This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Here’s a super easy apple cider vinegar hair rinse you can do in the shower in under 5 minutes! It helps to strengthen your hair, reduce frizz, and remove build up. A tried and true acv hair rinse recipe I developed a decade ago that’s been tested by over 10,000 people!
If the thought of using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse seems a bit out there, I totally get it. Before I added it to my hair care routine, I was a bit skeptical to say the least. The last thing I wanted to do was walk around with apple cider vinegar hair.
But, after doing a lot of research on the benefits, I decided to take the plunge. I’m someone who has a love for natural and holistic treatments, and can’t get enough of clean beauty products. Once I removed the harmful ingredients in my cosmetics, my skin completely changed. I even make my own DIY apple cider vinegar toner!
Which got me thinking about my most beloved asset, my hair. My hair and scalp is often dry, and because I workout often, my scalp can become itchy. Soon after, I started experimenting with applying an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. Truthfully, when I was experimenting with my ACV rinse recipe, there was absolutely no information available. I started from scratch, and spent months perfecting the formula.
Now, after using this hair rinse for over a decade, it’s one of my favorite ways to keep my hair and scalp healthy. The best part? You don’t need to buy expense or fancy products to do a rinse! All you need is a bottle of ACV from the grocery store, and a flexible pourable measuring cup. It’s cheap, easy, and effective!
If you’re already aware of the many benefits to apple cider vinegar—both internally and topically—you’re going to love this hair rinse.
Jump to:
Why use an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse?
Your hair is actually a two-part structure consisting of a follicle and shaft. Just below the surface of the skin are sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum through the hair follicle. This oil lubricates your hair and skin.
Your acid mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film that maintains and protects the overall health of the hair and skin, and it has a big impact on the appearance of your hair. The outer layer of the shaft, also known as the cuticle, is compromised of tightly packed overlapping scales. The acid mantle is instrumental in making cuticle scales lie flat, which gives hair a shiny, smooth appearance and protects from moisture loss.
Bad Hair Days
If you’ve ever had a bad hair day, it’s probably because of disruptions to your acid mantle. The acid mantle typically has a pH of around 5, which means it is slightly acidic. Many hair care products, treatments, and some shampoos are more alkaline (have a pH above 7), which can contaminate or remove the acid mantle.
When the acid mantle becomes alkaline, hair swells and the scales on the cuticle open. This leaves your hair susceptible to breakage. It also results in frizzy, brittle hair which has a “dull” appearance due to the fact that the hair is absorbing light instead of reflecting it. Hooray picture day!
Because apple cider vinegar is highly acidic with a pH of around 3, it can help reduce the pH of the acid mantle of the hair, leaving it smooth and soft. It also can help clarify and cleanse the scalp and remove build-up, which can improve growth and integrity of the hair.
What is Raw Apple Cider Vinegar?
Raw (or unfiltered) apple cider vinegar is simply the by-product of the fermentation of apples. Research shows apples are loaded with potassium, pectin, malic acid, and calcium. Fermentation fortifies the end product with even more beneficial acids and enzymes. When apple cider vinegar is raw or unpasteurized, it leaves all of the nutrients in the vinegar. This is why it’s important to find raw ACV on your hair.
Benefits
When diluted properly, this hair rinse can have some pretty profound benefits:
- Shiny, Frizz-Free Hair: Apple cider vinegar is packed with nutrients that are great for building luscious locks, including B vitamins, vitamin C, and potassium. Because it is slightly acidic, it also serves to restore the natural pH of the acid mantle. This hardens the outer layer of the hair and flattens the cuticle, resulting in hair that shines, slides easily, and is less prone to tangling or snagging.
- Clarifying: Apple cider vinegar contains natural alpha-hydroxy acid, which gently exfoliates the scalp and hair, allowing for removal of dead skin cells and build up that can occur from sweat and/or conventional hair products. This improves the appearance of the hair, reduces itchiness, and allows for better styling.
- Restores Balance: For those who experience scalp-related conditions such as dandruff, apple cider vinegar can bring relief because of its antimicrobial properties. Research shows it may help stop the growth of fungus, which can be a cause of dandruff. In addition to being antimicrobial, apple cider vinegar is also anti-inflammatory, which can counteract the skin inflammation that typically occurs with dandruff and a dry, flaky scalp.
How to do an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
While it may seem a little odd at first, apple cider vinegar can fit right into your normal routine in the shower. Do this once a week to see the benefits:
- Clean: Shampoo your hair. Rinse with warm water.
- Mix: Mix the apple cider vinegar, water, and essential oil (optional) together in a 16 oz plastic squirt bottle or large cup.
- Pour: Lean your head back and pour the rinse over your head, working it into your scalp. Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes. Let the mixture sit on your hair for 1-2 minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse your hair with cool water. Use a conditioner afterwards.
Recommended Use
- For dry, itchy scalp: It improves the pH of the hair and scalp, and can help exfoliate dead skin cells.
- Clarifying at-home treatment: If you regularly use hair products, this is a fantastic clarifying treatment that helps remove build up.
- To improve hair growth and integrity: Reducing build up and improving the pH of the scalp and hair can improve hair growth and appearance.
- Anyone who wants a better hair day: Stress happens, and it can impact your hair. Use this once a week to restore hair, and make it smooth and shiny!
FAQs
Can I use an apple cider vinegar rinse if I have color treated hair?
Yes! The experts agree that apple cider vinegar is safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. If you have color treated hair and want to remove buildup (but not your gorgeous color), ACV is the perfect fit!
Should I do an ACV rinse before or after shampoo?
An apple cider vinegar rinse is a treatment. It is not a replacement for shampoo or conditioner. To apply it to your hair, shampoo first. Then, apply the rinse to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes, then rinse it out. Follow up with conditioner.
How does an ACV rinse help hair?
Because apple cider vinegar is highly acidic with a pH of around 3, it can help reduce the pH of the acid mantle of the hair, leaving it smooth and soft. It also can help clarify and cleanse the scalp and remove build-up, which can improve growth and integrity of the hair.
Expert Tips
- You can change the amount of ACV you use in the recipe according to your skin/hair type. If you have very sensitive skin, start with 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. You can work your way up to 1/4 cup if needed. If you have oily skin or an itchy scalp, use the full 1/4 cup.
- Applying this rinse once a week. You can use it up to twice a week if it works well for your scalp. If you have drier hair, you may find you do best applying this hair rinse 1-2x a month.
- To mix up the recipe, just pour the ingredients into a plastic squeeze bottle or large silicone measuring cup. I bought an extra one for the shower.
- Not interested in smelling like a salad? Never fear! Once you rinse it out, your hair will not smell like vinegar.
- If your hair is shoulder length or shorter, cut the recipe in half to 1 cup and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar.
- Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair after the rinse just like you normally would do.
More Skin Care Articles
- Apple Cider Vinegar Face Toner: Recipe, Benefits, & Tips
- Homemade Aloe Vera After-Sun Lotion
- Whipped Magnesium Body Butter
- Cycle Syncing Your Skincare Routine to Stop Hormonal Acne and Breakouts
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Here’s a super easy apple cider vinegar hair rinse you can do in the shower in under 5 minutes! It helps to strengthen your hair, reduce frizz, and remove build up. A tried and true acv hair rinse recipe I developed a decade ago that’s been tested by over 10,000 people!
Prep: 2Total: 2 minutes
Servings: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups water
-
¼ cup raw apple cider vinegar
- 2–3 drops lavender oil (optional)
Instructions
- Clean: Shampoo your hair. Rinse with warm water.
- Mix: Mix the apple cider vinegar, water, and essential oil (optional) together in a 16 oz plastic squirt bottle or large cup.
- Pour: Lean your head back and pour the rinse over your head, working it into your scalp. Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes. Let the mixture sit on your hair for two minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse your hair with cool water. Use a conditioner afterwards.
Notes
- Yes, you can use this rinse if you have sensitive skin or dry hair! That’s a myth. If you have dry or sensitive skin, use with 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in the recipe instead of ¼ cup.
- This is not a replacement for shampoo or conditioner. Make sure to shampoo your hair beforehand, and use conditioner afterwards.
- Use this rinse 1x a week for best results.
- Do not, under any circumstances, use undiluted acv on your hair.
- This DOES work on color treated hair! I have been coloring my hair for the last few years and it does not impact the color or tone.
Have any questions, insights, or experiences you’d like to share? Post them below! I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Primal Chai says
I tried this rinse today. I already use diluted baking soda as my “shampoo”, but my hair has lost it’s sheen. Now I have my apple cider vinegar “conditioner in a spray bottle in the shower… it’s super easy to apply to the hair this way.
I already am seeing a difference in the texture and appearance of my hair as it dries (softer, shinier!). Next time… I add a couple drops of bergamot oil to the mixture. 🙂
Noelle says
Sounds awesome, Kate! Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Star says
Baking soda is really bad for your hair. It has a pH of about 10.3 meaning it is alkaline…our hair is happy right around a pH of 5, slightly acidic. The reason your hair looks dull is because it is stripping your hairs natural oils and leaving your cuticle open. Even with using ACV after you are shocking your hair by changing the pH so drastically. If you were using it to avoid Sodium laureth sulfate you just replaced it with Sodium hydrogen carbonate. The salt is what breaks down oils and both compounds contain it. Just find a poo without it.
Malajube says
You do realize you can’t compare baking soda and sodium lauryl sulfate right? One occurs in nature, the other causes OTHER chemicals to pass more easily through the cell membrane. It’s not necessarily the SLS that is scary, but the fact that it does that and is mixed with a LOT of other chemicals you are in no ways familiar with makes it something I’d avoid.
Besides, baking soda occurs in nature and our bodies easily can handle processing it, as evidence by the fact that we eat it all the time. the 10.2 PH is what helps it break through any grease in your hair. Use it sparingly and there shouldn’t be any problems. I’ve been doing this for 4 weeks and my hair has never been shinier.
Lisa Cox says
I heard about this treatment with Apple cider vinegar back in the 1970’s… and I was very pleased. I have oily hair and since i’ve been coloring my hair recently…it helps rid shampoo residue as well. The smell disapates rather quickly.
Therese says
Helpful article on the rinse. Only thing that may confuse people when buying vinegar is, when you say “Raw apple cider vinegar leaves all of the nutrients in the vinegar, which is why it’s the preferred option over filtered apple cider vinegar” – that makes it seem like raw vinegar is the opposite of filtered vinegar.
Being raw doesn’t have anything to do with the filtration, it’s that it isn’t pasteurized. You can have unfiltered or filtered pasteurized vinegar and filtered or unfiltered raw!
Basharat says
Q: after rinse do I have to wash hair again?
Noelle says
No
Shirley Bass says
I try the baking soda shampoo and the Apple cider vinegar rinse on yesterday. after drying my hair me and my daughter saw a different softer,shiner and volume I love it going to continue using the baking soda and Apple cider rinse I would recommend this to anyone who will try it.
Sonya says
What is the measurement you use for Baking Soda shampoo and ACV rinse? I have been using from almost a year and have tried different measurements but still I have a lot of dandruff. Right now i am using the below measurements.
BS Shampoo:
1 cup water, 1 tblsp BS
ACV Rinse:
1 cup water and 1/4 cup ACV
Lili says
I’ve tried using rinses before and it’s silly, but what really bothers me is how it doesn’t have any viscosity. Can I add glycerin or aloe vera or something to thicken the rinse a bit?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Hi there! I wouldn’t recommend that. Sorry!
TANYA AGUIRRE says
Hello Noell, I found out from Hair Club . That my hair from the root is clogged thats why the hair wont grow. Will the apple cider vinegar will help. And if yes do mix it with hot warm or cold water.
Noelle says
Possibly! Give it a try and see how it goes! Mix will cool water. Good luck!
cmt says
The water where I live is very hard and I have fine, colored hair that breaks easily. I have a small plastic picture and before I get in the shower I fill it with about a cup of non-fancy/non-bio/cheap supermarket apple cider vinegar. I shampoo and condition my hair as usual. Then I put the pitcher under the shower head and add about 1.5 to 2 cups of water — warm water because it’s winter here and no way am I pouring cold vinegar water on my head. I slowly pour it onto my entire head, making sure to rinse all of my hair with it. That’s it. I don’t rinse out the vinegar water from my hair. When my hair is dry, it’s shiny and soft. I’ve done this the last two times that I’ve washed my hair and so far, so good.
Lulemon says
Baking soda (NaHCO3) is more alkaline than shampoos.
Why would you use it on your hair?
I swear, people need to learn basic chemistry.
Also, “its sheen”, not “it’s sheen.”
Katie Holmes says
I was suffering for weeks with greasy hair nothing could get rid of it, and after this rinse I’m free. I’m so delighted thank you.
Margot says
Very helpful information thank you
David Lopez says
I have dry scalp, tender scalp, red spots (follicle inflammation I am assuming, I don’t think it is psoriasis) dandruff, thinning hair and it feels like my scalp can’t breath. Will this help?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Possibly! Give it a try.
