A reader emailed me and asked if I’d ever heard of using clay to wash or detox your hair. I hadn’t, but was intrigued, so I started researching…

Mud in Your Hair?

Turns out, clay can be very beneficial for hair in the same way it can be beneficial in the rest of the body: it removes toxins to leave hair super-clean and with a lot of shiny volume.

I still like my coconut milk shampoo, but from the comments, it definitely doesn’t work for everyone. This recipe is another great option that could be used regularly. It seems especially good for those with fine or naturally oily hair as it leaves the hair very clean, but I also found sites recommending it for those with coarse or frizzy hair for its ability to tame the hair (I can’t speak personally on this one as my hair is very fine).

If no-poo hasn’t worked for you, and homemade shampoo hasn’t worked for you, I’d encourage you to try this option. It can be customized for your hair type and lasts up to a week in the shower.

Sound strange to wash your hair with mud? Give it a try…

How to Detox Your Hair

As I mentioned in my herbal hair colors post, different herbs can have darkening or lightening effects on hair. Nettle is said to be great for hair, so I would use this on any hair color. I used chamomile flowers on my hair since it is blonde, but rosemary would be a better choice for dark hair (and it is also supposed to be a good natural remedy for dandruff).

These are the mixtures I’ve tried:

For blonde hair: 1/4 cup chamomile flowers + 2 tablespoons nettle leaf in 2 cups boiling water
For dark hair: 1/4 cup Rosemary leaf + 2 tablespoons nettle leaf in 2 cups of boiling water

After the mixture cools, I strained out the herbs and used 1 cup for the clay recipe and 1 cup for the final rinse with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar added.

Put mud in your hair- natural clay hair detox for thick and shiny hair

4.44 from 39 votes

Hair Detox Recipe

Use clay, herbs, and apple cider vinegar to remove toxins from your hair and leave it shiny and smooth.

Prep Time19

Author: Katie Wells

Materials

For Blond Hair:

¼ cup chamomile flowers

For Dark Hair:

¼ cup rosemary

Remaining Ingredients:

2 cups water (boiling)
½ cup apple cider vinegar
¾ cup bentonite clay (or redmond clay)
10 drops essential oil (optional- I used lavender and rosemary for hair growth)

Instructions

Combine the herbs of choice with the boiling water and allow them to steep until the water cools slightly.
Strain herbs out.
Combine 1 cup of the herbal tea and the apple cider vinegar in a blender, food processor, or non-metal bowl.
Add the clay 1 tablespoon at a time while blending or whisking.
Keep adding clay until the mixture is smooth and about the consistency of yogurt.
Add the essential oils if using and mix in.
Store in an air-tight container in the shower for up to a week.

To Use:

Wet hair.
Starting at the roots, massage a handful of the clay mixture into hair and work down to the tips.
Repeat until all hair is coated. Leave 5 minutes or up to 20 minutes (do not let dry!) and rinse out with warm water.
Optional: I use the remaining 1 cup of herbal tea combined with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to rinse with.

Notes

Note: Bentonite clay is most effective if it doesn’t come in contact with metal before use. Mix with wood, plastic or glass for best results, though I haven’t found that this makes much of a difference for hair products. I use an old mini-food processor with a plastic dough blade that I found at a thrift shop.

Do you prefer a pre-made option? Morrocco Method offers an excellent hair and scalp detox product that is made from raw, wildcrafted ingredients.

Would you put mud in your hair? Why or why not?
Natural clays help detox your hair to leave it shiny and thick without the need for chemicals. This recipe explains how and why your hair needs a detox.

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

197 responses to “How to Detox Your Hair”

Rahda

July 31, 2015

One time I used a bentonite based shampoo with a bit of coconut oil and water, along with lavender and tea tree added. At first, I thought it was amazing, until I rinsed it out. I don’t know if it didn’t all wash out or what, but my hair felt grossly waxy and residues for quite some time afterwards. I actually resorted to a gross conventional shampoo to remove it from my hair…….. Do you think this would react similarly? Do you know why the shampoo reacted that way? My hair is thick and frizzy. I’ve also tried the same thing with kaolin clay with no adverse effects whatsoever. I know I tend to have sensitive skin, so I wonder if it could have something to do with that??? Would the detox work with kaolin instead of the bentonite??? Thank you sooooo much for your help and for all the amazing things on your blog; it is one of my faves 🙂

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Al

July 26, 2015

Didn’t work at all for my hair. I have super greasy hair, especially in summer. Decided to try this instead of a cleansing shampoo, left on for about 5-7 minutes and it left my hair stripped and insanely dry. Trying a castor oil mask overnight to bring my hair back.

