I'm going No 'Poo

vioburn · **I'm going No 'Poo**

Yes, you read right. I have decided to try not using shampoo! I've been reading a lot lately, and I found about the great uses of baking soda and ACV (apple cider vinegar). As of Tuesday, I decided to try washing my hair with a handful of baking soda and then doing a hair rinse of an ACV mixture (1/2 cup of ACV and 2-3 cups of water...some people use less ACV). The first day I just used the baking soda, my hair seemed fine, but my scalp itched just a little. My hair seemed a little messy, but I solved that with a pony tail. The next day I used only the baking soda again, but took a little conditioner to my hair, because my hair hits below the middle of my back and was a little hard to comb through the first day. The third day, I searched online and found the ACV rinse idea, so I decided to give it a try. It made it so that I didn't need conditioner. I added a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture, to try to cover up the vinegar smell. I always let my hair air dry, so after it dried, there was no ACV smell at all. Just a little hint of lavender. My SIL's both told me that my hair smelled great and asked what I had used. DH told me that my hair was beginning to look better than it has in a very long time. I have to admit, it is looking smoother than it has in so long.

I was warned that most people's hair goes through a transition period and your hair may not look that great for up to 2 weeks, but after that, it will be soft and hold a style without effort. I also read that this is a great idea if you have dandruff or an itchy scalp, because after about 2 weeks, you will be saying good-bye to flakes and itching forever. The ACV rinse helps make it so that your hair is easier to comb through and it also closes the shaft of the hair, to make it lay smoother and look shiny. If your hair seems to be getting dry, add a little honey to the ACV mixture and that will give your hair more moisture. The ACV rinse was huge in the 50's and 60's to make girl's hair shine, except they poured it on straight, not diluted...I think that is too much. I would recommend diluting.

I read the following articles, which give directions and amounts of the baking soda and ACV.

Why You Should Go No ‘Poo
farmlet.co.nz » Blog Archive » Baking Soda and Vinegar Hair Wash

If you google "baking soda hair" or "vinegar hair rinse" you will come up with all sorts of support for both of these. Imagine not ever having to buy shampoo or conditioner again! I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my mega bottles I already have of the stuff!

treehugger · 08-10-2007, 05:05 PM

This sounds so cool!!!!

I color my hair, do you think that the vinegar would remove the color?

Lucky Mom · 08-10-2007, 05:10 PM

Wow! Very cool! Thanks for the info. I will definitely have to try that!

vioburn · 08-10-2007, 05:14 PM

I'm not sure. I'll see if I can find something online about it. I did find the following website that talks about natural ways to color your hair, some include vinegar. HTH!

Using natural hair care products for coloring your hair

ETA: I found a page that gives the following info:

Home-made haircare tips to brighten Color-Treated Hair:

Different types of vinegar can brighten up color treated hair or bring out the natural highlights of your own natural hair.
Here are three vinegars and who they're good for. The ratio for all colors is One cup vinegar to two cups of water. Apply to freshly washed hair, leave on 5 minutes, and rinse. The odor of the vinegar will not stay:

White vinegar if you're a blonde.
Raspberry vinegar if you're a redhead.
Balsamic vinegar if your hair is black or brown.

HairCareGoldenRules.com: homemade remedies and tips for your hair

momma2boys · 08-10-2007, 05:31 PM

This is really interesting. Imay just have to try it. Thanks for the tip!

Kellyandgirls · 08-10-2007, 05:52 PM

Cool I think I will def have to try this!! tho I am in a wedding in 2 weeks and Ill wait just in case I go thru the transition thing!! anyhow thanks!!!

searching4 · 08-11-2007, 10:11 AM

Do you think it will be cheaper to use vinegar and baking soda every day instead of shampoo? I do have dandruff and itchy scalp (even a few sores), I've seen the doctor and she just recommended Nizoral shampoo. I've been using it for a couple of months with no success!! I don't see any difference with it

. I really hate it, I am a very clean person and wash my hair every day, but it makes you feel like people think you are dirty or have head lice if they see you scratching your head all of the time!!! It would be great if the vinegar worked! Do you think it's the vinegar that helps, the baking soda or the combo? I have light brownish hair with blond highlights...should I use white vinegar or the apple cider one? Sorry for all the questions

, but where would I get the lavender oil? Thanks.

vioburn · 08-11-2007, 11:17 AM

searching4: I have the same dandruff problems that you described, and I have had absolutely no success with any shampoo from the store, medicated or natural. Actually the more I washed, the worse it seemed to get. Sometimes they work for a little while, but sooner or later, they stop working for me. So far, the baking soda and vinegar seems to be working really well. I've only been doing this since Tuesday, so I'm still new to doing it. I think that it's the baking soda that is helping my scalp and the vinegar that is keeping my hair soft and making it so that I can comb it without it being tangled. My hair is also light brown with natural blond highlights. I started off using the white vinegar, but I think it's up to you, which one you want to use. The link I posted in post #4 says white vinegar for blondes, and basalmic for black or brown hair. I would think that if you don't want your hair to get darker, either white or ACV would be fine. Also, I get the lavendar oil at the health food store, but you can order it online, too.

All in all, I'm really happy with my results so far. I'll keep you posted on what happens in the next week.

I also wanted to give this warning...DO NOT let the vinegar get in your eyes! The first time I did it, I got some in my eyes and it stings like a you-know-what!

Oh, and about if I think it will be cheaper to use baking soda and vinegar, instead of shampoo and conditioner...YES. I do. I get the 12 lb. bag of Arm and Hammer at Sam's club for less than $5 and vinegar is dirt cheap, especially the white vinegar. Sam's has 2 gallons for $3.18.

RileysMom117 · 08-11-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vioburn

Yes, you read right. I have decided to try not using shampoo!

That is soooo not what I thought this thread was going to be about when I read the title "I'm going No 'Poo" and I am greatly relieved.

That sounds like a neat idea. We are getting low on shampoo so I might try it this week. Thanks for the tips!

schmobes · 08-11-2007, 01:03 PM

I have been seriously considering this for a while, after having read a couple of articles. But there were very few who talked about it long term....so I'll be interested in what you feel you hair is like in a couple of months! Thanks for the info!