Diana says
Happy to hear a lot of positive comments on apple cider vinegar rinse.
Could you please help me about how to use it.. I use shampoo, conditioner and then mask. When should i use the rinse. Is it before or after applying hair mask? I have dry and brittle hair till the hip..i wash my hair once a week..What measurement of acv should i dilute in water!
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi Diana! All of the answers to your questions are detailed above!
Samiksha says
Do we need to rinse our hair after the apple cider vinegar rinse?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yes!
Angel says
Hi..
CaN i make ACV rinse in advance or bulk and store in my spray bottel in the bathroom cabinate ?
Thanks
Noelle says
Yes you can!
Becky Harris says
Do you rinse it out or leave the acv in your hair
Noelle says
As per the instructions above, rinse!
Niki says
Hi, is it okay to put non-diluted vinegar on my head?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I don’t recommend it.
Candice says
How long will this keep
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Mix it right before you use it.
Ilyn says
Hi Noelle, quick question – my hair is really thin..what should be the measurement for the ACV rinse?
Noelle says
Hi Llyn! I would go with 1-2 tbsp per 16 oz of water. Start with 1 tbsp first, and see how your hair reacts. Hope that helps! 🙂
Cheryl Dickson says
I use 2 TBLS ACV with 1 cup distilled water after my shampoo. I do not rinse the ACV mixture out.
Sometimes I use a leave in conditioner instead and I do rinse that out, otherwise my hair would feel “heavy” and lifeless. I shampoo once a week, as my scalp doesn’t produce any oil. Does that mean my hair is “dry”? I’m wondering how I can “hydrate” my hair!?!
My hair is long, very straight, fine, dull, and I always have split ends, not excessive but it’s discouraging to me. I’m wondering what I can do to get healthier, hydrated, shiny hair?
I appreciate this blog but just need more “personalized” help. Thank you!
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi Cheryl! Try the hair rinse above + use conditioner.
carmen says
Hi Noelle, ACE rinse is use as a hair conditioner, right?
Can I use this everyday?
Noelle says
Yes – and yes! 🙂 For the apple cider vinegar hair rinse, it’s best to make it just prior to use. Also, I personally put a little bit of organic conditioner on my ends after the apple cider vinegar hair rinse – although, some people find they don’t need that. Hope that helps!
VASH says
Hi Noelle,
DO you use ACV as a conditioner after every hair wash?
Or you have an alternate conditioner – as you mentioned above to use ACV only couple of times a month.
Noelle says
Hi Vash! I use the apple cider vinegar hair rinse about 1-2x a week – so, not every hair wash. Afterwards, I always use a little bit of an organic thicker conditioner on my ends. Hope that helps! 🙂
Zyreal says
Hello Noelle,
Just want to know if ACV rinse will make your hair straighter? I have a curly hair, and i’m worried if the curls will disappear when i use ACV rinse regularly. Thank you! 🙂
Noelle says
Hi Zyreal! That’s a great question. I’ve never heard of that happening – nor do I believe that it would do that as it simply acts as a conditioner. HOWEVER, I can’t guarantee it won’t happen. So, try it once or twice and see what happens! 🙂 Hope that helps.
elaine says
hi Zyreal! I use ACV rinse on my curly locks, without washing it out. It actually not only conditions my hair but makes the curls more accentuated!
Chris says
It actually restores your curls. I always straighten my hair but I also use ACV and I still have all of my curls
Sheel says
Hey Zyreal,
I have long and curly hair. ACV rinse makes them amazingly manageable and gives me soft, shiny and healthy curls. I do it once a week and it’s good enough to keep my scalp and hair healthy.
Taheera says
It will Make your curls more defined. I had heat damage in my curls and they’ve been brought back to life thanks to the ACV Rinses.
Eva Hodges says
Hi Noelle!
I have very curly hair. The thing about curly hair is our follicles are lifted most of the time, which is why we frizz and dry out so often and so badly. The ACV REALLY helps with shine…natural shine instead of added oils or sheen. Hope this helps
Denise says
I have curly hair too which is loosing its curl as I age and dont want to loose more. I want to try this too but curious about your results. How did this work on your hair, Z,?
Ashes says
ACV is very curl friendly! If you’ve ever heard of the curly girl method, it’s one of the natural things that’s very much approved.
Jessica says
That’s fascinating that it has been curl friendly for so many people responding! I have mostly pin straight hair…except for this annoying patch of wavy hair in the back (not cute waves!), and that had always kept me from being able to air dry my hair without having to use a straightener. Since using an acv rinse twice a month, I have been able to air dry, and it is all perfectly straight! I guess it works for both hair types and just accentuates whichever you happen to have!
Debosmita says
Hi!! I have used my regular shampoo, then conditioner and then apple cider vinegar mixed with water.. is it required to wash hair again with water?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
No need to wash. Just rinse!
Sam says
Hi NEOLLE..
Iam using ACV.. and my question is, is it good if I do shampooing to my hair daily? Or maybe just rinse my hair with water daily? Because I got scalp acne.. it’s really irritating.. And it is increasing my hair fall.. And when will this scalp acne will be totally gone if I use ACV in correct routine?
Please help me what to do.. thanks…
Noelle says
Hi Sam! I wish I could tell you what to do – but in this situation, I really can’t. You’re going to have to experiment to find what works best for you. Everyone is different, and there is no one thing that works for everyone. I can say that I don’t recommend shampooing EVERY day, and I recommend using a natural, organic shampoo that doesn’t have harsh ingredients. Hope that helps!
Sam says
Yeah akie NOELLE… I’ll do shampooing and ACV rinse twice a week.. Hope ma scalp acne will be gone soon.. Between sorry that I misspelled your name in last comment.. thanks.. ?
Jen says
I used borax to get rid of a fungal condition on my scalp. I took a bit of borax on your hand, wet it in the shower, added my natural store bought shampoo or conditioner or coconut oil, Scrubbed my scalp, Rinsed and then washed/conditioned as usual. Worked great. Found this out after using it on a plantars wart on my foote (for that I just scrunched my foot in bag with dry borax 1 time a day). And don’t let anyone compare borax to boric acid. It is not the same thing. Borax is natural and safe to use.
Kashandra Cambria says
I have tiny bumps on my scalp from braiding my hair too tight that stopped my hair from growing. I take a cotton ball and dab the apple cider vinegar on my scalp every other day. I also leave it on my scalp before a wash. My hair is growing back and the bumps are dissappearing.
Dawn says
Sam, it is possible that what you are calling hair acne is actually something termed discoid lupus. It is an auto-immune disorder treated by a rheumatologist. In 10% of people it can become systemic and attack internal organs such as heart or kidneys. I found out that the red welts on my scalp causing my hair to fall out was lupus. It can be managed.
Perhaps you could consider consulting your doctor? Whatever you decide, good luck.
Marcus says
Aloe vera gel.
The pure stuff thats colourless. Straight from the plant if you have the time or inclination. Myself, I buy tubes of the stuff.
Nothing like it!
For 17 years I have struggled with scalp acne, especially the pain involved. I began with applying the Aloe vera gel directly to the acne sites initially, then upping the game and working the gel into my scalp under all the hair for several weeks between shampoos.
I couldn’t begin to describe the pain relief! Most of the leasions healed in 2 to 14 days. The worst sites are reducing in scale, patently healing faster than the usual 9 to 11 months I suffered. And best of all since including ACV, my breakouts are significantly becoming less frequent.
Over the past month I have been using a combination of: ACV pre wash scalp treatment which I spritz onto my scalp and leave in 1/2 hour before each shampoo. (If my hair feels oily and lank 48 before wash day, I spray a “rinse” of distilled water & ACV through my hair and scalp then air dry to freshen things up.)
Every two weeks, while the hair is still damp from the ACV I work in a gentle scrub that is mixed up at home. Work thoroughly into my scalp and put on a shower cap and wrap up for an hour as I putter around.
I then wash my hair with a gentle silicone free shampoo for grey hair. Ending with the traditional ACV rinse.
My hair hasn’t looked so good in decades. Nor has my scalp been better.
candi says
You wrote: {I recommend applying this rinse twice a week. If you have dry or thin hair, you may do better rinsing your hair only a 1-2 times a month.}
Why is this? By reading all the benefits & healthy properties that you have listed here, I was under the impression that apple cider vinegar was good for your hair. Like, which is it? Because I definitely do not want to do something damaging to my hair type. thanks for reading
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
More is not always better, and what’s good for you and your hair is going to be individual to you. So, 1-2x a month may be perfect for some people. For others, once a week.
Lori Kapala says
i had straight hair been doing the acv rinse once a week now my hair is curling i have wavey hair now been using the rinse for 2 years now less split ends hair is healthier thicker get compliments all the time on my hair and its long
Sam says
Also please tell me about oiling my hair.. I mean about what kinda oil I should use and in what routine? between remember that I have SCALP ACNE.. 🙁
Because i heard oiling may increase scalp acne..
rose says
Hi Sam,
I’ve done some research and found that salicylic acid ph balancing shampoos seem to work for scalp acne (as well as other oily or flaky sclap conditions.) Many you can buy over the counter, but in my experience, when you have something bothering your skin that bad it is best to get a doctor to look at it- at least to make sure you are treating it right yourself. Maybe you can find a forum online where you can talk to a doctor for free? Hope your search is going well, best of luck.
-R
sam says
Hey Rose… Thanks… 😀 I’ll try some salicylic shampoo from my next hair wash.. :)) ??
Edna Pollard says
I use silk drops after every shampoo. I have for 15 yrs give or take. CNA get it at Sallys beauty supply. A bottle lasts a long time because u use a dime size drop. Work thru well. I remember my mom used vinegar rinse as a kid. It strips impurities, So I use a good leave in conditioner .
Geeta says
My hair become s too dry after shampooing…as dey r already too thin n too dry n brittle.
Cn I still use ACV….? If ys how.?
Noelle says
Yes you can. Just use as instructed above! I would also recommend using a nourishing conditioner, or a coconut oil hair mask. 🙂
Jennifer says
Can you apply ACV to hair that is colored? I color out my grays mainly, but sometimes I do the whole head.
Noelle says
Hi Jenn! Such a good question. Vinegar does NOT remove permanent hair color.
Mira says
Does Apple cider vinegar help with thick coarse dry hair? or will the acidity make my hair more dry? and if so, how can i use it to help with a super flaky scalp and dry locks ?
Noelle says
Hi Mira! You CAN use it with thick hair! It will NOT make your hair less thick, but because it helps to replace the pH of the hair, it can make it more silky and shiny. It should not make your hair more dry, however – the ratio will be specific to you, so if you find you feel like your hair is dry, use less apple cider vinegar. It WILL help with flaky scalp! Hope that helps!
mkk1974 says
If you don’t have the raw avc, can I use the store bought one that is filtered? Does it matter what kind of AVC?
Noelle says
I would recommend raw because it has all the beneficial nutrients. You can use the filtered kind, however, I don’t think it will provide the same benefit. Hope that helps!
Jennifer says
Hi noelle, can i used heinz apple cider vinegar which isnt the organic one because i only have that one?
Noelle says
I don’t recommend that. You’ll get the most benefit from raw, organic apple cider vinegar.
Mugdha says
Hi Noelle, I have started using this hair rinse and my hair has gotten slightly more frizzy. How do you recommend I deal with the frizz? Also, I blow dry my hair and use a heat protection serum. Will this negate the benefits of the acv?
Noelle says
No – I don’t think what you are doing afterwards will “negate” any effects. Do you still apply conditioner? I recommend doing so AFTER the ACV hair rinse. Also, you might want to use less apple cider vinegar and see how that works out. Let me know how it goes!
Hanna says
Hii Noelle!
Do you have to wash the ACV out or can you leave it in? I follow HolisticHabits on youtube and she said that “I” could leave it in but I just wanted to make sure whats the best (:
Btw, If you leave it in will the ACV smell a lot or will the smell go away?
One more question, I don’t know why but since the beginning of October I seem to lose more and more hair, I can’t notice a visible change but when I brush my hair I notice that its not a little that fall off and I don’t know what to do. Do you have any tips?
Noelle says
Hi Hanna! I personally wouldn’t recommend leaving it in, simply because it is very acidic, and leaving it in too long may disrupt the pH. As for the loss of hair, I would actually recommend going to see your doctor about that. It might be because of hormonal changes, or issues with your thyroid. Definitely important to get that checked! Hope that helps!
Heather and Melissa says
This is awesome! I started doing it and love it so much that I included a link on my blog.
♥Heather
ananta says
is it good for dandruff ?
Noelle says
Yes! Please see paragraph above that starts with “For those who experience scalp-related conditions such as dandruff…”
ananta says
yea, Got that! and we can use it on alternate days, with baking soda??
Noelle says
This recipe doesn’t include baking soda – it’s just apple cider vinegar and water. Use it daily if that works for you! I recommend testing it out 2-3 times a week, and see how that goes before using it more than that.
