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Annie B. Bond

Vinegar for Hair? Ask Annie

posted by Annie B. Bond Nov 5, 2008 11:00 am
filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie, Hair Care, , , , , , , , ,
Vinegar for Hair? Ask Annie
47 comments

Dear Annie, I’ve read that vinegar is good as a hair rinse. Is this true? It surely is cheap enough, but why does it work? –Jenny, VA

Dear Jenny,
Hair rinses are meant to soften and nourish your hair and return it to its naturally acidic pH. Organic apple cider vinegar is a good rinse for the hair and scalp; it not only returns them to their naturally acidic pH, it is an alpha hydroxy acid and removes dead skin cells from the scalp and residue from the hair.

Try making your own apple cider infusions by soaking lavender or rose petals in the vinegar for a few months, straining and using the resulting vinegar as a hair rinse! Make the concoction in a glass jar, such as a canning jar, and fill with the plant matter and then cover it all with vinegar screw the lid on tightly and set for at least six weeks. This also makes a nice holiday gift. Good luck!

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47 comments

47 comments

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47 comments add your comment
Caralien S.

If you have a very sensitive nose (like mine--I can smell when the person in the next room puts on hand lotion), don't use vinegar. Even with copious amounts of lavender, it smells. If, however, you and anyone who may be close to your head doesn't have an overly acute sense of smell, by all means try this!

Christie C.

Borax and baking soda are both alkaline. And borax, wow! It is very caustic, eg it is recommended you use gloves when using it to clean with because it causes SKIN IRRITATION. I hear about people making bath bombs out of borax, too, and wonder if they bothered to read the ingredients on the box or did absolutely no research before using it. MSDS sheets are freely available on the net! Borax has harsh surfactants and detergents added to sodium borate- no bueno for your skin! The reasoning behind using baking soda is that it softens hard water, but I would only use it if you have really hard water and this is causing your skin/hair issues. Vinegar cut with water works great and is the ONLY thing I use on my hair. If the smell bugs you, try a stronger dilution like 1 part vinegar to 4 water, add an essential oil like clove or lavender, and rinse really well. You shouldn't notice any smell after that :)

Kathleen R.

Try 1tsp of baking soda to a cup of water for a natural shampoo, followed buy an apple cider rinse to neutralize your hairs condition. You may not have to wash as often either. I read it on the net, so I've not tried it yet. Let me know how it works.

Past Member

Growing up poor in the 50's, I always used a vinegar rinse (vinegar added to rainwater) on my hair. I always had/have compliments on how glossy and healthy my hair is. It brings out the natural highlights/variations in your hair and leaves it silky smooth, very beautiful. Vinegar is so marvelous for so many uses...

Anne Kirkwood

Vinegar is also great for using as a fabric softener for your towels! Good for the environment and stops the fabric softener from building up in the towels that makes it water resistant. I throw it in with everything but i was told it was esp good for towels.

It's also great for cleaning the shower/any glass surface! :)

Annie Flanders

i actually use vinegar in my drinking water each day -- use the bragg's apple cider vinegar.

Meredith H.

If you look up apple cider vinegar you will find it reacts alkaline in the body like limes and lemon juice. And it is supposed to alkaline inside. The skin has an acid mantle to protect it.
Vinegar also kills germs so you can use it as you might chlorine (yuck) in your kitchen. Check out the vinegars:
http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/acidalkfoods.html

Past Member

WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN ALKALINE BODY - SO WITH THIS ACIDIC STUFF??

Carla Passalacqua

A friend suggested drinking a small shot of Apple Cider Vinegar bcuz it's good 4 your Health. After reading this article I think I'm going 2 try it on my Hair today!! Can't wait =o) Thank you!!

Meredith H.

I quit buying toiletries because of the chemicals making me ill. I use borax to wash my hair and I rinse with vinegar just like when I was a kid. We also collected rainwater in barrels to use on our hair.
I mix vinegar in water, 1:5 so it's not 100% and leave on. My hair is soft and shiny red! I also pur some over my skin to make it acidic again.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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