That's the best part of it cookie. If you need more conditioner, just use vinegar more often. I find it much easier to find the balance between dry and oil using this method.

I almost didn't read this thread based on the title! I've never heard of this before! My hair is past my shoulders... does it work for longer hair? And, do you just use the baking soda on your scalp/roots? One TB doesn't sound like enough! I would love to give this a try... might try it over the weekend.

I too shower every day but finally just in last few years stopped shampooing my hair every day. Now I do it 2-3x a week. Hard habit to break! My hair finally doesn't seem dirty if I don't wash it daily.

I am very intrigued with this "no-poo" trend. My concern is that I have very long, thick, wavy (nearly curly) hair. It is very dry, meaning I could go a week or more without washing & it wouldn't be greasy. I currently shampoo & condition every other day. Do you all think my hair would benefit from the baking soda wash & vinegar rinse? Also, does your hair smell like vinegar after?

Jasdip, any way you can post a before and after?

I have been "no-poo" since March 1 of this year. Love it! First, I cooked up a batch of goo made with soapnuts/reetha, guar gum, mallowroot, and a whole bunch of other stuff (I combined several recipes I found online). I wash my hair at least 5 times a week. I used the soapnut concoction a couple of times a week and then just baking soda the other days. Both ways included an apple cider vinegar rinse (1 part vinegar to about 4 parts water). But I was unhappy about the way my hair felt when using the soapnut wash. It felt heavy, not fluffy and feathery like when I used the baking soda. So, I started just using the baking soda. It can be a challenge, though. I mixed baking soda and water in a squirt bottle. The soda sinks to the bottom and I have to shake it every time I squirt some on my head. I read that soda can be dissolved in boiling water. Not really. After a while it kind of crystallizes and is even harder to squirt. I mixed the soda and water in the blender and added guar gum. You can't do this by hand (it will lump). That worked okay. But the last time I made it, I just boiled some water and once it was boiling I stirred in some cornstarch and kept stirring until it was as thick as I wanted it. After it cooled down I whisked in the baking soda. Perfection. I put it in a condiment squirt bottle and vinegar rinse in another. To answer Lisa's question, no, you do not smell the vinegar once your hair dries. And to answer Share's question, yes, basically I just use it on my scalp. However, my hair is short, so it reaches all my hair. Really, hair doesn't often get dirty, just your scalp, but whatever you put on your scalp gets on your hair when it's time to rinse anyway.

I have been "poo-free for just over 9 months now. I stock up on things when they're on sale, so my husband also has a huge stash of shampoo and conditioner to use up.

I keep a little plastic container of baking soda in the tub and sprinkle some on my palm. Add a bit of water and combine with my finger to the consistency of icing, or a glaze, a slurry and massage it into my hair, getting on the scalp. Let sit for a few minutes while you wash other parts and rinse really well.

I was thinking I could dilute the cider vinegar but I just squirt it on my hair and rinse out thoroughly. When your hair is dry, there's no smell, I don't smell like a pickle.

When I first read this I thought you were talking about he "Poo Spray" for the toilet, I just hate that commercial! I haven't tried just baking soda. Is it hard to distribute into your hair? any tips? My hair seems to be a bit oily will this help that?

I have never heard of the no poo movement until today! Interesting. My DD had a terrible problem with dry skin/scalp. She has tried all of the anti dandruff anti flake shampoos. They work for awhile and then stop. Does anyone know if this baking soda (no poo) will help those with dry flaky scalp?

Lily, it's all about finding a balance to achieve a healthy scalp. So I would think so. But, here's where I learned all about this method. Loads of answers and more links.

http://coderedhat.com/no-poo-method/

Do any of you have blonde hair? I try to use products (shampoo so far) that don't darken my hair at all.

When I read the subject line ...

... I wondered whether you'd had trouble with a neighbour walking his dog but forgetting his bag, had threatened him (it would be a "him" wouldn't it?) with a baseball bat ...

... and wondered what else to do if that didn't work.