Jessica says
Hi! I’m just wondering instead of pouring the rinse over my head, can I just spray it on my scalp? Do I also need to spray it on my hair were it’s soaking wet from it?
thanks!
Jessica
Noelle says
You can absolutely apply it with a spray bottle! I would do it on your head after your hair is already wet, and rinse it out completely. Hope that helps!
ananta says
so will the vinegar act as a shampoo?
Noelle says
No, it acts more as a conditioner.
ananta says
thank you 🙂
Jessica says
Would you say to use it once a week? Also, shampoo then rinse with acv?
Noelle says
Yes – and yes! 🙂
Reena says
Can I still use my conditioner after I use the ACV? Because I don’t want my hair to smell Lol
Noelle says
Yes!
Jenny says
Before getting in the shower, I brush my hair from scalp to ends to draw the oils down the length. Then, I use .5 tsp baking soda and water every other or every 3rd day to scrub my scalp. Before I started doing this I used to shower every day since my hair is thin and was always oily looking. After the baking soda, I use .5 tsp with water in a cup and dip my ends into the cup; hold for 30 seconds then pour from the back of my head down the length. I’ve tried to use the ACV from my scalp down and it make my hair way too shiny looking. It took my hair about 3 months to finally be able to shower every 3rd day and I’ve even made it to a 4th day when it lands on the weekend. My hair has never looked or felt better. I can even extend it to a 5th day by just scrubbing my scalp with hot water in the shower. I’ve also done arrowroot flour in my hair some days to draw out my showers. I tried everything though and it really depends on your hair and what works for you and doesnt. Make sure to rinse the ACV out. I add a drop of orange essential oil added to my ACV and that 1 drop over powers the vinegar scent. I have smelled the vinegar scent upon exiting the shower but it goes away and, if it lingers at all, is completely gone when your hair is dry. Also, I used to have such problems when brushing my hair and since I began using baking soda and ACV, the brush goes right through.
Deb says
Jenny, do you put the .5 teaspoon of baking soda in a bottle of water, or just use the water already in your hair fun the shower and directly apply the baking soda to your scalp?
Deb says
Jenny, and if you’re adding the baking soda to a bottle of water, how much water?
Jessica says
So I just tried ACV rinse and it was awesome! I have dry scalp so I get tiny white things on some parts of my scalp. Will it take a few times for it to totally go away? Something I have to be patient with?
Noelle says
Hi Jessica! It’s hard to say – as it’s different for everyone. I actually have the exact same issue, and I personally find that I still do get little white flakes from time to time. The ACV rinse allows my scalp to flake LESS, and makes it less itchy. Be patient, and use the feedback your scalp gives you to try out doing the rinse more or less.
Stephanie says
Hi Noelle,
I started rinsing with ACV and its been great – i can really feel that my scalp is cleaner and my hair is clean, soft, and has great volume. I have come across some threads that say it strips your hair dry? is this a reality if you over do it?
Noelle says
Hi Stephanie! It really all depends on your hair, and the strength at which you do it. This is why I recommend diluting it, and then rinsing it out shortly thereafter. As long as you follow that, you should be absolutely fine! 🙂
Sudha S says
please tell me ACV is really usefull for hair loss & dandruff. it also heplfull for grow hair. i have back mark on my face can i use ACV for my face
Sudha S says
which shampoo should i use before using ACV
Noelle says
Hi Sudha! That is completely up to you. I linked to a homemade one you can try in the post. However, I personally use a natural shampoo by Avalon.
cheriemiranda says
I thought I had remembered that years ago I had tried ACV rinsing with poor results. Because I wasn’t 100% sure, I tried again. I used a diluted solution after shampooing, rinsed out completely, then conditioned. My frizzy hair ended up even frizzier! I’ve seen some people report these results, yet I’ve seen ACV recommended for calming frizzy hair like mine. What are your thoughts?
Noelle says
Hi Cherie! I wish I had a solid answer on this – but unfortunately, a lot of more natural solutions to skin and hair conditions aren’t well researched, and there’s no solid evidence on why it works great for some, and not others. However, we are all unique, and have our own bioindividuality. Frizzy hair is typically caused by lack of moisture. So, I’m wondering if you’ve tried restorative hair treatments like using coconut oil? Other factors, such as lack of hydration, and lack of minerals that help to retain moisture and make hair strong (like sodium/potassium, as well as zinc and iron) can make a huge difference. Wish I had more insight! Hope you find something else that works well. 🙂
cheriemiranda says
Thanks so much for the reply. Coconut oil is great for my hair, but it doesn’t reduce frizz. For me, it’s all about the texture of my hair (very fine but not thin, not straight OR curly – sorta wavy/frizzy, and grows VERY fast so high turnover, always lots of different hair lengths). I live in the DESERT now, and my hair still frizzes! I’m super healthy, take supplements, and put only natural products onto AND into my body. My hair is the only part of my body/life that I’ve struggled to take 100% organic. So, of course, I’m always looking for solutions.
I feel like I’m the only person in the world with this kind of hair texture, as I never seem to find others sharing the same issue! It’s very frustrating, but I’m determined to get my hair as organic as the rest of me.
I do appreciate your reply and will let you know if I find something that de-frizzes my hair once and for all. 🙂
Noelle says
I so feel your pain. I really do think your hair may be the result of lack of moisture in the air, and potentially – water quality. I find that the water at my house is INCREDIBLY horrendous for my hair. I always have more frizzy, hard to manage hair when at home. When I travel, my hair is much silkier, dries quickly, and holds curl. You can try a water shower filter, as hard water may dry out hair. We have done that, and I’ve only seen minimal improvements. Let me know if you find anything that works!
cheriemiranda says
Actually, less moisture=calmer hair for me. The desert is the best possible frizz environment for my particular hair type. When I go to Hawaii, I become a fuzz ball! 🙂
The day I closed escrow on my house, I had a whole house water softener installed. I had gotten one in my Southern California house, and it did make some difference. Not a huge one, but enough of one that I won’t go without soft water on my hair.
The next experiment is going to be castor oil. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Daniel says
I have the exact same problem
Although a lot of it, Fine frizzy flyaway poofy hair… conditioners, oils… nopoo, leave-in conditioners… ice cold rinses, tshirt towels, no wet combing, plopping, dry shampoos, sulfate/silicone free products, humid/dry days…. Makes no difference
Shannon says
Hi cheriemiranda – You are not alone! Both myself and my 12 yr old have the exact same hair issues as you. As has been stated over and over, everyone is different but I will tell you what has helped us a little….though the struggle is still real as we live in Florida where humidity is a challenge. I always air dry, almost never use any heat producing hair tools, only wash every other day and sometimes every two days, use low sulfate shampoo (they do not foam up very much) and we use a “lite” leave in conditioner that can be sprayed on wet or dry hair that has a little olive oil in it. Recently I used a nickel sized amount of organic, 100% pure coconut oil on my daughters ends and wow, shine and no frizz. I am going to try the ACV thing though. My kiddo also has eczema from head to toe. I remember as a kid taking vinegar baths for sunburn too. Maybe follow the ACV rinse for shower then take a small amount of the coconut oil on your ends after towel drying and let air dry? It smells great.
Meredith says
Hi! If I use the rinse a few times a week to start, should I use the coconut oil as a conditioner every time I wash?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Hi Meredith! That’s totally up to you! Experiment and see how your hair does using conditioner, and then not.
Suzanne says
Hi Noelle , im natural and have braids and i would like to know how i should apply the apple cider vinegar, how much and how often? And which one should i use organic or natural? My son is also growing dreads and his head itch bad is it good for him, snd how often. Can we also leave it in.
Noelle says
Hi Suzanna! Yes – you can use it! However, I would not leave it it. Use it as a rinse. Start with 1-2 times a week, and increase that if you’d like to experiment! Go with the raw, unfiltered, organic kind. Hope that helps!
Signe says
Sorry if you already answered this, but why do you make the concoction in the shower? Wouldn’t it be much easier to make it before showering?
Does it lose potency or something very quickly once mixed with water?
Noelle says
You can absolutely make it prior to getting in the shower! For me, I find it much easier to pour in a bit of ACV in the jar, and then fill it up with the appropriate amount of shower water while I’m in there. 🙂
Bhavna says
Hello maam….I hv dandruff + ichting problem in my hairs. Plz suggest me wat to do? It comes last 3 mnths b4..b4 dis period I never feel dandruff n itching problem in my hairs. I hv also curly hairs…is it work as a straighter?
Noelle says
Simply try out the rinse as instructed in the post above. 🙂 This will not work as a straightener.
Kashandra Cambria says
Use a cotton ball and dab the apple cider vinegar on your scalp. I usually leave it on for half an hour before rinsing. Try it once a week and have patience. It works.
cherri says
Hi Noelle. I was diagnosed with psoriasis of the scalp. Do you think this with help?
Noelle says
Hi Cherri! There’s no hard evidence that it will help it, but I know some people have found it to help reduce the itching. Please test it out (of course, diluted) and let me know how it goes!
ESRAH says
Hello. The first time I tried it, it really made my hair soft. I didn’t plan to put conditioner. What I did was I shampooed and I noticed we ran out of conditioner. The next day my hair was dry)(but clean) shampooed the previous day only, no conditioner. So what I did was I did the avc rinse when it was dry and left it for 10 minutes rinsed then put conditioner. Next day, NY hair was very soft and had its bounce back. I got lazy and did it months later but this time I applied the rinse right after I shampooed so my hair was wet with water although I tried to dry it a bit with a towel. It didn’t work. No softness, nothing. Is this normal. It seems it didn’t penetrate my hair after the shampoo immediately
Noelle says
Interesting experiment! I don’t know if this is normal, but I would try doing it the first way and see if that works. If so – please come back here and let me know!
athena1991 says
I’ve read on several sites to do a 1:1 ratio of ACV and water and to massage that through your scalp, wait 15 minutes, then rinse out with water completely for dandruff. Can you tell me if that is better to reduce dandruff, or should I mix in less ACV as said in this post? What is the effect of adding more?
Noelle says
Start with less – and then move to more. There is no scientific research on the effectiveness of ACV, or ratios to use when it comes to hair care. Because of this, I recommend being cautious with how much you use and seeing how your hair/scalp responds. Add more = more acidity, which, depending on the person, can be a good or not so good thing. 🙂
Jessica says
Hi! So recently I’ve been noticing a weird smell from my scalp…I think. Would the ACV help?
Noelle says
Maybe! Give it a try and see if it does. 🙂
meenakshi says
does ACV makes your hair go white?
Noelle says
No
Hassan says
Hi you Said you if feel like after the rinse that you dont need a conditioner but we can you if you feel like it after experimenting. I have two questions I am not a girl can I condition as normal after the rinse and how long should I have the rinse in my head some say 20 some 10 some 1-2 min
Regina Thomas Dillard says
I’ve been looking for a good hair rinse. I tried your recipe and added two drops of rosemary, lavender and tea tree. Smelled so good! Thanks for the tip!
Noelle says
You are so welcome!
APT says
You should consider utilizing the rinse with cold water to additionally help close the cuticle. I am black, have natural hair and it’s fine, and mainly s waves that spiral at the ends and live in an alpine desert. Because of the high porosity of my hair, frizzys are deep within my wheelhouse.
The rinsing with cold water is old school and, for me at least, really works. I like the one, two punch of cuticle closing that the ACV rinse with cold water provides – plus it seals in my color deliciously. It also has had my curls popping/clumping beautifully aka my curls have greater definition and bounce.
Noelle says
APT, Yes! I actually have done this ever since I was a kid because my mom always told me too! 🙂 Great practice… I think turning the water to cool before getting out can be incredibly beneficial. I also try to cool the water down when mixing it with the ACV, but I also really hate cold water, so it ends up being more “warm” than anything. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Ruth Dieter says
Thank you for these great tips, can’t wait to wash my hair and think of you
Shilpa says
Hi, I just wanted to know if I could mix apple cider vinegar along with coconut oil and leave on hair for couple of hours and take a shower, would that be okay?
Noelle says
Hmm. Never really heard of that – But I wouldn’t recommend doing that. They both have different purposes. If you do a coconut oil hair mask, do that separately from leaving apple cider vinegar in your hair. Hope that helps!
Linda says
I have tried the ACV rinse for a few weeks already (once a week)… but I realized that each time after the rinse, my hair seems slightly oilier. Is that normal? Should I cut down on ACV (or add more)? I wash my hair with an organic hair soap before the rinse (if that makes a difference).
Noelle says
Hi Linda! I would recommend decreasing the amount of ACV you’re using. Try that out for a week or two and see if that helps. 🙂
Linda says
Thanks so much Noelle. Will try that.
hana says
Can i use any normal food vinegar or only ACV ? Any studies or history of it removing dandruff ?
