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

Yield:

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.

Sources

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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”

Maria Palompo

August 3, 2014

Hi Katie!

I just used the Sonne’s #7 Detoxificant in your remineralizing toothpaste recipe. Is this okay to use for this shampoo mud recipe as well?

Reply
Michelle

July 30, 2014

Hi,

Thanks so much for posting! I tried the no poo, then the sorta poo with coconut milk (to which my brother asked me if I still shower) and the shampoo bars. All of them “worked” in that they made my hair super shiny and I can already tell its growing longer – but it was just too oily and dirty looking! After a month I cant take it anymore. I tried this clay shampoo yesterday and it seems MUCH better! Is it safe for everyday use? I was my hair frequently

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 30, 2014
  
  I’m so glad you like it! It can be used regularly.
  
  Reply
Sarah

July 24, 2014

Any suggestions for a substitution for ACV? I absolutely CANNOT stand the smell of it…I know it’ll dissipate, but even that short amount of time drives me crazy! Otherwise, this was a wonder for my hair, which has been off recently!

Reply
1. Brooke
  
  September 20, 2014
  
  Sarah, I know that this is a really late reply to your comment and you’ve hopefully already found a solution, but I personally LOVE aloe vera juice for my hair. Like ACV, it’s acidic so it balances the higher pH of clay and smooths the hair cuticle, but without the horrible smell (or the greasiness I experienced with ACV).
  
  Reply
Jodi Rolph

July 24, 2014

Well I was struggling big time going no-poo for several weeks and trying to use soap nuts, but they just didn’t seem to remove what felt like waxy ‘crud’ off my hair. I put a comment asking for help under the soapnuts blog and Wellness Mama suggested I needed to detox my hair – so I used a version of this recipe (I had green and jasmine tea bags only, and made a half batch) and it was brilliant!

The clay recipe did get rid of the ‘crud’ off my hair, and yes, I have more volume (could have done without this as I have sooooo much hair already lol!).

I am very happy with the results so far, thanks Wellness Mama. Now I am not sure how I will go with the soapnuts from here, but I always have this as a fall back. Yay!

Cheers
Jodi

Reply
Sarah

July 23, 2014

Yay! Something new to try, with ingredients I already have at home! My hair went wonky about a month and a half ago…just randomly…and I’ve tried everything that has worked in the past…and it’s still weird. So excited to give this a try!

Reply
Sarah

June 13, 2014

I’ve been using a blender so far to make the clay mask but just recently I tried making the mask in a bowl with a wooden spoon. No matter much how I stirred the mask wouldn’t thicken and remained watery. Is there any other way to make the shampoo avoiding the use of a blender or any other machine?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  June 13, 2014
  
  Perhaps you could try a whisk? That might work to whip together the ingredients better than just a spoon.
  
  Reply
  1. Belle
    
    November 16, 2014
    
    Silicone coated wisk od course 😉
    
    Reply
Dorothy

June 9, 2014

Hi, is the nettle a bull nettle , like stinging nettle. We live in Texas and have that growing all around.

Reply
Renee

June 1, 2014

Hi, I just started to used bentonite clay masque, but I would like to know how can I use it for better results; meaning can I use it once a month? once a week? or twice or even more a week?

Reply
kari

May 31, 2014

I just want to say thank you for sharing this!!! I have tried soooooooo many diff recipes and even tried baking soda and acv. My hair and scalp hated all of them. This is the second time i have used this recipe and its by far the best one! I have fine,curly,frizzy hair. With all the other recipes my scalp was oily and ends were dry. It was a hot mess! So thank you:)

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Jennifer

April 30, 2014

I’ve spent the past 5 weeks exploring a lot of natural options. I decided on week two to be faithful to the coconut milk shampoo featured on this site, but after 3 weeks of the grease ball look (I teach middle school and I seriously was in the running with some of the least hygienic for oil production), I tried this route–and LOVE it. I have naturally fine, straight blonde hair that after this past winter has been incredibly dry and dull looking. The natural gold color is back and my hair feels clean, soft, and strong!

My only concern is static! I live in Denver where the air is very dry, but I have never had static hair (maybe it’s just never been this clean). I’ve tried to put oil on my ends by rubbing argan oil on my hands and brushing my hair with my fingers. The result is waxy oily ends that still have static power. Any suggestions?