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Pat

July 22, 2015

I have not used shampoo on my hair for over 2 years, and have tried ALL sorts of “no-poo” methods. I did try a bentonite clay one, but not your specific recipe. My ALL TIME favorite is a RHASSOUL CLAY WASH. It only requires 1 Tbl. of the clay, which I get from Mountain Rose Herbs, 4 oz. of water, 1 dropperful of Rosehip Seed oil (amount is adjusted for your particular hair needs), and essential oils for fragrance, IF desired. I use a few drops of NOW Rosewater Concentrate, since EO’s are too strong for me. Shake up well in a small applicator bottle from the beauty supply. After wetting your hair, just squeeze onto roots, massage gently throughout hair, and rinse – you are done, since the conditioner is included!

I am amazed at how such a small amount of this clay cleans my hair so beautifully! Rhassoul clay is antimicrobial, non-drying and soothes the scalp. It is brown, but doesn’t seem to stain anything, or be hard to rinse out. I have fine oily hair, and no scalp conditions. I wash it every other day. If you have dry hair, you may need to use up to 2 tsp. of the oil. Just wanted to share this great hair wash!

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Shaazia

May 30, 2015

Hi wellness Mama.. please help me!!

I have been using bentonite clay as a face mask for a while, mixed with about 2-3 drops tea tree oil and decided to apply it to my scalp BEFORE reading anything on the internet

Now my hair is falling out like crazy:'( please please help

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Staci

May 22, 2015

I love this stuff! My hair loves this stuff!
But it might be worth mentioning: if it “goes bad”, it won’t just start smelling less-pleasant, it will actually MOLD. Apparently I need to get 2-3 smaller jars and keep most of it in the fridge. 🙁

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1. Staci
  
  July 11, 2015
  
  ohhh..just discovered it also molds in the fridge. Does it FREEZE? or do I need to make itty bitty batches for my short hair?? 🙁
  
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Beeline

May 16, 2015

I mix mine with ACV and honey. I love it! (4C coarse hair)

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Sara

May 11, 2015

I have a clay product from France ” Argile Verte ” after using my face become full of pimples ( I am in my 60s ) and also I have bought Grey Clay from A.Vogel, have not used it yet, and it says for ” Mud bath never use it in a bath tub as the clay would obstruct the drain pipes.
1- About my pimples, is it natural or I am sensitive to clay.
2- If the clay clogs the pipe, where should I use it?
3- Do they have expiry date?

Thank you for your response, I appreciate it.

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1. Donna
  
  March 15, 2016
  
  Its normal for your skin to break out in pimples when using something that’s deep cleansing. It’s pulling all the impurities out. I recommend using zinc oxide before bed on the pimples. Zinc has natural healing properties.
  
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Kristina serra

April 20, 2015

I made the mistake of washing raw (straight clay mixture on 4 day old dirty hair) and let me tell you my hair feels anything but clean. it actually feels dried out in some spots (like its been fried with hairspray and a blow dryer) but in other spots its still just as oily as before I washed. but now it has a gritty unnatural texture. I’m assuming this is the result of my hair being stripped from years of chemically shampoos/conditioners?

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Leelou

April 18, 2015

Would you please share the make and model number of your mini food processor? Thanks 🙂

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staci

April 17, 2015

Both your links go to Redmond Clay, so there’s no recommended brand for bentonite clay…recommended brand?

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Roxi

March 31, 2015

Wonderful recipe… but my hair is so greasy you could fry an egg on it afterwards…

I tried this recipe for the first time last week & followed the instructions carefully, leaving on for around 15-20 minutes the first time. As soon as I rinsed I could tell the difference to the feel of my hair, never before have the ends felt so nourished. Unfortunately after drying my hair with a hairdryer I realised my hair was even more greasy at the roots than when I got into the shower; I have never known anything like it before. I did rinse thoroughly but it was unbearable.

The next time I used an ACV rinse & wondered if my hair may have adjusted slightly since the first attempt – no, still just as greasy.

I can’t explain the level of grease on my roots like nothing you have seen before except if I brushed oil through my hair – even home made dry shampoo cannot touch this level of stickiness.

I love love love it… but I can’t handle this level of grease at all – and my hair wasn’t terribly greasy before this whilst using a deep sea mud shampoo… Do you have any hints or tips as to what I might be doing wrong?

I did use filtered water.

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1. Staci
  
  May 9, 2015
  
  Could you have overdone the essential oils? I skipped them altogether and I get wonderful soft clean hair.
  
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Marina

March 16, 2015

I made mine with a little less than 1 T. clay, 4 oz filtered water and 4 oz. aloe vera gel. I shook the mixture up in a plastic dispenser type bottle and used the entire amount to rub into my scalp and spread through my hair, waited 5 minutes and rinsed it out for quite a while. My final rinse was a tea made from hibiscus flowers which is conditioning and brings out the red in my hair. I love the results and for once my scalp isn’t itchy. My hair is soooo clean. Now I’ll try the leave-in conditioner I made. This has given me new hope. The medicated and organic stuff have all just made things worse, so this and the soap-nuts shampoo is my last hope.

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1. Jenny Sigurgeirsdóttir
  
  October 16, 2015
  
  Hi
  What is in your leave in conditoner?
  