Looks like I was jumping to unwarranted conclusions.

I've done such, on earlier occasions.

ole joyful

I tried it last night and I believe my hair is shinier. I will do it again and see what happens.

I used baking soda with my shampoo this weekend to help get rid of product build up/itchy scalp. My hair felt super soft afterwards. Although I understand the no poo concept, I don't know if I could go days between washings.

Before starting this I'd read up on it. This is something I was going to try last summer but ddidn't after reading a lot of horror stories on google about peoples hair becomming brittle..somethin g about the PH.

That's what the Apple cider vinegar rinse is for - to balance the ph level.

And I can't go days without washing my hair either. I wash at least five days a week (every weekday) and sometime more.

I've done it for years. I don't have brittle hair. Sounds like they're not using enough vinegar. I wash less often now because the balance is more in line with what it should be. Soap strips away all the oil your body intended for your hair to have, so the body overcompensates and produces more oil, trying to make up for the loss.

I never would've thought it possible to wash less often, but really, it is!

Since today is Monday, I this is 'wash' day. My hair isn't greasy at all, and it certainly doesn't stink. It's also still shiny.

I just had to tell you........ I told my neighbor about this, she has long straight blonde hair and when she came over today her hair was so shiny it looked great after doing this just one time. Thanks Sherry!

Hi JoAnn,

Just a tip - how be you and your neighbour tip a bottle to put a bit of sherry into a couple of glasses ... (or more, if you wish to include family members/friends) ...

... and drink a toast to our Sherrry?

ole joyfuelled

???????

I tried it this week... forgot about the vinegar rinse, just used my normal conditioner. 3 days later, my hair still looks good! I have very thick (colored gray) hair and it's hard for me to find something to tame it down without it looking greasy.

Thanks for posting about this! I already talked 2 other people into trying it. :)

JoAnn, it's good that your neighbour tried it, and you saw some immediate results.

Thanks for the laugh Joyful. (JoAnn, he is alluding to having a drink of sherry).

Share, you don't need the cider vinegar rinse immediately, only when your hair feels dry. You shouldn't need it often at all.

For those that try the baking soda wash, and you find that your hair is dry, cut down on the baking soda and use cider vinegar rinse more often till it's normal.

Share-oh, let us know how it goes with you. I was concerned that the baking soda wash would strip my hair of the artificial color, but I ended up deciding to stop coloring at the same time I started the baking soda wash, so I'll never know unless you tell us.

ah you have learned well grasshopper

As an aside, just thought I'd tell you my husband thinks I've lost it, because he knows I keep my "shampoo" in a condiment bottle in the shower, but sometimes he'll walk into the bathroom while I'm brushing my teeth and see me squirting "shampoo" into my mouth. I also use baking soda to brush my teeth with once or twice a week.

I've used baking soda mixed with peroxide to whiten my gray hair. I follow it with an apple cider rinse. Saw it on Pinterest. Does it work? I don't see any difference.

I have been very impressed with this since I started it about 2 weeks ago. It has worked great. I have to say you need the vinegar rinse to make it work. Then I was thinking................................ what about my dog. I just looked it up and here is what I found. I will try it today and give you the results.

Vinegar at bath time is good for bacterial or yeast skin infections.

When you're looking for a natural element to add to your dog's bath, look no further than the pantry shelf. Many everyday items are useful for grooming your dog in a healthy and natural way. Vinegar, for instance, will benefit your dog in his bath and in other applications, too.
Vinegar at Bath Time Is Helpful

If your pooch has the itchies, no matter what the cause, bring out the vinegar at bath time. It's effective for treating skin disorders from dandruff to bacterial and yeast infections. Vinegar will soothe your dog's itch, help heal his skin and leave his coat soft and shiny.
How to Use Vinegar in Your Dog's Bath

