eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Use Vinegar to Lighten Hair

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(47 Ratings)

You may have heard that vinegar can be used to clarify and condition hair. It is also a popular ingredient used to lighten hair at home. You don't need expensive salon coloring to achieve a lighter and brighter shade of hair when you can do it easily and inexpensively with vinegar.

From Quick Guide: Vinegar 101
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Apple cider, white or red wine vinegar
  • Water
  • Pot for boiling
  • Lemon juice (optional)
  • Spray bottle (optional)
  • Soy sauce (optional)
  1. Step 1

    Rinse your hair with vinegar before you shampoo it. The vinegar will help remove buildup from styling products and will also impart a natural shine to it.

  2. Step 2

    Boil 2 cups water in a small pot, and then add 2 tbsp. cider vinegar and steep for 15 minutes. Allow it to cool and after you rinse out your shampoo, pour the mixture through your hair.

  3. Step 3

    Use white vinegar to bring out blond highlights and lighten your hair. Apple cider vinegar will bring out auburn tones.

  4. Step 4

    Mix one part vinegar and one part lemon juice in a spray bottle. For highlighted streaks, pull out sections of your hair and spray with the mixture. For all-over lightening and brightening, saturate all of your hair. Leave on 10 minutes or longer. To enhance the mixture's effects, sit outside in the sun.

  5. Step 5

    Rinse your hair with vinegar as often as you like, depending on your hair's condition. Many people can use the rinse up to three times per week, while some people should only use it once a week. Know your hair--for most people, vinegar adds softness and shine.

  6. Step 6

    Let the vinegar stay in your hair for 10 to 20 minutes to further lighten your hair if you have time. Then rinse it out with warm water. The vinegar smell should evaporate as your hair dries.

  7. Step 7

    Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup soy sauce to add subtle coloring to dark hair. Use as a rinse after shampooing just as you would with a plain vinegar rinse.

Tips & Warnings
  • Vinegar restores your hair to its proper pH and also smooths its cuticle. Vinegar has been known to tame frizzy hair because of its smoothing effect.
  • When you pour the vinegar onto your hair, be careful not to get it into your eyes. It might also burn sensitive skin, so avoid pouring it on your skin as well.
  • Vinegar cannot remove hair dye. It will not strip the color the way chemical lighteners will. The effect of vinegar is more subtle.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Fashion, Style & Personal Care Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care
eHow_eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care