  Reply
Mona

March 5, 2015

Wish I had read the comments first. Mine is watery and I doubt I have enough clay left to make it like yogurt. Think I will put it in squeeze bottle and try that.

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Morgan

March 1, 2015

I am just switching over to going to nopoo and I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong or if I’m still in the transitioning period…but my hair feels chalky and a little greasy. I’ve been washing it every other day with the recepie provided for the past week and the chalky feeling isn’t going away. I spend a good 5-10mins alone rinsing out of my hair to make sure that I’m getting it all out. Has anyone else experienced this? It looks clean but I just don’t like how it’s feeling right now.

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1. Araceli
  
  March 6, 2015
  
  I’ve found that hard water makes it chalky feeling. Clumpy, too if you try to make it with regular sink water, so it could be that. I made mine the other day with only apple cider vinegar and no water. The consistency was beautiful! Like thick, smooth Greek yogurt. It rinsed out much easier, give it a try.
  
  Reply
Chelsea

February 25, 2015

Hi Katie,

I typically shampoo my hair 2-3x per week (but I’m trying to cut down to only 1-2x per week). Could I use this to replace my regular shampoo, or is this something that should only be used once a week or on occasion? I’m worried that the Bentonite clay could be too drying if I use it multiple times a week. Do you use it regularly? This recipe looks great, though! I’ve tried no poo and it didn’t work for me, and the coconut shampoo recipe didn’t either. I’m really excited to try this!

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  March 1, 2015
  
  You could, but I would find it too much for my hair. The issue you pointed out is a good one. Maybe once a month is better…
  
  Reply
christi

February 21, 2015

I’m surprised nobody realized that clay, while feeling soft to the touch , is an abrasive and long term use will damage the hair just like baking soda.

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1. Araceli
  
  February 24, 2015
  
  I think it would be safe if used only 2-3 times a week with days of no washing in between and regular oil treatments. This is the only thing that has ever worked for me, so please don’t bash it until you try it. Even if you think it’s not good for frequent use, it’s still a good recipe to use every once in a while.
  
  Reply
Amber Rabbitt

February 19, 2015

is this safe while breastfeeding??

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Araceli

February 17, 2015

If I could, I would hug you!!!! This clay shampoo has absolutely saved my hair!!! I have ALWAYS had bad dandruff with no luck from any shampoos I’ve ever tried throughout my lifetime. My mother broke the bank trying to buy me different things when I was younger, tar shampoos, head and shoulders… NOTHING WORKED. I had finally settled on clinical strength head and shoulders which sort of reduced it, but never got rid of it. When I started using all natural products a few years back I didn’t want to use my head and shoulders anymore (the smell isn’t pleasant either). I have been struggling with finding a shampoo ever since. I started using this clay shampoo two weeks ago (with rosemary water, lavender and peppermint EOs) and I have not seen one flake!!! No more dandruff for me!!!! It also gives my hair amazing shine and volume <3 I will never, ever, EVER use another shampoo!!! Thank you Wellness Mama!!!!! 😀

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  February 17, 2015
  
  I am so glad you loved it!!
  
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2. Janet Munt
  
  February 20, 2015
  
  The best thing ever for dandruff is to rub organic Virgin coconut oil into scalp I do it just before I go to bed, put a towel over my pillow, sleep with it on then just shampoo it out in the morning, as its a light oil it washes out easily.
  
  Reply
  1. Araceli
    
    February 20, 2015
    
    Thanks I’ll try it. I usually have oily dandruff, but you never know! If it doesn’t work I can always wash it again with clay.
    
    Reply
Megan

February 12, 2015

I’ve been using morrocco method shampoos and rinsing with ACV for a few months now and my hair is still very dry and very oily. Even after I wash my hair, I’m using dry shampoo (corn flour) to make it look presentable and its getting frustrating. I still think the MM products are great, however. I hear it can take a while to detox but I don’t know. I’m keen to give this a go and see if it makes a difference. I’ve heard aloe vera is very good for hair, as well as the ingredients recommended here. Thanks for the idea.

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Becky

February 10, 2015

I wanted this to work for me, but alas, no cigar. For others having problems on here, it’s possible you made a mistake or your hair needs time to adjust, but it’s also possible this is just not the right fit for your hair type.
If you are desperately searching for another option to try, I recommend egg yolks. I know it sounds crazy and maybe a bit gross, but egg yolks make great shampoo. I have tried *many* no-poo concoctions out there (including the Katie’s coconut milk/castile soap recipe, which works great for a friend of mine) and all of them left my hair feeling off somehow. Egg yolks are an annoying solution because I have to mix up my shampoo before every shower, and it’s utterly useless while traveling, but they work SO WELL on my hair. I guess I should count myself lucky that I found a no-poo method that suits me, since so many others are still in the hunt. Anyway, don’t take my word for it; Google it, it’s the American way.

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