When you use vinegar to alleviate a skin problem or simply to enhance your dog's coat, you won't actually put it in his shampoo or the bath water. Vinegar is most effective when used as a rinse after you've already shampooed and rinsed your dog. Combine vinegar in a 1-part-to-5-parts mixture with warm water and pour it over your dog, taking care to avoid getting it in his eyes. Rub your dog as you pour the vinegar water over him to distribute it through his coat, then rinse him a couple times with clear water, scrubbing with your fingers all over. In addition to the benefits to his skin and fur, the vinegar rinse will eliminate residue that his shampoo might leave behind. Don't worry about getting any of the vinegar rinse on your pup's privates. The vinegar solution is diluted to be mild enough that it won't cause any discomfort or irritation.
Vinegar Ear Wash

Basset hounds, blood hounds, cocker spaniels -- any dogs with long, floppy ears -- are prone to constant ear infections. That's because their low-hanging ear flaps trap moisture inside and create a favorable environment for nasty bacteria and yeast to grow. If you have a flop-eared dog, clean his ears with a vinegar ear wash during bath time as well as in between bath days to keep infections under control. Mixing 1 part vinegar with 2 parts warm water will make an effective antibacterial solution that won't irritate your pup's ears. Just dampen a cotton or gauze pad with the vinegar ear cleanser and wipe away the dirt and wax from the inside flap of your dog's ears to the opening of his ear canal. Never insert anything inside the ear canal, but cleaning the surrounding area will help keep your dog's ears healthy.
Other Vinegar Benefits

Vinegar is a useful supplement for dogs inside and out. You can put a measuring teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in each pint of water your dog drinks to boost his immune system and help accelerate his recovery from illness. Vinegar will help balance out a dog's electrolytes and digestive enzymes, and can make him less appetizing to fleas. Cider vinegar can provide potassium and minerals that can help with hip dysplasia and arthritis, too. If you want to give a bit of vinegar in your dog's water a try, be sure to use a glass or plastic bowl, as a metal bowl can react with the vinegar and give the water a taste your dog won't like.

Thanks so much Jasdip for bringing this subject up again. My hair had never felt so good.

The results are in.....................

His fur is softer and much easier to comb. He does look a bit shinier too. I will do this again. :^)

Donna - I'll let you know if I see a difference. I sure hope not! I have to color my hair once a month now - it grows out so quickly. The color stays put regardless of what I've been shampooing with, it's just the gray roots show up way too quickly. And, since I've been adding collagen to my morning coffee faithfully, I actually have some dark roots showing up! Guess that's a whole other topic!

Ok I have to ask this question, and I do not mean to offend. Doesn't your hair/scalp have that unwashed smell? I am a runner and work up quite a sweat, even in winter under my hat. I'm a fanatic about washing my hair and worrying it would have that dirty hair smell. I don't have dry hair or scalp and sometimes wash my hair twice a day with a very mild shampoo. I only use a small amount & don't leave it in my hair very long.

Nope. It smells like... nothing. The absence of fragrance. I know what you're talking about though. That smell. Ew. I hate that smell.

Me too, Rob333! That's why I'm asking. Sometimes people you walk past in a store for example. You just KNOW without looking they haven't washed their hair.

Outsideplaying, there's no dirty-hair smell when using baking soda. Even when you use cider vinegar, the smell goes away when you're rinsing, and when it's dry. You don't smell like a pickle.

Even though I and Rob333 are washing our hair only twice a week, our hair isn't stinky and it doesn't get greasy. Mine doesn't even look dirty, it's still shiny, just that I like to have a schedule.

OutsidePlaying, just because we are not using shampoo does not mean that we are not washing our hair. Baking soda is used for cleaning many things as well as deodorizing many things. Us modern people are conditioned to believe that we must have "bubbles" in order to clean things. That is a fallacy. My husband insists he can smell nothing when sniffing my scalp. While my hair is wet, he can detect a very faint vinegar smell, but once dry, he can't smell that either.

Share, OT- I bought collagen powder (a god high quality brand) I can barely drink it. I tried putting it in my coffe but it's so bad. Does yours have a bad taste?

