Baking Soda and ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)

Okay, so I have a secret. Yesterday I went to a business mixer and since I've been starting my blog, I've had a few followers now who, surprisingly, love what I have to say ( Thank you by the way, I feel the love). I had one ask me if I have been doing the "No Poo Shampoo".  I said no and stated I was just not ready yet. But in the back of my mind  I'm thinking, "Today is only day 4 I CAN get through this! God does my hair look bad? It looks dry and frizzy. And it's staring to curl. Damn this humidity."

Yep..Exactly what I was thinking (I can be such a diva)...

Week 1

So yes  I have begun my journey into the world of never using commercial shampoo and conditioners again (I think my bank account just did an applause). Sorry for the big fib guys! I promise I won't keep anymore secrets! If your curious as to what my hair looks like now that I'm on day 5, it's actually not THAT bad. I usually go 2 maaaybe 3 days in between washings anyways because my hair is so thick and curly. If I was to wash every day, my hair would dry out and look like I stuck my finger in the electrical socket. So I guess it's used to a few days without the washing.

But, I still feel the need to clean my hair somehow other than just rinse with water. Que the Baking Soda Wash and Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. Just a quick background before I spill the recipe..

Regular shampoo has some pretty harsh sulfates in it. These sulfates clean the hair (a little too well) and strip us of its natural oils. Which THEN causes our scalp to produce more oil than is actually needed. Then there is dandruff and itchy scalps which makes us wash our hair more, and it's all ONE BIG continuous cycle. Geez...What are we doing??? Baking soda doesn't strip our hair of it's natural oils, it just simply removes the dirt from our hair. Well that sounds a whole HECK of a lot better :)

Regular conditioner can be just as nasty. "But it makes my hair feel so soft!" Yes true..But guess what. Since you used an unnecessary detergent on your hair (shampoo) and stripped your hair of all it's natural oils, you now have to use a synthetic protectant in your hair (conditioner) to make it soft and manageable. Plus the leave in conditioner, the detangler, then heat protectant. The list goes on and on...I'm no saint, I'm SO guilty of this too...Also, let's take a look to see what in it..I bet you 10 bucks if you were to look on the back of your conditioner bottle the second ingredient would be alcohol. The first is usually water. Alcohol...Really??? I might as well light a match and set my hair on fire...Okay, enough ranting..You get the idea :) 

 Baking Soda Shampoo
1 tbs baking soda
1 cup filtered water

*You will also need a measuring cup, tablespoon, and if you want a use or re-purpose an empty CLEAN container you can. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
1tbs of vinegar
1 cup of filtered water

*You will also need a measuring cup, tablespoon, and a clean empty container if you want to use one. 

The ratios for these recipes are flexible, you really can't mess this up (unless you don't rinse it out). If your hair is long and thick, add more baking soda, and if it's short and thin add less. I used a little bit more because I have thick curly hair, and it's about medium length right now. Use cool or cold water with the baking soda shampoo. Using warm to hot water can make the baking soda clump up, and that just won't work (lukewarm is fine). Pour onto hair and rub into scalp in circular motions. Rinse very thoroughly. 

For the vinegar rinse, I used a lot more than one tablespoon. Probably about 1/4 cup to 1 cup. Flip your head over and pour all over your ends only. No need to pour or rub into your scalp. Let sit for a couple of minutes and then rinse thoroughly. 

My personal experience..
I did the baking soda shampoo..Okay yeah, it feels clean but my hair feels dry. As I was doing the ACV rinse I was thinking, "There is no way in heck this is going to make my hair feel soft." Then as I started rinsing it out, something happened (and no I didn't drop the soap). I started to feel my hair smooth out.  Then it started to detangle. Then I said, "Holy &*$%, it works!".  So take THAT overly priced synthetic commercial conditioner!! And if that's not enough I had a hair dresser come to trim my hair (she's a mobile hairdresser, isn't that cool??) and I told her what I did and SHE even said, "Your hair does feel really soft!". Why yes...I know it does ::wink wink, nudge nudge:: I'm definitely hooked!

If you're worried if your hair will smell like vinegar, it won't. I was a little worried, but once your hair dries the smell is completely gone. And believe me, when your hair dries...It is OH SO soft.