Noelle says
I recommend raw, apple cider vinegar. Also, no studies or literature have been done using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse in regards to it’s effectiveness for dandruff.
Mary says
Hey, I know that Noelle answered and said that it doesn’t work for dandruff, but try researching it, because I heard that it can help with dry scalp and get rid of dandruff.
Noelle says
There is no scientific literature that shows it does, but that doesn’t mean it can’t. It DOES absolutely help for me, but doesn’t for others. This is why it’s good to test it out, and see if it works for you. 🙂
Ines says
Hi, what if I need to do a deep conditioning mask. Do I ACV rinse after or before. Since ACV closes the cuticle will my deep conditioning treatment work proper if used after the rinse? And if I rinse after the mask/treatment will it remove some of the masks properties?
Noelle says
Hi Ines! I would do the rinse prior to the deep conditioning mask. 🙂
Robyn0312 says
Hi Noelle,
I use goats milk soap to wash my hair, which I have no issues with, but I do miss conditioner.
I decided to try the ACV rinse; however, I found it was all I could smell for almost a week afterwards.
I don’t have very dry hair and usually wash it every 2-3 days.
Even after washing my hair several times in the following week after the ACV it’s all I can smell on myself, to the point that friend even commented and told me I smelt like a packed of Salt and Vinegar crisps!
Any advice on how to prevent this. I was really very disappointed as all the websites I’ve read guarantee that you end up with no vinegar smell!
Noelle says
Hi Robyn! I’m sorry you had that experience! The only thing I would think would cause this is 1. Not diluting the apple cider vinegar accordingly, and 2. Not rinsing it out fully after application. I’ve never been able to smell the apple cider vinegar after application, so I can’t help further than that. Hope this helps!
Katie says
Maybe adding essential oils to it would help dull the smell of the ACV, too 🙂
Myth says
Hi Noelle,
I prepared too much of ACV rinse and now i m not sure whether that same rinse can be used even after a week or so coz there is still plenty of it. So I just wanted to know for how many days can an ACV rinse be stored and used ?
Noelle says
Hi Myth! It’s shelf-stable, so as long as you’d like. 🙂
Kate says
Noelle,
You single handedly saved my hair. I had been suffering from course texture (no breaks (I chopped off 4 ” recently)… I did one round of the ACV rinse and it’s back and gleaming. Literally, the course/bent at the ends hair had been driving me to snip every piece (so now the underside of my hair which i was cutting all the time thinking it was damaged) can grow out!!!
Also, the oil cleanse and ACV toner are also beyond belief good!
Noelle says
So glad to hear that, Kate!
Padma Kulkarni says
Hi Noelle,
Does ACV solution also help untangle badly tangled hair ?
Noelle says
Because it helps to balance the pH and reduce frizz, it may help. 🙂
Katy says
So I’ve been struggling with extreme hair-loss for a while now – been using Rogaine, and for a while I took some hormone meds that I would be so happy staying away from – even though they worked to a certain extent. Will this help my hair stay on my and increase my chances of more hair growing? If not, do you have any suggestions for home remedies that might help this?
Noelle says
Hi Katy! Have you gotten your thyroid levels checked? This more sounds like an internal issue—have you tried balancing hormones via diet and lifestyle? Highly recommend listening to the podcast I do called The Paleo Women Podcast. We talk about both hair loss an thyroid disorders. Hope that helps!
rubicela says
hi what brand of natural shampoo, rinse and natural conditioner do you use? Thank you
Noelle says
I used JustNaturals for some time, and now I’m experimenting with some other brands, including Avalon Organics. 🙂
Katy says
I use tresseme shampoo and conditioner – not too pricey, and the only “cheap” brand I’ve found that cleans my hair without making it brittle! This last week and a half I’ve been trying the apple cider vinegar rinse for conditioner though, trying to see what happens after a three-week “trial” or something like that.
Miss M says
Hey Noelle, I went straight from shampoo and conditioner to water only method and then found my hair particularly greasy in the transition phase (about 1 month). I tried bicarb in my hair but my hair broke and looked terrible! I then went with the ‘apple cider vinegar’ rinse for my last three washes and my hair feels reasonably nice (not as nice as when I used to shampoo it) but it looks greasy and my hair sort clumps together… can you please give me tip on how to overcome this? After washing it still looks greasy. I’ve been scritching, minimally preening and using my boar bristle brush. I’m seriously thinking of going back to shampoo and conditioner. Thank you
Noelle says
Hi Melissa! I wish I could help more. I would consider shifting around the ratio of water/apple cider vinegar that you use. Personally, my hair was very dry and tangled when doing “no poo”—even after months of allowing my hair to transition. I now use a natural shampoo, rinse with this apple cider vinegar hair rinse, and then put a natural conditioner on the ends and then rinse it out with cool water. Water temperature can really impact how the hair responds—so if you’re using hot water, that could contribute to tangles and clumps. Hope that helps a bit!
Wade says
I find that in terms of no-poo, egg shampoos (especially just egg yolks) are a great alternative. The hair is fluffy, soft, but definitely clean!
Noelle says
Great tip, Wade! I’ll have to look into that! 🙂
Nelly says
Can I just leave the apple cider vinegar on my hair without rinse it
Noelle says
No, you’ll want to rinse it out.
Jessica says
Hi Noelle,
I have suffered from dandruff/itchy scalp for quite a few years. I was using Head & Shoulders and it worked for a while but recently lost its effectiveness I guess.
Starting a few months ago, my hair has been thinning and I loose more than 100 strands a day. I had blood work done to check my thyroid and everything came back normal.
I noticed last night that I was itching my scalp a lot and A LOT of hair strands came out this morning. I’m thinking the hair loss is contributed to the constant, pro longed itching of my scalp over the years. Do you think this rinse will help? I am planning to just start out with 1 maybe 2 tablespoons of ACV with the water to see how my scalp reacts. If this doesn’t work, dermatologist it is! Just trying weigh out all possible options before going there.
Thanks!
Noelle says
Hi Jessica! This rinse may help, however, I don’t think it will solve any of the hair loss problems. Are you getting a healthy dose of fats and fat-soluble vitamins—specifically, vitamin d? I would recommend getting your levels checked to see if there’s a deficiency. Try the rinse for a week or two and see if that helps the itching. If it is dry scalp, and not dandruff, I also recommend rubbing in a bit of coconut oil into your scalp (specifically, the itchy parts) before bed. Then, the next morning you’ll wash your hair and rinse it out. If it helps the dryness and itching, then you know it’s because your scalp is too dry. Another option—it also could be eczema. And if that’s the case, I would recommend looking into the Autoimmune Paleo protocol to see if there’s a specific food that is causes the reaction. Hope that helps a bit!
Kristen says
My dad had very itchy scalp. We made him a bottle of 20 drops of rosemary essential oil to one ounce of jojoba oil. He puts it on before he showers, lets it sit and then washes out with his shampoo. No more ichies.
Noelle says
Love this idea, Kristen! I’ve actually started doing something similar, except I use coconut oil. If scalp dryness improves using this method, it’s usually due to dry scalp, and not dandruff. Thanks for sharing!
Syafa says
So I have been practising this acv rinse and thanx to u it helped me a lot with my tangled hair. But I do understand some people suffers from the smell left after, I did too. No matter how much I rinsed the smell are still there when my hair dried. Probably because I have more scalp than hair (I suffer from severe hair loss due to eczema) so I want to share how I settle this issue. What I did was every time I did acv rinse, I then rinse my hair with water mix with few drops of essential oil. When my hair dried, I dust my scalp with baby powder. Lots of it. It helps with the smell, as well as getting rid of oil on your scalp.
Noelle says
GREAT advice here, Syafa! So glad it helped, and thanks for sharing your tip!
sakshi says
hi Noelle,
It has been 7 months that i have got my hair straightened chemically . during the initial months i loved my straight hair but now i hate them as previously i used to have curly hair . Can This rinse help me to get my curls back ? at present my hair are straight and frizzy. plz do comment
Noelle says
It will not. Sorry sakshi!
Elie Hayes says
Hello!
I recently started suffering from dandruff and a greasy patch of hair after I wash it, and it wouldn’t budge!! Nothing shifted it and I’ve never had this before, so I tried a lot of anti dandruff shampoo which got rid of the dandruff but not grease, so tried the acv rinse. I used other measurements from another site (300ml water to 150ml of acv), and I let it sit for 30 minutes and then used shampoo and conditioned my ends, and unfortunately the patch has now spread from the back of my head to all along my parting and all my hair now looks even more gross, and now the dandruff is back! 🙁 Is it likely that these measurements are bad and I only need a small amount of acv as you recommend after shampoo? Or Is this normal and I have to try a couple of rinses, or could it be dermatitis?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Hi Elie! Sorry to hear about your struggles. The ACV may have aggravated your scalp because it was left on very long. I would only recommend rinsing with the ACV rinse, and rinsing it out after 1-2 minutes. I would highly recommend going to see a dermatologist who will be able to talk to you about your issue, and let you know if it is dermatitis.
Dani says
Hi Elie,
The greasy patch thing has happened to me a few times before and although it’s not necessarily a natural answer- a clarifying shampoo does the trick. Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove product build up (which can happen just from shampoo/conditioner if the particular one you’re using is too rich for you) I’d suggest. Maybe the build up is causing problems with your scalp too and thus the dandruff. Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not usually caused by dryness but actually excess oiliness. Good luck!!
xx Dani
ishani says
My scalp is itchy and oily and has a lot of dandruff, whereas my hair are dry and brittle. What should I do?
Noelle says
Hi Ishani! The root of the issue may be food related. Make sure you’re eating lots of high quality fats, supplementing with Vitamin D if you’re deficient, and I would experiment with removing popular allergens like gluten and dairy. After that, try doing a coconut oil hair mask, and switch to a natural shampoo and conditioner, and try this rinse. 🙂
Lady margaret says
Hello there,just want to ask if i can use acv every day or can i do it every other day?..i tried it last night with 2 tablespoon in a 400ml.water and im so happy about the result ,my hair got soften a little .is it ok if i used it again today?..i do have a dry,frizzy,and color treated curly boy’s cut hair…i used to have a wavy hair.but when i started doing hair rebond,i notice that my hair growth become so curly ,dry ,and frizzy.,.i dont want rebonded hair anymore,so i decided to have my hair to cut it really short…i am so desperate to have my hair the way it used to be….please help
Noelle says
I would first try it every other day and see how your hair does. Glad it helps!
DeAnna Cosat says
I tried this for the first time last night and it is amazingly true. Thank you for the detailed explanation of why this works. Our water softener broke several months ago and we have been using Straight well water for a while now. My hair has felt grungy but after trying this it feels soft shiny and restored. Thank you again for the great info. I am going to add the tea tree oil next time I use it. 🙂
Deepali says
I apply ACV with equal amount if water on my scalp and hair strands . I apply this mixture after cleaning my hair with shampoo and conditioner.
After apply ACV+ water on hair ,I leave that mixture as it is and wash my hair 3rd or 4th day after that.I do not rinse AVC out as I face hair fall problem due to water .
Is this OK if I do not rinse out ACV from my hair and scalp?? Or i should rinse it immediate after 30min? WIll not rinsing give any scalp infection problem?
Noelle says
Hi Deepali! I recommend following the process as instructed above. 🙂
Jeena says
Hi!
I was wondering which lavender essential oils you could recommend?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Hi Jeena! It’s actually linked above. Just click on the text for all the essential oils (should be in orange!) 🙂
Tiffanie says
I’ve been trying to transition to a shampoo bar to both remove unnecessary plastic and use more natural products in my skin and hair care process. My last one did not work out even after giving it a month for the transitioning phase so I switched to Chagrin Valley and I love them! They smell so good! We have hard water though and I noticed I still had a slightly grungy feeling so I tried three spoonfuls of regular vinegar (all I had on hand), 20oz of water (because my hair is 4ft long), three drops of lavender oil, and a spoonful of organic aloe vera gel. I scrubbed my scalp after pouring the rinse on and massaged it in over the length of my hair and rinsed after I washed my body. As my hair is drying the smell of the vinegar is fading and smelling great. I have seborrheic dermatitis so itchiness, dandruff, and greasy scales are a constant problem on my scalp while the bottom half of my hair tends to be a bit dry so I’ll usually add a bit of olive oil and comb it in the day for hair wash day. So far it feels like the rinse has helped with the itchiness and I don’t feel residual scaling that I sometimes still had around my hair line even when using the Head and shoulders in the blue bottle. I go two to three days between hair washes so we will have to see how this compares to my previous routine.
Jane says
Hi! I have seborrheic dermatitis and I am trying ACV rinse for the first time. If I use it once a week will that be enough? Also on other days what can I condition with? Anything with coconut oil seems to give me pimples on my scalp! Thanks, Jane
Noelle says
Hi Jane! You can use this more often—it’s really about what works for you. Try it once a week, and if it helps, up it to 2-3 times a week and see how you do. You can still use your normal conditioner on your hair.