Lily, I don't taste the collagen at all! But I do put a flavored creamer in my coffee, maybe that masks any taste? I use Great Lakes brand I believe it's called. Buy it on Amazon. I swear it helped with my hot flashes/night sweats. I was out of the country for 10 days and afraid to take any with me, being a powdered substance! And what a difference I noticed by the time I got back.

Also, back on topic - I tried the vinegar rinse over the weekend and immediately got vinegar in my eye! Ouch! Luckily I was able to rinse it right out. I need a squeeze bottle I think like others have mentioned using to aim it onto my hair better. Have to say, very pleased with the results so far!

Share, I remember as a teenager pouring a glass of water and vinegar over my head as a rinse. But now I use a squeeze bottle from the dollar store. Make sure you use cider vinegar, I don't think it's as strong and it's what has been recommended on the sites.

Thanks Jasdip! I went back and looked at the link again that Rob sent... it says to put the vinegar on the length of the hair... guess my trying to pour some on my head was a bad idea to begin with! Will try just the length next time. My hair still looks dry - it is colored gray hair so it's really coarse now but even my dh said it felt much softer already. Looking forward to continued success. : )

My hair is short, I typically keep it very short.... cut around my ears and about 2" on top. I'm growing it out again (I tried it a few years ago then cut it off again). I'm looking to try different styles. It's over my ears now. Anyway, if you've got long hair, it's easy to rinse just the hair itself. I squirt it over my head.

Glad to find this thread. 1st time to hear about this hair treatment. Will give vinegar water a try this weekend. I want soft hair.

I used Lana's fur cleaning kit before for my coats, it smelled like vinegar for sure, I was always wondered it was just vinegar water...... they are selling it for $39.95 a tiny spray bottle....... I will give my hair a try 1st then my coat. :-)

Coat? I've not heard of trying it on, are you saying this, an article of clothing? That's interesting.

It's just a tryout for fur coats, to make the fur soft and clean.......

I went no poo this week. My hair is curly and I hate frizz so I always use conditioning shampoo, conditioner, AND a conditioning leave-in product. I used baking soda in the palm of my hand to wash, then I used a tablespoon of Bragg's apple cider vinegar in a half cup of water in a spray bottle. It was easy to direct it onto my hair without getting any in my eyes. I combed it through and the comb slid right through my shoulder length hair. Impressive!

I was really surprised at how well it cleaned and conditioned. It's actually better conditioned than it was from all the products I was using. Yesterday I only water washed it after giving my scalp a good massage. Then I conditioned with the ACV. It was a little greasier than I'd like, so today I washed with the baking soda again. I know I'll need to taper off the baking soda, but is every other day okay for now?

Mayflowers, every other day is good. What I did, was use shampoo one day, skip a day, then the baking soda, skip a day, then shampoo. People have complained about greasy hair using baking soda in the beginning. Alternating with shampoo and skipping a day in between solves the greasy issue.

I wash my hair with baking soda at least five times a week. I haven't noticed any negative effect of doing it this often in the nine months I've been doing it this way. I would think that if you just concentrate on massaging it into your scalp and not over the length of your hair, you should be fine.

Thank you. I'll do it every other day and see how it goes.

One of my reasons for doing this is I saw before and after photos and it makes your curls more defined. I have ringlets now, which I'm a little too old for, so I'll need to get my hair layered a little. I always had a problem area in front where my hair is a little gray, making it lose the curl, but now it's restored the curl to that area.

I'm completely no-poo for a month now! I love it! I wash my hair twice a week with baking soda only. I put the vinegar in a spray bottle and no more getting in my eyes, just concentrate on the length.

Yesterday a co-worker asked if she could touch my hair because it looked so soft! I color my hair because it's almost all gray, and those coarse gray hairs haven't been soft ever!

My hair still gets a little bit greasy on the last day before I wash it but it's only underneath so I just brush it really good and that seems to take care of it. As long as it's not greasy on the top layer I don't mind. Figure some natural oil is good for it!