Reply
1. Nicole
  
  May 23, 2014
  
  Hey Wellness Mama,
  
  First off I wanted to say thank you so much for having this blog. It has helped me so much on my path toward being healthy…and not just me, but also several of my friends!
  I wanted to share what personally has worked for me as a natural shampoo. First off, I am completely allergic to regular shampoo, and the back of my head used to be always broken out, and I’ve struggled with dandruff for years. Over the past year I have made it my mission to find an all natural shampoo for myself.
  After trying all the “natural” shampoos at the health food store (they just left my head irritated), I tried, no poo (which was a disaster), your Castille and coconut shampoo (which I loved, and really wanted to work for my hair, but my scalp is pretty picky), and then lastly I tried your Bentonite clay shampoo which was by far the best thing I have found.
  I have super fine, super oily hair naturally…and the Bentonite clay kind of dried my hair out and left me a little frizzy and coarse, but still oily too. It was way better than my other options though.
  My hair (when I was using commercial shampoos) used to be super super soft, and I really missed that factor.
  After doing some research, I found some herbs that can really help…this is a recipe that I threw together and it has worked wondefully for my hair. It is moisturized and soft but not too oily. I just wanted to share in case anyone else was having the same problem…. I know how frustrating it can be!
  
  1 cup distilled water
  4 Tbsp Bentonite clay
  1 or 2 Tbsp Hibiscus leaves (for moisture)
  1 Tbsp nettle leaf
  1 tsp slippery elm powder (this helps with tangles and frizz)
  1 Tbsp lemon juice (this helps make the ph of the mixture more acidic, and it really helped with how oily my hair was. Apple cider vinegar could probably be used, but my hair doesn’t really like apple cider vinegar, even though I hear other people have amazing results with it.:)
  
  Directions: Bring water to a boil in a pan. Add Hibiscus, and nettle leaf, and let steep for 5-10 min. Strain out the herbs. Add the slippery elm powder. Mix the Bentonite clay in one tbsp at a time until the mixture is smooth. Add the lemon juice.
  Let it cool before use. (And refrigerate or freeze if you’re going to store it for awhile!)
  
  Thank you, Wellness Mama! I really appreciate all you do. You have no idea how much you help people like me. I pretty much stalk your blog in my free time haha!
  
  – a 21 year old in Arkansas
  
  Reply
  1. Holly
    
    August 10, 2014
    
    Hey fellow Arkansan!
    You list Hibiscus “leaves” in your recipe. Do you mean flowers or leaves? I’ve never seen the leaves for sale but I use the flowers often. Thanks!
    
    Reply
    1. Becky
      
      March 20, 2015
      
      Holly, what do you use the Hibiscus flowers for?
      
      Reply
2. Green State Rx
  
  July 31, 2014
  
  Vinegar & Lavender essential oil rinse will help with the static…even here in CO 🙂
  
  Reply
Erin

April 19, 2014

I rarely post online but wanted to share my experience with Mamas mud poo. I have been a faithful Wen product user for years but still required weekly herbal treatments to fight off DHT – my hair is very fine, a bit thin on top and permed every 3-4 months. This poo was the answer for me. I started using every other wash, but my scalp and hair felt soooo much better on mud poo wash days that it is all I use now! I mix the recipe in a blender and get a silky smooth product with no clumping that easily rinses out. I do add a bit of honey for extra moisture along with other herbs that I have used for the last year to fight DHT hairloss (rosemary, nettle, saw palmetto, horsetail and gensing – and yes it has worked! Slow but I have lots of new hair growth!). I hope this helps others looking for alternatives.

Reply
Jo

April 12, 2014

Lovely. I have been using rhassoul clay on my hair which is fine but curly. The results are gorgeous, thick, curly and bouncy…not shiny but I like a beachy matt texture myself. I do still use low sulphate shampoo sometimes but the clay method is wonderful for volume and texture,. Good as a skin cleanser too…no nasty additives, OK it is messy but it all rinses away.

Reply
Jen A.