Jennifer says
Will this have an adverse effect on my color-treated hair? I am experiencing extremely itchy and scaly scalp which I think is due to a hair product.
Noelle says
It will not.
Pat says
After using an alkaline perm solution this morning and freaking the heck out at the obvious damage it immediately did I immediately went to the web looking for something, ANYTHING to try to reverse the damage! I found your blog and did a rinse with ACV/water 1part ACV to 2parts water omg I can run my fingers through it now where as before I used this combo rinse my hair felt like a melted matted disaster! I mean just WOW! I had visions of myself bald headed this morning after the perm and no amount of tears was going to help this disaster 🙁
Thank you, thank you, thank you for spending your time to help others, me included!
I kid you not I was about to shave the matted mess clean off my head! I will be doing daily rinses as necessary and deep condition after the 72 hour after perm waiting period. I’m also adding Aloe Vera and coconut oil to my shopping list.
Again, thank you!
Noelle says
That’s awesome to hear. So glad it helped Pat! Thanks for letting me know.
Nicole says
How long does it take to see results I have damaged ends and frizzy hair as soon as I step outside it puffs out. How many times should I use it a week? And how long before I see results?
Noelle says
Hi Nicole! All of this is covered above. No one size fits all solution, so you’ll have to experiment. Hope it works well for you!
Ariel says
It really does work! I had a really sore spot on my head because it was so severely dry. I mixed up the apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and experienced instant relief to my scalp. I let it sit for a few minutes just to be sure but I don’t even think I needed to! I recommend this treatment for anyone who experiences dry scalp. Ill be doing this twice a week from now on. Thank you!!
Rachael says
Apple cider vinegar is hard to get where I live, and my attempts to make it haven’t turned out well. Is distilled white vinegar an acceptable substitute?
Noelle says
Hi Rachael! I wouldn’t personally recommend it.
Vicky says
Just buy on amazon. It’s great
Annette Jowers says
Wal-Mart sells raw Apple cider vinegar if not on shelf they got it in the back just ask a worker in that area to get it.
Evelyn says
Can I use ACV hair rinse on my colored(dyed) hair? Will it change my hair color?
Noelle says
Hi Evelyn! No, it won’t actually strip hair color. Hope that helps! 🙂
J says
Hello – i used to be able to go for 3 or 4 days without shampooing my hair and it was fine. After getting my hair coloured in May (using organic, Aveda colour, which was very dark) I find that it gets really oily -I have to shampoo every second day. My hair is quite fine in texture… Could colouring my hair have made it like this?
howard says
can I add coconut oil to the apple cider hair rinse? hopefully that would help with itchy scalp.
Noelle says
No. Those would be two separate things. Do a coconut oil hair mask, and then wash your hair and do the apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
Linda says
How will ACV affect my perm? I have very fine grey hair. Thank you!
Noelle says
Hi Linda! As far as I know, it will not affect hair color, or hair treatments. Hope that helps! 🙂
Mary says
I just discovered your page and am very interested in trying ACV rinsing. I have store brand apple cider vinegar (5% acidity) on hand. I understand from your page that raw ACV has more nutrients and is more beneficial than processed. Is there any benefit to using the store brand until I can acquire the raw ACV?
Noelle says
Hi Mary! Yep! I would use the regular apple cider vinegar until you can find it raw. I’ve had to use it when traveling, and I find it still does benefit my hair and scalp. Hope that helps!
Chp says
I want to know which natural shampoo to use while applying ACV. Can you provide me goos shampoo names i was suffering from hair loss, itchy & oliy scalp.
Noelle says
Hi there! Try this one. Hope that helps!
Ri says
Hello Noelle! I find your page really informative. However, i am wondering how much solution will i mix since my hair is long until my waist line.. Thanks in advance!
Noelle says
Hi there! Not totally sure. You’ll have to experiment and see how much works for your particular hair length. My hair is down to the middle of my back and I use 2 cups total. Good luck! 🙂
Paula says
Can the ACV be used on a black person’s hair? My hair is short, fine and wavy.
Noelle says
Yes!
Anna Vote says
Can I use it before I shampoo or not?
Noelle says
I would recommend using it after you shampoo, for the reasons listed above. You can also do this on it’s own, without shampooing before.
Anna Vote says
Thank you!
Nakayla says
I don’t have organic vinegar, Can I use the WhiteHouse brand apple cider vinegar?
Noelle says
You can! However, you’ll get the results as described in this post using the raw apple cider vinegar.
Desi says
Question: what about using ACV while doing a treatment. Should I rinse with the ACV tony hair before or after the treatment?
Noelle says
Hi Desi! Not sure what you mean by “treatment,” but I generally recommend using it after shampooing, or doing any sort of hair mask.
amanda says
will this mixture help me restore my natural curls back? I have long hair and i understand I have to cut the damaged hair from heat off but once I do that will it help me restore my curls?
Noelle says
Hi Amanda! I would recommend giving it a try and seeing how it works for you!
Charlotte says
Hello, Very nice guide imo .. but I just wanna ask .. When can I see changes ? I started using it recently And I’ll walk by your guide but I kinda need to know when I can notice changes so I can figure if I’m doing it right.. Thanks!!
Noelle says
Hi Charlotte! I would expect to see improvements anywhere from a few days, to about a month or two. It all depends on your individual needs, and how your skin and hair responds.
Lyasia says
I’m going through a hair crisis, I recently got a blow out and the lady completely damaged my hair. I’ve been growing out my natural hair for two years and now it is ruined. Along with a protein treatment do you think doing this regime twice a month help my hair get its curls back?
Noelle says
I’m not sure about your curls specifically, but I do think it would absolutely help! Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Odette says
Hello, I tried the ACV once and loved it, noticed immediate difference. My hair is shiny and untangled. I am also having hair loss, starting giving myself a scalp message. I am so happy with all the information and comments. Thank you !
Noelle says
So great to hear! Thanks for sharing, Odette!
Charlie says
Hello.. So last time I used this was honestly good but the next day when I washed my hair the smell was so obvious … Do you think I used too much ACV ? Can I do it before Shampooing ? Cuz i heard the Acids might hurt the hair if it stays too long on the hair.
Charlie says
ALSO another question … White vinegar .. is it any good ?
Noelle says
In terms of what?
Noelle says
Hi Charlie! Try using a little less and see how that does. I would only recommend doing after shampooing. Rinse well, and you can apply a conditioner afterwards to the ends.
Gen says
Would it be beneficial to my hair if I soak my hair in coconut oil before showering and then use the apple cider vinegar rinse in the shower?
Noelle says
Hi Gen! You can absolutely do a coconut oil hair mask, and then wash it out and perform this apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
Carolyne says
Hiya. Recently started on soap and apple cider rinse and so far great! Wished to ask what you do when you go to a hairdresser? Can you have / get hair coloured whilst on this routine?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Absolutely! Let your hair dresser know that you’re doing it. But, apple cider vinegar will not affect hair color treatments.
Michaela says
Hi Noelle! I am a college student, and I share a shower with my three other roommates. Does using ACV cause the shower room to smell bad? I don’t want to inconvenience or offend the girls that I share a space with.
Much thanks for this post!
Noelle says
Hi Michaela. No it wont. However, I recommend talking to them about it as I bet they’ll support you and whatever you chose to use.
Kelly says
Wouldn’t rinsing the hair afterwards with water (pH 7) cause the hair to change to a neutral pH again?
Do the oils in your hair protect somewhat against this effect of water?
Noelle says
Hi Kelly! Yes, you DO want to rinse the apple cider vinegar out simply because you do not want to leave your hair acidic. Your scalp/hair has a natural pH of around 5, so the apple cider vinegar hair rinse is more of a “treatment” to improve conditions caused by an alkaline environment, and to harden the outer layer and flatten the cuticles. The acid mantle (which is made up of sebum and “oils”) is instrumental in making cuticle scales lie flat, which gives hair a shiny, smooth appearance, and protects from moisture loss. Unfortunately, this system can be easily disrupted, hence the helpfulness of an apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
Barbara says
I have been taking a special vitamin for a While now to help My Hair Grow & was wondering will the AVC Rinse interfere with the vitamins for helping My Hair Grow in any way ? Plus last week was the first time I did the AVC rinse & it helped My Thin Baby fine Hair so Much it has helped more then all the Deep conditioners & Hair Conditioners I have used, trying to get My , poor Damaged Hair back in Shape , I have to admit the AVC rinse has Helped so much & I can’t thank You Enough .
Noelle says
Glad to hear!
Priya says
Hi Noelle, i checked out your post. It is very helpful. I wanted to ask, I shampoo and condition my hair every alternate day and condition it every day with a normal conditioner, can I spray ACV every alternate day, after shampoo? Please advise. My hair is extremely dry from the tips.
Thanks,
Priya
Noelle says
Possibly! I would recommend trying it out and seeing how it works for your hair. Everyone’s hair is different, so test it out only a few days a week, and then up it to see how it does for your hair.
Linda Bove says
Hi there, I have started using ACV as a rinse on my mature color treated hair. I used about 3 capfull from a medium sized bottle with 2 cups of water
But I don’t seen get the detangling benefit from the ACV. Every time it feels as through I am pulling my hair out. I have alot of hair in my detangling comb. I have used a hair conditioner afterward with the same results. I know my hair has had some thinning out from age. The only reason I feel this is happening is my hair gets matted when I shampoo. i do use a good shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. Please help thanks.
colombe says
Hy Noelle ! I read your post about ACV but can I a deep condition my hair and ACV rinse ? but can you help me plan which on do i do first ACV OR CD ? and after how long ?
Noelle says
Yep! I would recommend deep conditioning, then doing shampoo/acv rinse.
umesh says
Hi noelle, can I use this daily?
Noelle says
I would recommend doing it 2-3 times a week, and then upping it from there depending on how your hair responds. Hope that helps!
Mrs. C. Furtado says
Hi,
I have been using apple cider vinegar rinse for the past 2 weeks now. And it has really helped my hair.
I leave the rinse on for about an hour. I keep reading that it should be kept on the hair for about 3 to 5 minutes. Will leaving it on for a long time damage my hair.
Noelle says
Possibly! I would try leaving it in for only 3-5 minutes, and see if that still provides results.
Apoorva says
Hey! Your post is really interesting.
I have dry hair n dandruff also. It has almost been 2 yrs that I have been suffering from severe hairfall and nothing seems to work.
Recently I heard about acv and that it is a miracle for dandruff. So can I use acv coz u said for dry hair 1-2 times a month and don’t think that will work for me effectively.
Noelle says
Hi Apoorva! Try it 1-2 times a week and see how it goes! Good luck!
Jonathan says
I’ve just started using this, used it twice, as I my scalp sheds flakes on a regualr basis. My questions is, how long roughly will it take before I see a noticeable improvement? I’m guessing it depends on each individual, but is there a rough estimate? Thanks
Noelle says
Hi Jonathan! It’s different for everyone. I would recommend doing it for about a month and seeing how that works. If you see slight improvements, experiment with doing it a little bit more often and see how your scalp responds. Hope that helps!
Linda says
Hi. I know you recommend ACV, but it turned my white hair pinkish. Can I use a different vinegar?
Noelle says
Hi Linda! You’ll be happy to know vinegar (whether white or from apples) doesn’t have an effect on hair color or pigment at all. I do not recommend doing a hair rinse with white distilled vinegar simply because it doesn’t contain all the nutrients that are in raw apple cider vinegar. Hope that helps!
Bhavana says
Hi Noelle! quick question…..can i use warm water or is it compulsory that i have to use cold water only?
Noelle says
Hi there! I wouldn’t recommend using water that is too warm. You want the raw apple cider vinegar to remain raw. Also, you’ll be likely mixing this ahead of time and leaving in your bathroom cabinet, so the water will be room temperature, not cold. Hope that helps!
Curious says
Hello,
Just a quick question: Would it be harmful to use my head and shoulder dandruff shampoo and conditioner with ACV? If not, which first? Thank you for your help, expertise, and time
Noelle says
Hi there! No, it wouldn’t be “harmful.” You can do the rinse independent of the shampoo and conditioner. The rinse also acts as a conditioner, so doing it post-shampoo is ideal.
Wendy says
Hi.
In between ACV rinses, do you use bottled conditioner? I normally wash my hair every other day; will rinsing it just every other wash still leave it soft and untangled?
Noelle says
Hi Wendy! It all really depends on how it works for you! 🙂 I chose to still use conditioner after the rinse as explained above, but you may not have to depending on how your hair responds.
Nivitha says
Hai! My hair is very dry.
I tried using apple cider vinegar with essential oil once a week. After wash I felt my hair was extremely dry than before. I even varied the amount but still dryness remains the same. I just used 1-2 table spoon mixed with water.
Noelle says
Hi there! Thanks for sharing. Please following some of the advice above to tinker with things a bit to see if there’s a ratio or times per week that works better for you.
bloo says
Is it okay to use acv rinse everyday?
