How to Get Castor Oil out of Hair?

Castor oil is widely used in hair treatments to help with strengthening and bringing shine. It is also an extremely sticky and thick oil, which makes it a difficult substance to wash out. If you have ever used castor oil for hair, this may be something you have struggled with. Well fear not, as there are some steps that can be taken in order to easily remove castor oil from your hair.

Why Castor Oil Is Hard to Remove

First let us explore what makes it so difficult to wash out in the first place? Castor oil is extremely thick in nature and is composed of a high density of fatty acids. This works wonders at helping moisturize and protect your hair but when it comes the time for washing, regular shampoo doesn’t always work. The oil sticks to your hair and scalp, making it difficult to rinse away completely.

Steps to Remove Castor Oil from Hair

1. Use a Clarifying Shampoo

A clarifying shampoo is designed to remove buildup from hair products, including oils. Here’s how to use it:

1. Wet your hair: Start by thoroughly wetting your hair with warm water. Warm water helps to loosen the oil.
2. Apply clarifying shampoo: Use a generous amount of clarifying shampoo and work it into a lather. Make sure to massage your scalp and hair to help break down the castor oil.
3. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse your hair well with warm water. You may need to repeat this step a couple of times to ensure all the oil is removed.

2. Try Dish Soap

Dish soap is strong enough to cut through grease and can help remove castor oil from your hair. Follow these steps:

1. Wet your hair: Use warm water to wet your hair completely.
2. Apply dish soap: Squeeze a small amount of dish soap into your hand and lather it up. Apply it to your hair, focusing on the areas with the most oil.
3. Rinse well: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. Be sure to condition your hair afterward, as dish soap can be very drying.

3. Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can help lift oil from your hair. Here’s how to use it:

1. Mix baking soda and water: Combine one tablespoon of baking soda with three tablespoons of water to make a paste.
2. Apply to hair: Work the paste through your hair, focusing on the roots and oily areas.
3. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse your hair with warm water. You might need to shampoo and condition your hair afterward to remove any remaining residue.

4. Try Cornstarch or Baby Powder

Cornstarch or baby powder can help absorb excess oil from your hair. Follow these steps:

1. Apply powder: Sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch or baby powder onto your hair, focusing on the roots.
2. Let it sit: Allow the powder to sit in your hair for about 10-15 minutes. It will absorb the oil.
3. Brush out: Use a brush to thoroughly remove the powder from your hair. You may need to shampoo your hair afterward to get rid of any remaining powder.

5. Use a Vinegar Rinse

Vinegar can help break down oil and make it easier to wash out. Here’s how to use it:

1. Mix vinegar and water: Combine one part vinegar (apple cider vinegar works well) with two parts water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray onto hair: Spray the mixture onto your hair, focusing on the oily areas.
3. Let it sit: Allow the vinegar mixture to sit in your hair for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Rinse well: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. Follow up with a shampoo and conditioner to remove the vinegar smell.

6. Shampoo with Olive Oil

It might sound strange to use more oil to remove oil, but olive oil can help break down the castor oil and make it easier to wash out. Here’s how:

1. Apply olive oil: Warm a small amount of olive oil and apply it to your hair, focusing on the areas with castor oil.
2. Massage in: Massage the olive oil into your hair and scalp. The olive oil will help dissolve the castor oil.
3. Shampoo well: Use your regular shampoo to wash out the olive oil and castor oil mixture. You may need to shampoo twice to remove all the oil.

7. Use a Combination of Methods

Sometimes, one method alone may not be enough. You can combine different methods to ensure all the castor oil is removed from your hair. For example, you can start with a baking soda paste, then use a clarifying shampoo, and finish with a vinegar rinse.

Tips to Prevent Castor Oil from Sticking

1. Use less oil: Start with a small amount of castor oil. You can always add more if needed, but using too much will make it harder to wash out.
2. Mix with other oils: Mixing castor oil with lighter oils, like coconut or olive oil, can make it easier to apply and wash out.
3. Warm the oil: Warm castor oil is easier to spread through your hair and may be easier to wash out.

Conclusion

Castor oil can do wonders for your hair, but sometimes getting it out can be a bit of an ordeal. However, with the right techniques and following this guide, you can remove castor oil from your hair without any issues. Whether you decide to use a clarifying shampoo, dish soap, baking soda or cornstarch, vinegar, or combine them all, we hope you find the best way to get castor oil out of your hair. Be patient and take your time and soon enough removing castor oil from your hair will no longer be such a big deal.