April 1, 2014

I just tried this and I love it! The first time I only left it on for about 5 minutes and my hair was really soft and healthy feeling without too much greasiness or residue. Then I decided to try adding some black walnut powder to darken the color a bit. I left this on for about 20 minutes with a shower cap. It darkened it very slightly (I already have pretty dark hair) and the texture was just as nice as the previous time I tried it. Then I made the mistake of applying some store-bought conditioner afterwards, and what a mistake! If I had just let it dry naturally it would have been fine. When I put the conditioner on my hair I could tell immediately that my hair was actually rejecting the product. Then it started producing so much oil it was disgusting. I’m going to do this again today and see if I can get it right. I have the remains of an old perm in my hair, so it’s only wavy on the ends and straight at the top, so this looks a little ridiculous if I don’t blow dry it all straight. My problem is trying to fix my hair without drying it out too much. If I don’t add product then it is too dry; if I do add product after the mud masque then it is too oily. Looking for that middle ground. I want to completely rid my house of chemical-laden products but it’s been a challenge…

Reply
1. Margaret
  
  February 11, 2016
  
  Jen A.
  depending on your hair type… have you tried wearing your hair in braids? if you put them in when wet it can crimp your hair (depending on type) so that it is all wavy when dried in the braid, or just a nice way to style the awkwardness of transition.
  using a boar bristle brush distributes hair oils naturally, but I’d go with adding a little argan or other gentle oil to your brush, like others have said. another trick is to just run your lightly oiled fingers through just the tips of your hair, so that the hydration of natural oils goes to where you need it most, to the damaged parts. I hope some of this helps!
  
  Reply
Selena

March 18, 2014

I am going to try this tomorrow. ..with just water because I don’t have everything to make the tea. I have curly thin hair, so thin you can see through to my scalp…it drives me crazy(I’m only 27!) Its also very oily. I’ve been trying to go a more all natural route hoping it will help. Here is my question…do you use a conditoner after this or just the acv rinse? Since my hair is curly I have problems with getting very tangly

Reply
Mel Stevens

February 15, 2014

Using the pro naturals hair repair sytem will help your hair get back to normal. I have been using it for a months and it has no split-ends anymore!

Reply
Cristina Petrut

January 4, 2014

Made it today. The recipe has way too much water and vinegar so I made a smaller portion, to use for 2 washes. I started with the coconut shampoo, which by itself leaves my hair greasy, but I continued with the clay and followed with a quick vinegar rinse. Wonderful results. Thank you! Great blog! I’m addicted.
I wish I could find a simpler regimen for my hubs. He’s still using Head and Shoulders:(

Reply
angel

December 10, 2013

I really would like a natural homemade remedy way to straighten my hair. my hair is thick coarse and dry and i have kinky hair. have you an idea?

Reply
1. kastrina
  
  December 25, 2013
  
  use lemon and salt and butter
  
  Reply
Deborrah Wall Cisneros

November 13, 2013

Oh my goodness this made my hair feel so soft and awesome! I had been using DIY shampoo (Dr. Bronners Soap, Jojoba Oil, Rosemary & Tea Tree essential Oils, rinsing with 1/2 ACV, 1/2 water) for almost 2 months and still my hair felt greasy (only washing twice a week). Thank you so much for sharing your DIY recipes for those of us who aren’t “home chemists.”

Reply
Stephanie

November 8, 2013

Are the proportions correct for this recipe? I just tried making a half batch of your recipe. I used 1/2c water, 1/4c ACV, and started adding green clay powder. First I added 4tbsp (1/4c)… then another 4tbs… then another… and finally I’ve dumped probably 1c clay into the mix and it’s not thickening up at all. This clay works, we use it all the time for face masks, but it’s not thickening this mix up at all and now I’ve wasted half my bottle. I’m using green clay powder rather than bentonite but I don’t see how that should affect the proportions.

Reply
1. Lorrie
  
  September 24, 2014
  
  I am having the same issue, I follow the recipe to the letter and it’s not thick at all. Any suggestions anyone??
  
  Reply
  1. Ginger
    
    January 1, 2015
    
    It’s been a while since I made this, but I think I used closer to a 1:1 ratio of vinegar/water to clay rather than 2:1 for the right texture. I used calcium bentonite clay. Other clays may have different properties.
    
    Reply
Herron

October 22, 2013

I just recently started using bentonite clay as my shampoo and it does give my hair more volume, but sort of leaves a waxy and greasy look. It’s not like normal grease, but I definitely look like a grease bucket. HELP!?! Love your blog by the way 🙂

Reply
1. Sarah
  
  November 3, 2013
  
  Hi Herron,
  If you don’t already- take Zinc it regulates sebaceous glands and keeps them from distributing to much oil to the hair and skin 🙂 (THORNE Zinc Picolinate) I take a truckload load cause I have a severe deficiency.. Anyhow my skin is smooth and clear and my hair is considerably less oily now…
  
  Katie thank you so much for your infinite wisdom and generosity in sharing xx
  
  Reply