Noelle says
As per the advice in the post—of course! 🙂
Kshipra says
My hair are very frizzy, dry and dull. Although i use natural mild shampoo still the hair look very dull.
Please suggest me a good brand of apple cider vinegar that i can use for my hair.
Noelle says
Hi there! The brand I recommend is linked above. Using a raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is best.
Michelle says
Do you have a DIY hair shampoo recipe?
Noelle says
I don’t. I do know there are A LOT out there! 🙂
Cheryl says
My very thin and fine hair is seriously tangled and matted after shampooing (no way to comb or brush it out without ripping and tearing). Because of that, I must use a conditioner for detangling purposes. I do understand that ACV is acting as a conditioner, but as I said, I need to use the conditioner to detangle my hair. My question: Will the ACV treatment be as effective if I apply it AFTER conditioning/detangling my hair?
Noelle says
Hi Cheryl, as mentioned above, I use a conditioner on my ends as well. You’ll want to do the ACV rinse prior to using conditioner.
Salima says
I am really nervous about how this is going to go with my curly hair… but I’m going to try anyway!
Noelle says
Great! Start with the ratio with the most water, then work up from there! 🙂
Rocky says
Hi
I am using filtered ACV since a year. But till now i found my hair feels soft and shiner. Is there any harmful effect of filtered ACV later on?
I use it every alternate day.
Noelle says
Hi Rocky! Not that I know of. If you’ve been doing it for a long time and now something has changed, I would look into other factors that might have recently changed, such as the water you’re using, stress levels, diet, etc. Of course, you can try discontinuing it as well to see if that improves things. Hope that helps!
Syed says
Hey
I just wanna know that I have really dry hair and I am continously loosing hair
Is Apple Cider vinegar helps me to prevent from dryness and also do I need to apply before or after shampoo. And how many days in a week ?
Noelle says
Hi Syed! I recommend reading through the post above for a little bit more detail, and answers to all your questions. I discuss how often to do it, and when to change that, when to apply it, and the benefits. Good luck! 🙂
Pooja says
I have some grey hair.will acv help?
Noelle says
This rinse does not change the color of your hair.
Joyce says
How does it work for chemically processed , African American hair? My hair is thin, fine, but had a slight wave and it is dry!
Noelle says
Hi Joyce! I recommend starting with the ratio that has the least amount of apple cider vinegar, and seeing how it works for you. Good luck!
Sarah says
Good Day Noelle,
Can I use this for my two twin daughters? They’re 11. They both have dry hair, scalp and dandruff.
Noelle says
Hi Sarah! I would start with the ratio with the least amount of apple cider vinegar for them. Also, consider making changes to their diet if possible. It could potentially be a reaction to certain foods, like gluten or dairy. Make sure they’re getting high quality fats in, and foods with fat soluble vitamins (cold water fish, pasture-raised eggs, grassfed meats, etc.) Good luck!
Maddie says
Hi Noelle,
I’ve been using ACV for a few months now, but notice it drying out if I use it too often. Do you have suggestions for conditioners (either DIY or bought) that work well for the other washes?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Hi Maddie! After much experimentation, I personally use Avalon Organics. Hope that helps!
Gabrielle says
Wow! What a life changer! I hadn’t used conditionner on my hair for over 2 years because I don’t like the way it weighs my hair down. I have very thick hair, and when i used conditionner, the roots would get greasy a lot faster. For over a year, I’ve only washed my hair every 3-4 days, but i had lost a lot of shine. I’ve been using ACV for only 2 weeks now, and I already see and feel the difference! I can push my washes every 4-5 days already, and my hair has gained SHINE and SOFTNESS! I put just a drop or two of Tea tree essential oil on days where i feel my scalp is greasier, but otherwise, i keep it plain! Thank you for the detailed blog entry, I love having a more researched explaining as to why this is best!
Noelle says
So great the hear, Gabrielle! Thanks for sharing!
Alice says
Hi Noelle, I know you stated in the above comments that the ACV rinse will not strip the color of hair dyed with permanent hair color. My question is what about hair dyed with a semi permanent hair color? I want to start using the ACV on my hair but I want to make sure it won’t remove the semi permanent hair color in my hair.
Noelle says
Hi Alice! Apple cider vinegar balances the pH of the skin and hair, and does not strip in it any way.
Engy says
Hi is thi suitable for kids? 8 and 2.5?
The older one has long curly hair and the smaller one is a little finer hair and short
Thanks
Noelle says
I would definitely not suggest it for young kids—as they have a more sensitive scalp and the apple cider vinegar must be applied with a lot of care in order to not get it into the eyes. Most kids should be fine using basic/natural child friendly shampoo and conditioner.
ENgy says
Also do i make a bottle if the mixture and keep it in dry storage or do i have to do it fresh everytime?
Noelle says
It’s up to you!
Amanda says
Hi i have really thick long hair with light curls… i like the sound of this vinegar treatment. As my hair is frizzy. My concern is if i dont use a conditioner i can not get a comb through my hair.
Kind
Amanda
Rupal says
Hi Noelle.
I have thin hair and due to bad water I am losing lots of hair will ACV stop hair loss? And please could you suggest me how to use it.
Noelle says
Hi Rupal! Apple cider vinegar will not prevent or stop hair loss. All the details about how to use it are in the post above. Good luck!
Tulip says
Hi Nolle,
I have seborrheic dermatitis and over the years nothing has worked much. I have alos lost more than half my hair density. I started doing ACV rinse as final rinse and it has helped the condition like magic over past 3 weeks. My concern is will doing final rinse with ACV cause hair fall in the long run.
I have tried doing ACV as pre-rinse, let it sit for 2-5 min andrinse with cool water – but that hasnt helped scalp condition as much as final rinse process has.
I use a 2-3 tbs in 16oz of water ratio.
I also have been thinking of adding ACV to 16 oz black tea solution instead as black tea is DHT blocker and use it as final rinse – any comments on this idea?
Thanks
PS: i have a 6 month old and currently also have postpartum shedding going on
Noelle says
Hi Tulip! So glad to hear it’s working for you! ACV will not make your hair fall out in the long run. Sounds like the final rinse is working… so do what works best for you!
Sorita says
Hi Noelle,
I’m not sure if you’ve already answered this, but are there any long term side effects of using ACV on your hair such as stripping it of oils, drying it, or damaging it? Is it safe to use permanently as a routine hair conditioner?
Also, how often should we do the deep conditioning of the hair with coconut oil?
Thanks so much for your time!
Noelle says
Hi Sorita! It is definitely safe to use long-term. However, if you use it too much for what’s right for you, it could result in your scalp feeling more dry. Make sure to experiment to see what works best for you—both in how often you do it, and what ratio you use. Good luck!
herman says
Hi Noelle
I am a man, my hair is very sensitive and I lose them in shower a lot. Can I use this method to shine my hair?
Thank you
Herman
Noelle says
Yes, you can use this hair rinse. Please follow all the instructions accordingly.
Julie says
2 yrs ago i had a horrible fungal infection and was told to use ACV on my head. I used it raw, not diluted and doused it all over my wet scalp while in the shower. Let me also mentiin i have naturally curly hair down to the small of my back and it was falling out by the gobs. After uskng ACV for about 30 days my scalp was 100% fungal free and my curls were amazing and my hair was growing back!! I continued to use it for a year. About 3 months ago i started losing my hair again and and continued with the ACV and already growing back. I have told many friends about this process that were balding and after 6 months they are seeing a full head of hair again. I keep a full spray bottle in my shower at all times. But i do not dilute it and have never had any problems.
Kathryn Chong says
I tried this today and LOVE the way my hair feels after I’ve dried it! I used a spray bottle instead because I feel like it helps even the coverage out. Thank you!!
Candice Freeman says
I have been taking alot of medication for 8 years, it effects my hair. Now that I’m off of it all I want to completely detox my whole body. Does the acv rinse strip and clean all toxins down to the follicle? Or do you know what will? The meds have dried my hair and made it fall out for years. I want it all gone.
Noelle says
Hi Candice! So sorry to hear that. It’s really hard to say. I would recommend giving it a try. Go with the most sensitive dose—maybe 1-2x a week. I don’t think it will hurt!
Sheela says
Hi I use an organic shampoo and a drugstore conditioner as of now. I am planning to change my conditioner to something with less chemicals.
I wash my hairs twice a week.
I have a thin wavy hair and past my ribs in length and have a problem of hairfall too.
Can acv rinse be substituted for conditioner? If yes how often should I use acv rinse and in what proportion?
Thanks ????????
Noelle says
All questions are answered in above post! 🙂
Julia says
Hi!!
I have really bad dandruff right now and my scalp is extremely dry, but nothing alarming. It’s just a desert. I have thin hair also, when I made my hair wash I used 4 tbs. Is that dangerous or is it just enough? I’ve used it one time already and I don’t see any results, should I keep using it?
Noelle says
Yep! I recommend using it more regularly and giving it about 3-6 weeks before expecting to see results. Good luck!
Angelina says
Hello! I’m a little curious as to how much of the ACV rinse you’re supposed to use at one wash. Are we supposed to use the entire mixture or just spray to your own discretion as how you would normally determine for shampoo/ conditioner?
Noelle says
The recipe above makes 1 rinse. 🙂
faysal says
I am faysal, 33 years old..I have a thinning hair at the Crown. ..doctors termed it a male patterned alopecia. …but I don’t like to give it up so early…I was taking biotin 1000 and enjoyed results for a month or so and then slowly it is a case of going back…..what is making the matter worse is that the scalp always itches…even with the contact with simple water, raindrops or sweat…it is happening for years…plus I am losing the black lustre…now it seems as if I have applied henna to my hair..as a last resort, I have turned to Apple cedar vinegar. Itching had decreased a bit….but I need your comments on the whole thing….thank you
Noelle says
I don’t have any comments other than all the things I’ve written in the post. Glad to see it’s decreased the itching! If it is working for you, keep with it!
Ravi says
Hi Noelle, My scalp is too oily and i have very bad dandruff. I have used many anti dandruff shampoo but nothing works. Can i use ACV 4 times in a week? And is there any problem if i wash my hair with shampoo after apply ACV?
Noelle says
Start slow, and do what works for you!
Sonya says
Hi Noelle!
I have dry, thin, and shoulder length hair. I wash my hair twice a week. My scalp becomes really itchy after the second-third day of washing my hair….?
I have been using the ACV rinse from six months. I also use baking soda as a shampoo. Below is the measurements i have been using
Baking soda : 1 tbsp. mixed with 1 cup of water
ACV rinse: 1/4 cup in 1 cup.
I prepare the above mixture and keep it the bottles to use it for 3-4 times. I also rinse my hair with water after using ACV rinse.
Can you please suggest if I am doing it the right way?
Also, I have sebaceous cysts on my scalp. Does ACV help to get rid of it?
Noelle says
Yes you are! If you are experiencing itchiness, try eliminating the baking soda, or reduce the number of rinses you do per week.
Melanie Klem says
Noelle,
I found your article to be extremely informative! Thank you for the thorough explanations!!!
Several years ago, after having pin straight hair for 4+ decades, I woke up one day to curly hair….whaaaaaat?! Ok, maybe it wasn’t ‘one day,’ but it surely wasn’t more than the course of one week! I have a love-hate affair with this curly hair that I did not ask for! Mostly hate! After washing my hair, it is sooo tangly!! It hurts so much to comb it and takes about 15 minutes!! I try to go slow and be very gentle. The only thing I use to comb it is a very wide tooth shower comb. I have tried numerous shampoos which claim to provide that slip that women with curly hair crave and NEED!! My hair has become so damaged up several inches of the ends due to the pulling and ripping.
A few weeks ago I came across an article referencing the baking soda hair wash and ACV rinse. I used about 1/4 – 1/2 c of baking soda on my wet hair, and rubbed it in all over, except on the ends, letting it sit for 5 minutes or so. I rinsed it out and followed with about a 1/2 c of ACV which I again let sit for a bit then rinsed. I followed with a small amount of conditioner per the article. ( I used a lot less than I normally would). My hair was 80% easier to comb than normal. I was in heaven! I went back to using my normal (trader joes) shampoo and conditioner and I have not had one single time of not having to rip and pull my hair out when I comb it! I tried to use shampoo and the ACV again but with no such same results. My hair is normal to dry and only needs to be washed about twice a week.
Do you have any suggestions on products or techniques to help me achieve that elusive slip so I can stop damaging my hair?
Thank you ever so much!!!
Melanie
Noelle says
Hi Melanie! I would recommend using this rinse, but maybe using a more conditioning shampoo before, and still using a conditioner afterwards. My hair did TERRIBLE on the baking soda wash, and I’ve had a rough go at it with shampoos and conditioners. I now use this conditioner and corresponding shampoo and have no problems with dry, brittle hair. Hope that helps
Sachin says
Does ACV helps regrow hair?
