DIY Baking Soda Shampoo: The Best Homemade Remedy for Hair Growth

It’s a very easy concoction:

• baking soda
• lukewarm water
• small bowl

Combine and mix until evenly dispersed and it becomes a paste.

Instructions for using a baking soda shampoo.

According to fans of baking soda shampoo, its abrasive texture can exfoliate and cleanse the scalp, almost like a scalp scrub. There isn’t scientific research on this specific use, though, so the benefits are purely theoretical and anecdotal.

Interested in trying it? Here’s how to make and use this popular hair care treatment:

1. Know when you need a baking soda shampoo.

Since clarifying shampoos aren’t for daily use, let’s talk about when you should use them. The main sign is when you notice excess scalp buildup, which you can usually feel on the scalp, and it often produces white flakes similar to dandruff. This happens when hair care products, dead skin cells, sebum, and sweat get together and overstay their welcome.

You might also need a clarifying shampoo if your hair hurts: As strange as it sounds, all that gunk can cause scalp inflammation and, eventually, painful hair. Ouch.

2. Make your mix with baking soda and water.

To make DIY baking soda shampoo, you’ll need 1 part baking soda and 3 parts cool or lukewarm water. (Steer clear of warm or hot water, which will make the baking soda clump up.) If you have shoulder-length hair, use 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 6 to 9 tablespoons water. If you have shorter or longer hair, adjust the ingredients accordingly. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until they form a thick paste. Some shampooers like to add a few drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into a clean and empty bottle; an old travel-size shampoo bottle is perfect for the job. Use a funnel to make this step easier.

Note that the shampoo works best when it’s made right before use—so don’t make it and then store it for later.

3. Apply the shampoo to wet hair.