Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Hair and Scalp Rinse
Looking for more shine and greater strength? Give your hair and scalp the extra attention it needs with this DIY clarifying apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse.
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Looking for natural and inexpensive ways to take care of myself and my home is a passion of mine. I love buying in bulk, cooking from scratch, and trying out DIY solutions for my personal care products.
One area that I find it difficult to find both natural and affordable options is hair care, especially for curly hair.
I currently have a good wash day routine of using EcoRoots shampoo bars and a low-tox conditioner I buy in bulk from Amazon. However, sometimes I feel like my hair and scalp need a little extra attention.
To meet this need, I have begun using a homemade apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse. I love how clean my scalp feels, and how soft and shiny my hair turns out.
If you think you need a little boost in your hair care routine, learn how to make this apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse for yourself with a few simple ingredients.
What is a Clarifying Hair and Scalp Rinse?
Most people have heard of clarifying shampoo, but not necessarily clarifying hair and scalp rinse.
A clarifying shampoo provides a deeper cleansing action than regular shampoo. Used less frequently, it lathers and cleanses, stripping away build-up, oils, and residue from hair styling products. When used properly, you can benefit from added volume and shine to your hair.
A clarifying rinse serves a similar purpose in removing excess build-up, oils, and impurities, but it does not lather like shampoo, because it does not contain surfactants. Instead, the rinse is usually acidic in nature, working to dissolve build-up and close the hair cuticle.
This apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse falls under that second category, being acidic in nature. In addition, I also add essential oils to this DIY recipe for a few added benefits.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair and Scalp Health
Whether you make it yourself (see recipe) or purchase it (buy here), apple cider vinegar is useful for your home, your health, and even your hair!
Here are some benefits you may experience from using an apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse:
(source)
Benefits of Essential Oils for Hair and Scalp Health
Apple cider vinegar may be the main ingredient in my apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse, but I also like to add in tea tree and rosemary essential oils for added benefits.
Potential benefits of tea tree essential oil for hair and scalp health:
(source)
Potential benefits of rosemary essential oil for hair and scalp health:
(source)
Between the acidity of the apple cider vinegar, and the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils, this apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse will help anyone looking to have healthier more beautiful hair.
How to Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair and Scalp Rinse
I’ve seen different recommendations online with how to make and use an apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse, but I tend to tweak things and do what I find most helpful.
As someone with long, thick, curly hair, I usually wash my hair about three times per week. This will vary depending on what I have going on and how I want to be able to style my hair. However, three times per week is probably the average.
I start by washing my hair with an EcoRoots shampoo bar. There are a few that I buy, and a few I steer clear of due to the ingredients (see product description in The Shop for more information).
After washing, I condition my hair with a low-tox hair conditioner that most people have never heard of 😅. I leave my conditioner on for several minutes, and then rinse fully.
At the very end, I use my clarifying apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse. Even though it’s plastic, I use it in a squeeze bottle designed specifically for scalp application (see here).
I turn the bottle upside down and place the tip on my scalp. Beginning at my hairline, I work my way down to the base of my head. I do several runs of this all over my head. Additionally, I sometimes squeeze some of the apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse on the shaft of my hair.
After application, I usually don’t rinse anything out. I’ll squeeze excess liquid from my hair and I may do just a quick rinse under the water. For the most part though, I allow the apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse to sit and absorb.
Once I get out of the shower, I towel dry and style my hair as usual.
How to Make a Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Hair and Scalp Rinse
It’s super quick and easy to make your own clarifying apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse. It saves money vs. buying clarifying products at the store, and I’ve linked the best squeeze bottle for easy application.
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 7-10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 7-10 drops rosemary essential oil
Equipment
- 1 squeeze bottle
- 1 funnel (optional)
Instructions
Tap/click the images for a description of each step ⬇️
Step #1: Combine all ingredients in a plastic squeeze bottle, and shake well to combine.
Step #2: Apply to scalp and hair after shampoo and conditioner.
Step #3: Let the apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse sit for a few minutes to absorb.
Step #4: Squeeze excess liquid from hair and do an optional light rinse.
Step #5: Towel dry and style as usual!
Tips
- Apple cider vinegar is acidic, so be sure to tilt your head back so that it doesn’t get into your eyes!
- I like to use equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. You can adjust this ratio as you see fit for your hair needs.
- While this vinegar hair rinse works great without essential oils, I do think they make it even more effective.
- While I do like to make apple cider vinegar from scratch, I prefer to use store-bought apple cider vinegar for this hair and scalp rinse since it is more acidic.
Ways to Use
- Please see “How to Use” section.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Natural and simple solutions that save money is a passion of mine. Whether it’s cleaning products, home ferments, or homemade personal care products, I love actually calculating how much money I save when I make something from scratch.
For this cost-benefit analysis, I will be comparing the cost of making an apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse at home vs. buying a comparable product online (see here).
As of October 2026 in Tennessee:
Homemade Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Hair and Scalp Rinse
½ cup water
- FREE
½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 32oz = $6.79
- 32oz = 4 cups
- $6.79 % 4 = $1.70 per cup
- ½ cup = $0.85
10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 1oz bottle = $16.00
- 1oz bottle = approx. 600 drops
- $16.00 % 600 = $0.03/drop
- 10 drops = $0.30
10 drops rosemary essential
- 1oz bottle = $17.00
- 1oz bottle = approx. 600 drops
- $17.00 % 600 = $0.03/drop
- 10 drops = $0.30
Total: $1.45 (1 cup/8oz)
Chagrin Valley Vinegar Hair Rinse (find here)
- 9oz = $17.95
- 9oz = 18 tbsp
- 18 % *4 = 4.5
- $17.95 % 4.5 = $3.99
Total: $3.99 (8oz)
*The Chagrin Valley Vinegar Hair Rinse is a concentrate. The instructions state to add 1-4 tbsp of concentrate to 8oz of water. Since I like my apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse to be strong, I calculated this product according to the strongest recommended. Following these instructions, I can make the vinegar hair rinse 4.5 times. Each batch will cost me $3.99.
Even though making my own apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse is cheaper, the Chagrin Valley Vinegar Hair Rinse from Mountain Rose Herbs is the most affordable and has the best ingredients out of any clarifying hair rinse I was able to find. Two thumbs up for this brand!
FAQs
Related Products
Related Posts
I hope you enjoy this natural and inexpensive way to achieve more beautiful hair!
Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Hair and Scalp Rinse
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a plastic squeeze bottle, and shake well to combine.
- Apply to scalp and hair after shampoo and conditioner.
- Let the apple cider vinegar hair and scalp rinse sit for a few minutes to absorb.
- Squeeze excess liquid from hair and do an optional light rinse.
- Towel dry and style as usual!
Notes
- Apple cider vinegar is acidic, so be sure to tilt your head back so that it doesn’t get into your eyes!
- I like to use equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. You can adjust this ratio as you see fit for your hair needs.
- While this vinegar hair rinse works great without essential oils, I do think they make it even more effective.
- While I do like to make apple cider vinegar from scratch, I prefer to use store-bought apple cider vinegar for this hair and scalp rinse since it is more acidic.
This is a personal blog. All posts, recipes, recommendations, and how-tos are for informational use and personal viewing pleasure only. Blog posts are not written by AI.
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