Noelle says
No
Kai says
Hi, just a quick question. Does the vinegar has to be raw vinegar? Can it also be just organic cider vinegar?
Noelle says
I recommend using raw apple cider vinegar to get all the benefits described in this post. 🙂
B Pope says
My hair has been thinning and falling out at the edges around my face. Am i still able to try this!?
Noelle says
Ultimately—it’s your decision and I can’t make that for you. But, there is nothing that would make this “bad” for you. Good luck!
Judith says
Could I use this rinse without shampooing beforehand? I haven’t used shampoo for over a year now, but my hair still get greasy within a day or two. Will this rinse help with that?
Thanks!
Noelle says
Yes!
Blp says
Hi, I just used acv for the first time on my hair and followed the instructions. I’m using it for my extremely dry scalp that occurred after I moved to a state with humidity. The next morning my head was covered in large flakes as if all the dandruff was falling out at once. Is this common? If so if I brush it out will my scalp be normal or continue to be dry? Thank you
Noelle says
Hi Blp! It’s not common, no. If your scalp isn’t irritated, it might just be the exfoliating effects working on your scalp. Give it a day or two and see how things progress. If there are no problems, give it a go again. It might be balancing your scalp.
Toni J says
Hi Noelle.
Quick question… You are SO patient and so helpful. I understand that’s part of your job in doing this and you must REALLY love it.
Anyway, my question is, do you ever just want to grab any of these people and shake them as hard as you can for asking the same questions for over two years, that were even answered in the original article?
Did I mention, I think you are awesome for being able to handle this?
Also, I am LOVING your articles! Thank you!
Noelle says
HA!! So glad you’re enjoying the articles! YES, I do shake my head many times at comments. But when it’s clear they haven’t actually read the article, I direct them back to it. Thanks for your encouraging works! 🙂
Vidya says
Hi,
I have dandruff and my hair is short even can u guide me about the measurement to be used
Noelle says
Recommendations in post above! 🙂
Yaneth says
Not rinsing off the acv become a bad thing?
Noelle says
Yes. I recommend rinsing.
Savannah says
I am definitely going to try this to see if it helps with my dandruff and itchy scalp. Do you have an all-natural shampoo you recommend? I have tried a couple, but they don’t seem to lather well and leave buildup on my hair.
Noelle says
I personally recommend Beautycounter’s Volume & Shape shampoo. It’s safer hair care that works really well.
Nuella says
Does this rinse help with alopecia?
Mary Chi says
I like the vinegar rinse 1-2 times per week. It does calm down my scalp after using regular shampoos. I highly recommend it!!! AND, for those who still get itchy scalp like me – not dandruff, reactive itchy scalp – I HIGHLY recommend Free and Clear shampoo and conditioner by Pharmaceutical Specialties. I do not work for them, I swear. I am an allergy patient who once had a reaction so badly to shampoos and conditioners that I was only cured by this shampoo and conditioner after 2 weeks. It is recommended by dermatologists, hypoallergenic, has no dyes, fragrance, parabens, or lots of other bad stuff. Skin Deep Cosmetics Database rates it a 1 for excellent skin safety. My hair feels clean and soft – a little dry after use sometimes – and it does not lather a lot since there is no lathering agent in it (to my knowledge), but it’s not too bad. It saved my scalp! Order online or your local pharmacy can order it for you.
Mike says
Do you get tired of answering all the questions which were already clearly covered by your article? Haha. Thank you for sharing this information ☺
Noelle says
LOL. Sometimes… You’re welcome! Thanks for actually reading it! 🙂
Brien Downes says
I get better results with Heinz “ultra-filtered “ than with Bragg “unfiltered.” With Bragg, my white, fine and old hair is duller and flatter. My unscientific theory is that whatever is filtered gunks up my hair.
Asha says
By “raw” do you mean with the mother?
Noelle says
Yep!
andy says
Hi!hello!
I used ACV for 3 times till now , every alternate days!
i have a oily hair with full of dandruff!
after using this ACV i am getting to much flakes out and my hair is also falling out.
can u suggest me should i continue applying this ACV?
Noelle says
It’s unlikely that your hair is falling out because of rinsing with apple cider vinegar. If you feel it’s made your scalp worse in terms of dandruff, you can discontinue.
Jacqueline says
I use the acv rinse after I wash my hair (everyone’s day) because my home has hard water. I find this really helps wash away the heavy metals that leave my hair dull and heavy.
Is it bad I don’t rinse the acv afterwards? Will it make my scalp dry? I find that my scalp now can get super greasy before my second day wash, I wonder if the acv has to do with it. Also, if the solution is too acidic and I leave it on my hair, will it make my hair thin out?
Jacqueline says
I meant (every other day)*
Noelle says
Possibly! I do recommend rinsing quickly with cool water. Try doing that and see if it helps!
Sanseru says
I read your article and have a bit of a problem (not with the article). Somebody had told me to use apple cider vinegar while washing my hair however I never took the time to look up how much. In conclusion, I used a LOT of it and now I don’t know if I should be worried or not… are there any downsides to using too much acv in your hair other than making it smell strongly like vinegar? Thank you!
Noelle says
Try using it as described above and see if you still have the same positive results. If not, go back to what you were doing.
Glint Martin says
How often should i take acv bath? I have dandruff so how many times in a week should i take acv bath?
Noelle says
Please follow the instructions given above! 🙂
Kath says
Hey Noelle, before trying your ACV recipe, I would like to ask for your opinion. How many teaspoon of apple cider vinegar should i use and how many ml of water should i use? I have oily hair and would like to get rid of it. It has been bugging me this 1 year and would like a solution for it. And i finally found the perfect recipe for oily hair that i can use twice in a week. And i would also like to know if i can use any shampoo before using this recipe? And will this ACV helps on getting rid of oily hair for 24 hours? I hope you can get back to me. Thank you
Noelle says
Hi there! The recipe and all the information is above! I can’t predict how well it will work for you, which is why I recommend testing it and gradually increasing frequency based on how your hair responds. Good luck!
Alisha says
Hi, do you use the whole 16oz of water + 2tbsp (i have short hair) at once? Like its one and done use all of it? Then make a new batch for another time? How often should I do this if I have greasy hair? 1x per week? 1x per month or as needed when its greasy?
Noelle says
Hi Alisha! If you have short hair just half the recipe—8oz water + 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Try it first to see how it works for you. I would recommend trying it 1x a week and doing it more/less based on how your hair responds. Good luck!
Maliha says
hi Noell
i am a female who is suffering from Alopecia areata patches on my scalp due to which i experiencehorrible hairfall… would it be safe to use ur ACV rinse with my condition? plz advice thanks
Noelle says
Hi Maliha! I can’t say for certain that it will or won’t work for you. I would really recommend testing it very diluted and making sure you don’t have any negative reactions (stinging, etc.).
Sarah A says
Hi Noelle
I used BS the other day after ACV to get rid of intense residue from a hair mask I had used. UnfortunatelyI followed a site saying Baking Soda is similar to a clarifying shampoo and will get rid of residue. I only used a few drops of water and used 3 tsbp of BS stirred and applyed to my hair and scalp. My hair and head have been feeling werid since. Do you have a suggestion on what I should do? I was thinking Aloe Vera gel hair and scalp mask then rinse. Let me know
Noelle says
I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t have any specific suggestions other than maybe to apply a nourishing oil like coconut oil as a hair mask. Baking soda is a very alkaline, and I don’t recommend it for regular use on hair. Have you tried using the apple cider vinegar rinse again to lower the pH?
S Lahiri says
Can I use this ACV rinse to my hair on a daily basis, without shampooing the hair?
Noelle says
Sure! Test it and see if it works for you. 🙂
Ayusha says
I do oil mask every week. Can I use just the ACV to rinse my hair? Will it clean my scalp and my hair?
Noelle says
Sure! Use as directed above.
Mary McAndrew says
Holy cow. One time. All the gunk from my E salon experiment FROM 14 WEEKS AGO, gone! My hair feels normal again! THANK YOU!!!
Noelle says
AWESOME. Glad to hear it worked so well!
Brook Squires says
Hi Noelle!
I have damaged hair due to bleach, would this help with breakage or damage?
Noelle says
I would think so. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Iris says
Why is the ACV rinse used AFTER shampoo? what difference would it make if it was used BEFORE shampooing ? Thanks…
Noelle says
Hi Iris! The apple cider vinegar rinse helps to rebalance the pH of the scalp. You want to do this after shampooing. Doing it before would negate the benefits.
Amanda says
Can l oil my hair as usual after using acv rinse or it will nolonger b necessary
Noelle says
Sure! You can do anything you normally do depending on how your hair responds and what you think it needs.
Girlie says
Hi, Noelle,
I am not shampooing my hair, but i am having hairfall especially during summertime in Dubai. Will this ACV rinse help to strengthen my hair?
Noelle says
It will definitely make it less prone to damage and breaking.
Kimberly Glenn says
Hello,
I have coarse, thick and dry hair. My hair is also low porosity and on top of that I have a mixture of kinky, coily and curly hair. How much ACV to water ratio I need. Also, does ACV help reduce shedding and/or breakage?
Noelle says
All this info is in the post above. 🙂
Jay says
Hi Noelle,
Do you use a shampoo before using the ACV rinse? I’ve stopped using a shampoo altogether and use the ACV (mixed w/water) and spray just on my roots and found it has done wonders for my itchy scalp but I do have to use a natural dry shampoo (I use cornstarch) in between. I have noticed though that the rest of my hair at the back (not the roots) still looks greasy. From reading your post I realise that I haven’t been putting it on the rest of my hair so will try that next time.
Noelle says
Yes!
Allison says
Hey, I used this and my hair has dried and now my hair is really stringy and it’s dry, as if it hasn’t washed out even though I washed it after. Any suggestions?
Noelle says
Change the rinse ratio, or apply a conditioner after the rinse.
Princess says
Can I use ACV on my hair without diluting it? Maybe use cotton wool to dab it on my hair and wait for 15 minutes before washing it off.
Noelle says
I don’t recommend that.
Princess says
Thank you for your patience and quick response
Nazifa says
I use an organic goats milk and oil soap to clean my hair and its works but as soon as I do the ACV rinse it my hair become an oily, sticky mess. I originally have an oily scalp, so like you said it needs more ACV so I tried that as well but it made the same old oily, sticky mess.
Kanwal says
Hello. Is ACV also good for chemically treated hair? I mean after hair rebounding?
Noelle says
It’s simply fermented apples, so it’s safe for any type of hair! Test it out and see how it does for you, and make your decision from there.
K says
So what exactly do I do? I shampoo my hair then rinse then put on the apple cider vinegar mixture and wash it off with water and don’t put anything on after?
Noelle says
Yep!
Linda says
I tried using the ACV rinse today for the first time. I have natural curly hair, and it tangles easy. Unfortunately my hair still had a lot of tangles after rinsing, which causes globs of hair to come out when I’m trying to comb through it. (I use a very large comb with wide spaces between each ‘tooth’ of the comb) Will that improve or do I need to add some type of oil to the rinse? Thanks
Noelle says
Hi Linda! Don’t add oil to the rinse. It may not work to completely detangle your hair, but if you’d like to experiment with ratios, you can do that.
Racquel says
My hair has horrible split ends and has only grown 6 inches I’m the past 10 years will ACV help? Is there anything else I can do?
Noelle says
It might! Give it a try. 🙂
Amanda says
My daughter is 12 and struggles with dry brittle hair but also oily scalp with dandruff. What do you recommend with this messed up combination?
Noelle says
Definitely try this rinse!
Marc Gaspard says
Hello Noelle
I am making my own shampoo bars for my family. Was looking for a natural conditioner and found your recommendation. It is working for my family very well. In fact after stopped using the on shelf products, there is a dramatic reduction in hair loss. Your ACV suggestion has bagged more confidence in our home DIY Products.
Have a question, Have you ever thought of thickening the ACV (like a gel) by adding some natural products (no chemicals)
Marc Gaspard
Noelle says
I haven’t! If you do, let me know how it goes!
Frances says
My shoulder-length hair is a combination of curly, wavy, frizzy (if no product used). I use a leave-in spritzer made of organic apple cider and water (approx. 4 T cider per 2 cups water). I use it both after shampooing (wet hair) and dry hair (daily). My hair combs out easily, and does not smell of apple cider vinegar. As a result, my hair is far less dry than it would be without it, and somewhat shinier. A leave-in a.cider spritzer is fantastic. I recommend trying it.
Akshay says
Hi Noelle
If i use normal apple cider vinegar with 5% acidity which written as antioxidant E224(CONTAIN SULPHATE) ,does it helps for my dandruff problem. i don’t it is raw or some other.can u please tell me suggestions about it?
Noelle says
I recommend raw apple cider vinegar as described in the post.
Felicia says
How much should I mix if my hair is really thick and super long
Noelle says
Follow the recipe above. Should be sufficient!
mhae says
hi noelle..after using the apple cider vinegar hair rinse,whats best to apply on the next day.?is it best to use shampoo or just conditioner?
