distilled type of ACV. I wonder if I should switch to the unfiltered one. They say that raw ACV has more nutrients than the clear-looking ones.
I know this is an old post, but i was searching around and thought i’d put in my two cents in case another person like me is searching through the archives.
I have been using vinegar on my hair of for maybe a week and a half and….
My. Hair. Is. Gorgeous. and it s thanks to a 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water mixture. after shampooing (or sometimes not, depends on the day) i soak my hair with it, leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly and voila! my hair feels better, its much tamer, and it actually holds style much better. That last one is great because i one of my last dirty products was a curling mousse, but i dont need it anymore!
hooray for vinegar!
I just tried Baking Soda and ACV per the no poo buzz. Google it!. It’s AWESOME. My hair is SO soft and silky..
As for smell, the ACV did smell when my hair was damp, but I blow dried it with my Sedu Revolution which has an ionic setting the takes away the smell. My hair smells clean!
OH DEAR, I washed my hair, rinsed and put ACV on my hair (but DID NOT rinse). My hair was so crunchy and dry. I think I may have ruined my hair. I washed it when I got home and conditioned like crazy, and still straw-like.
HELP! Anyone have any suggestions?
I just tried baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse for the first time. I waited a few days for my hair to get nice and greasy to see how it would cut it. I was terrified that I’d smell like vinegar, so i put a couple tablespoons of ACV in a small cup and added a few ounces of water and about 6 drops (maybe excessive) of peppermint oil. I also put peppermint oil in the baking soda paste i made. The peppermint almost completely covered up the ACV smell while i was using it and there was zero trace of ACV after rincing! My hair is completely oil free, and my hair just has a nice light clean smell with a hint of a sweet peppermint scent and ZERO oil left in my hair. Just super fresh feeling, soft, light and bouncy. OMG I love it!