There are many different ways to wash hair without shampoo: this list briefly discusses the pros and cons of the most well-known methods. Natural haircare users often like to tweak and combine various methods of shampoo-free hair washing.
Conditioner-Only Hair Washing
This method uses conditioner to cleanse the hair as well as moisturising it.
Pros of Conditioner-Only Hair Washing
- Some people like the smell of conditioner and the process of using a luxurious product on their hair
- Hair often becomes silky, moisturised and shiny
Cons of Conditioner-Only Hair Washing
- CO washing involves a somewhat greasy transition period as the scalp gets used to gentler cleansing
- Use of conditioner means some chemicals are still used
- Not as cheap or 'green' as some forms of natural haircare
Water-Only Hair Washing
Water-only washing involves using a boar-bristle brush to remove dust and dirt from the hair, and washing the sebum from the scalp with hot and cold water and a lot of scalp 'scritching'.
Pros of Water-Only Hair Washing
- WO uses no products whatsoever, so is essentially free!
- Completely chemical-free
- Very eco-friendly (except in a drought)
Cons of Water-Only Hair Washing
- Usually involves a longer and more severe greasy transition period than CO washing
- Does require some investment of time using a boar-bristle brush to clean hair every day
- Some people miss using products on their hair
- The washing process can take some time, which uses a lot of water
Herbal Haircare
The term 'herbal haircare' applies to a number of homemade and/or natural haircare methods which may or may not actually involve herbs. Use of essential oils, aloe vera gel, rosewater, honey and Indian herbs such as shikakai and amla all vaguely qualify as 'herbal' haircare.
Pros of Herbal Haircare
- Highly adaptable and versatile
- Some people love trying new concoctions, giving their hair 'treats' such as masques and oiling, and playing around with different ingredients
Cons of Herbal Haircare
- Some time commitment required to source and mix up various potions
- Some trial and error required to find a routine which is not too heavy or too harsh
- Family members of herbal haircare users are prone to complaining when groceries such as avocadoes and yoghurt mysteriously disappear into the bathroom!
Baking Soda and Vinegar Washing
Using baking soda and vinegar to wash hair isn't quite as dramatic as it sounds – there's no fizzing involved! The process involves making a baking soda paste and using it as a shampoo, then rinsing it out and following with a diluted vinegar rinse to restore the hair's natural acidity.
- Pros of Baking Soda and Vinegar Haircare
- This is a low-maintenance approach which is similar to using shampoo and conditioner, so easier to get the hang of than some other forms of natural haircare
- Requires no special or expensive ingredients
Cons of Baking Soda and Vinegar Haircare
- Hair tends to smell like vinegar when drying
- Some people find baking soda too harsh a cleanser
- Requires hair to be washed more often than WO or CO washing (similar to conventional hair-washing)
Waterless Hair Washing (Sebum-Only)
Perhaps the most 'extreme' form of natural haircare, sebum-only washing involves using a boar bristle brush to rid the hair of dirt and distribute the sebum over the length of the hair.
Pros of Waterless Hair Washing
- Extremely eco-friendly, costs nothing and is chemical-free
- Useful routine in situations with little water, such as camping trips
Cons of Waterless Hair Washing
- An even longer greasy transition period than water-only washing while the scalp adjusts
- Fairly high-maintenance; needs lots of grooming to prevent an itchy scalp and greasy hair
When making the switch from shampoo to alternative haircare, some like to gradually change via conditioner-only washing, while others like to jump straight into WO or waterless washing. Not all methods work for everyone, and there's no shame in switching to a less (or more!) 'extreme' method according to the needs of your hair and lifestyle.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