Noelle says
Do whatever you normally do! You should be completely rinsing it out. It’s a one-time treatment.
HBcshel says
Hi! After applying it to my hair, should I massage it into my scalp & hair or just pour it on, wait 2 mins & rinse?
Noelle says
You can massage it into your scalp, sure! Can only help.
Usha says
Hi, I have dandruff, which is why I want to try this method. I’ve heard it helps tremendously. However, I just started coloring my hair with a more natural coloring method by Madison Reed. I’m wondering if ACV can affect my color.
Noelle says
It will not.
Anonymous says
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as
long as I provide credit and sources back to your website?
My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would really benefit from
some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Thanks a lot!
Noelle says
That’s fine!
Shaz says
Hi I am about to try this for the first time, I have what is called “Wet Dandruff”, it is different but very Irritating, should your measurements stay the same? I have struggled for couple of years, would love some relief, Thank you
Noelle says
Start with the sensitive ratio and up it if need be!
Chris says
Hi,
After applying the ACV rince, do you then rince out with water? Please can you clarify the procedure as there are some comments that suggest several options.
Noelle says
Yes, always rinse as indicated above.
Renuka says
Hi Noelle!
I tried out this rinse and the effect was immediate! I’ve had rough, frizzy hair for a LONG time (my sister would call them a bramble bush!), and this rinse has been the only thing that’s worked so far. I love the soft silky feel of my hair now.
I had one question: though my hair has gotten silkier and softer, it also seems to have gotten thinner. Like, my braids look thinner than they used to. Is this an effect of the ACV? I use it once a week (2 tbsp in a mug of water). Is that too much?
Please let me know! Love :*
Noelle says
No, it’s not because of the ACV, and you aren’t using too much. Glad it’s helped!
Sami says
Do I only use the vinegar, or do I also shampoo? How does that work?
Noelle says
All the info is above in the post!
Chaaya Puri says
Amazing Blog! I used ACV as a rinse and couldn’t be happier! Also, I learnt hairstyling at Makeup Studio India which helped me get great hair.
Yash says
Hi, Can i add apple cidar vinegar in my regular sulphate free shampoo?
I have dry hair and also have itching sometimes, can you please also suggest rinse times/week for me?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I would apply this rinse after you shampoo. Good luck!
prashad says
hi,im planning to use acv in middle of the week without shmpooing my hair on that day.can i use this method
1.rinse hair with water
2.use acv and let it for around 30 minutes
3.rinse it back
4.use argan oil for hair after this process (optional)
can i follow this method
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Sure!
Pearl says
Wow! Thank you so much for the comprehensive post. I have always heard that apple cider vinegar can help my hair health in many ways but I kept doubting it because I can’t ex[lain how. So I decided to do some searches. And it was really worth it. You have just made everything simple to me,
Now, I can consider adding it to my hair routine treatment.
Thank you so much.
Cindy Cimetta says
This is COCO “NUTS” and it works. I tried it and I have thinning hair and losing it due to thyroid issue. This really made it feel clean and soft. I will be also adding it to my hair routine treatment. I have very straight hair did frizz a bit but no big deal. I just scrunchied it on to of my head and went to bed. LOL!
Thank you so much as well.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
You are so welcome! Glad it worked!
Imaan says
Can I use the acv spray everyday before workout even on days when i don’t wash hair later ?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I wouldn’t recommend it.
Imaan says
I’d love to hear some advises on what to do to hair before and after workouts…it’s not possible to hairwash everytime. What should I do to the sweat that accumulates ?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hey Imaan, that’s a great question. Unfortunately, I don’t have any solutions other than to wash your hair when you can. I do sometimes use a skin probiotic spray on my scalp after workouts if I can’t shower immediately.
McKaela says
Hi! I was wondering that if I mixed a lot of this then stored it in some kind of container if it would last and if so how long would it last?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Storage would be similar to apple cider vinegar! 🙂
Heidy says
Hi. Am I meant to use the whole bottle in one rinse ? The 16 oz ? Or how many rinses come In one bottle ?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yep! Check tips and tricks if you have shorter hair.
Kelsey says
Tried it and my hair feels super dirty afterwards. What am I doing wrong?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Did you rinse the ACV off completely, then put conditioner on?
Abbey says
Can you blow dry hair after this?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yep!
Micah says
Hi! I read through a lot of the comments to see if I could find the answer, but ultimately, I don’t think I found quite what I was looking for.
I have been using a low poo shampoo (actually trying out dozens of them as each bottle runs out) for about 2-3 years now. I’m wanting to switch to a shampoo bar after this current one runs out. I tried an ACV rinse this morning when I should have shampooed, hoping to just freshen it up and go longer between washings. My hair came out greasier than if I had left it alone! I did not dilute it; could this be the cause? I left it for a minute or two and rinsed very well.
Recently, my newest shampoo has been cleaning my hair squeaky and it leaves lots of tangles that are impossible to brush through- I have hair down past my waist. My hair has been limp and lifeless at the roots, as well. I was hoping the ACV rinse would clean up any residue that may be causing the tangles, especially since we also have hard water.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I don’t think the tangles are caused from residue. I think it’s from damage and not enough repair. I would shift to using a safe, nourishing conditioner, and lighten up on the ACV rinse for now.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hey Micah! I just re-read and noticed you are using apple cider vinegar in place of shampoo. Apply cider vinegar is not to be used in place of a shampoo. Make sure you’re still using a pH balanced shampoo, and only using apple cider vinegar as a treatment. I still recommend using a nourishing conditioner on your ends afterwards for the tangles and to help repair cuticles and nourish them. Let me know if you need a recommendation.
Andrew says
Been using this apple cider vinegar rinse recipe for years to help with dandruff. Works like a charm! I do it once a week.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
So glad to hear you have been loving it for so long!
NANETTE says
I just finished my second treatment and I love how light and clean my hair feels. I have very curly hair that I use product on the control frizz so cleaning the product residue off of my hair makes a huge difference.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Love that, Nanette! This is such an awesome tool to have in your tool box. Even years later, I do an acv rinse all the time! Especially great for summer.
Amber L says
Do you have any shampoo/conditioner recommendations for curly hair?
What about for a preschool girl?
Deb Olson says
Can I use this on gray silver hair the night before my perm as a clarifying treatment
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Sure!
Lynn says
When do I do the apple cider vinegar rinse? Do I di it right before or the day before doing a treatment for damaged hair or do I do it after?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
What kind of treatment? This can work right into your hair care routine—before or after is fine.
Tamara Lang says
Can I use the treatment on salt and pepper hair ..I don’t want to ruin my gray.. its kind of silvery . So don’t want to mess up the color. Like turning it yellow or ugly gray.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yes!
Sarah says
Love ACV for my hair! Thanks for the extra info on how it works.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
So glad you love it! It’s still one of my favorite treatments for hair and scalp!
Eva says
Hi Noelle, I’ve been looking at all natural shampoo and conditioner bars from different companies – and they pretty much all recommend to rinse with acv after using their products. Do you know what the connection is? Thank you! : ) New to the field with 0 chemical knowledge.
alexa says
Science supports the use of apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse. It could help strengthen hair and improve luster by lowering hair and scalp pH. It may also keep pesky scalp infections and itchiness at bay.
Brooke says
If I have soft water at home do I have to change the recipe at all?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hey Brooke! No, you should be fine to use the apple cider vinegar hair rinse as written above!
Namrata Singh says
Hi
Just wanted to clarify. You first apply shampoo and then conditioner and rinse would be the last step?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi Namrata! Shampoo, do the rinse, then apply conditioner!
Jean says
Great info. Simply and completely explained. I remember having my hair rinsed with ACV and somewhere along the way stepped away. Glad I’m back.
Gloria says
Can I blow dry my hair after the rinse
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yes!
Tracey says
How often can you use this?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
It depends on your scalp and how your hair responds. I would start out with 1x a week, and up it to 2x a week if needed!
Patrice says
Once rinsed out how do you dry it? How do you comb it? I have fine hair so I don’t use conditioner, it’s too heavy.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hey Patrice! After the rinse, you basically do everything normally! This is just a one-off treatment you can do after shampooing.
Daphne says
Legit info. Thanks
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Thanks Daphne! Glad it helped!
Delores says
How much do I need to put on?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi there! So it’s best to use the entire acv recipe mixture on your scalp and hair. If your hair is shoulder length or shorter, you can reduce your overall rinse by half. Use 1 cup of cool water and 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
Paige says
Is it ok If I make the rinse in the bottle the night before and use it in the morning? Instead of making it right before I shampoo.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
You can absolutely do that!
Erin says
Hi, thanks for the recipe! Quick question: I live in an area with very hard water, hence the ACV rinse. If I rinse out the vinegar and post-conditioner with normal water, won’t that negate the benefits since the water is hard? Would it be better to leave the ACV rinse in my hair? Thanks for your help.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi Erin! You definitely want to rinse it off—do not let the ACV rinse dry on your scalp. Rinsing and doing conditioner + another rinse won’t eliminate the benefits. It’s still exfoliating, reducing build up, and and treating your scalp.
Mary says
I put the ACV & water in my hair before shampooing, massaged my head and left it for several minutes b4 shampooing. I also have baking soda (takes the yellowish out of my grey hair) in my shampoo. My hair is so soft. It didn’t occur to me to rinse my hair with ACV. I’m thinking it’s working b4 shampooing too. Thank you for this article.
Dori says
Hi, I’ve made apple cider vinegar hair rinse using the raw apple cider “with the mother included.” Sometimes the apple cider has chunks or pieces of the mother in it and then the finished apple cider vinegar hair rinse that I make has these chunks in it. Should I try to strain those out when I make the recipe? They seem kind of gross when they get in my hair!
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hey Dori! You can absolutely strain these! They really only become an issue when you get to the bottom of the bottle. When I make the acv hair rinse, I typically shake the rinse to break everything up and combine it well.
Jacquelyne says
Wonderful
Martha says
How often can you use this treatment
Prina says
Hi! Would you recommend the acv be Applied after shampoo or can I apply it before shampoo and then wash with shampoo? Does rinsing with water benefit the hair more rather than washing with shampoo?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I recommend doing the acv rinse in between shampoo and conditioner because you don’t necessarily want to scrub it out. It would be like putting conditioner on, then shampooing. Rinsing out with water allows the hair to remain treated by it (smoother, shinier, etc.) and then you can put conditioner on the ends!
Holly says
Wow I’m amazed ty
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
So glad it helped!
Andrea says
Hello,
Thanks for the info. I do have a question though. I am using Nioxin Shampoo to cleanse my hair. Will the ACV rinse do any harm?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I don’t have any personal experience with Nioxin. So sorry!
Josh says
I’m about to try this rinse for dandruff issues. Do you recommend conditioning afterwards or just doing the acv rinse and being done after rinsing? Also out of curiosity would this work for a beard as well?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I definitely recommend conditioner on your ends afterwards. You could definitely do it for beards—but keep in mind facial skin is more sensitive. Try diluting it even more so for beards!
Danielle says
How often should I do the ACV rinse? Once a week?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I would start with once a week, then adjust according to how your scalp responds.
Janie Ontiveros says
My hair is falling out everyday and thinning like crazy on my right side of my head only. Need this recipe. Thank you!
Kim says
I do this at least 1-2 x per month. Helps get EVERY old product out and my scalp feels extra clean. Great hair detox!
Vincenza says
Hi there! I have a try itchy a scalp and started using ACV rinses, at the moment doing it either once or twice a week (depends if I wash my hair once or twice in a week basically) but am I okay to continue doing that for a while until my scalp is feeling better? It’s already so much better but I’m scared that it’s bad for my hair or will upset my hair in the meantime?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yes, absolutely! 1-2x a week is totally fine if that’s working for your scalp.
Lisa Marie says
I use it 2x/week, and I found out in this post that what I’ve been doing is much stronger than necessary. I’ve been doing ACV rinses for 15 years or so, and I’ve never had an issue with frequency. For me, it’s just an essential part of my hair care routine. I get 4-5 days between showers instead of my previous 2-3!! Super helpful as I have very thick waist length hair that’s a bit of a chore to wash.
And too, it’s by far the least expensive hair product I use!!
I use a squirt bottle to apply. A super soft sided one that I found in the cake aisle at a craft store. I think it’s a Wilton product. I’m sure they have something similar at your local dollar store too. It works easiest if it’s soft and squishy.
I hope you have been able to make it a part of your every hair wash, and that you get the great results I’ve had with it😀
Alli says
Hi, thanks for the recipe and the tutorial, just wondering if it’s safe to use on korean permed hair to get rid of product buildup? Thank you!
Amy says
I have been doing this 1x a week omg its works! My hair is smooth silky less frizz hair and less itchy scalp. I recently got my hair cut and dyed. The hairdresser commented how very healthy my hair is.