How to Use Green Tea as an Alternative to Shampoo to Clean Hair

Green tea is a safe, natural alternative to regular shampoo.

Using a green tea rinse is an ideal alternative to washing your hair with regular shampoo. Some people opt to wash their hair with green tea to help soothe scalp irritations, as well as to strengthen the hair. Green tea is gentle enough to use on a daily basis and leaves the hair soft, shiny and manageable.

Things You'll Need

• Stove pot
• 2 green tea bags
• Apple cider vinegar
• Measuring spoon
• Honey
• Squirt bottle or empty shampoo bottle

Instructions

1. Boil 2 cups of water in the microwave or on the stove. Once the water boils, turn off the heat and steep two regular-sized bags of green tea in the water. Let the bags steep for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the bags from the water. Squeeze out any excess water from the bags into the tea.

2. Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to the green tea. The apple cider vinegar acts as a clarifying agent and also helps gently cleanse the hair. You do not have to add apple cider vinegar to every green tea rinse you make.

3. Add 2 teaspoons of honey to your tea. Stir the honey in the tea. Honey contains antibacterial properties and also helps soothe dry or itchy scalps.

4. Let the tea sit until it cools completely. Pour the tea mixture into a squirt bottle or empty shampoo bottle.

5. Wet your hair with lukewarm water. Squirt the tea mixture at the roots of your hair. Massage the mixture through your hair. Squirt more mixture at the end of your hair and massage.

6. Leave the mixture in your hair for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a green tea rinse any time you need to wash your hair. Instead of adding apple cider vinegar and honey to your rinse, you can simply steep the green tea and use it alone.

• Further customize your green tea rinse by adding lavender or other herbs to your rinse.

• Some people do have an allergic reaction to green tea. Always check for allergies before trying a new product or hair rinse. Test the rinse on a small part of your skin and wait 24 hours. If you have an allergic reaction to green tea, do not use the rinse.

References

• Black Hair Planet; Green Tea Hair Repair from Your Pantry; Jordan Etters; July 2009
• Family Source: Health Benefits of Green Tea in Your Diet
• Amazing Green Tea: Honey and Hair Growth Dermatitis and Dandruff Treatment
• Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits: Vinegar Hair Rinse–Natural Hair Care Product

Resources

• Hair Web: Washing Hair - Shampooing Hair