Borax has long been discussed on Earth Clinic as an unconventional hair-washing remedy for oily hair, product buildup, hard-water residue, and hair that feels weighed down by commercial shampoos and conditioners. Some people use a simple borax hair wash, while others combine diluted borax water with a small amount of liquid castile soap and follow with an acidic rinse.
The experiences below come from Earth Clinic community posts describing borax shampoo methods used for many years. Borax is alkaline and should be diluted carefully, kept out of the eyes, and rinsed thoroughly. It is not suitable for every scalp or hair type, but when used cautiously, some people report softer hair, less oiliness, fewer tangles, and better manageability.
At a Glance
Best suited for: oily hair, product buildup, hard-water residue, and hair that feels heavy or coated.
Most common method: dissolve borax in hot water, let undissolved crystals settle, apply the clear liquid to wet hair, scrub gently, and rinse very well.
Helpful follow-up rinse: a mild citric acid rinse or apple cider vinegar rinse may help restore softness after an alkaline wash.
Texture expectation: borax water has little to no scent and does not lather unless castile soap is added.
Use caution: borax can irritate the scalp, eyes, and skin if too strong or poorly rinsed.
Not for: children, broken or inflamed scalp, very dry or brittle hair, or anyone sensitive to alkaline cleansers.
What Is Borax Shampoo?
Borax shampoo is not a conventional shampoo. It is usually a diluted solution of borax dissolved in hot water and poured through the hair as a cleansing rinse. Some people use borax water alone, while others add a small amount of liquid castile soap to create more of a shampoo-like wash.
Borax is alkaline. This means it can help loosen oil, residue, and buildup, but it can also leave hair rough, tangled, or dry if the mixture is too strong, used too often, or not followed by a balancing rinse.
Start With a Diluted Solution
Hair type, scalp sensitivity, and water quality can affect results. Begin with a mild borax dilution and adjust only if needed. If hair becomes excessively dry, brittle, or difficult to manage, reduce the concentration or discontinue use.
Why People Use Borax for Hair
Earth Clinic posts describe borax hair washing as especially helpful for people who struggle with oily hair, residue from hair products, or hair that does not feel clean after regular shampoo.
Less Oiliness
Some people with very oily hair report that borax helps the scalp and hair feel cleaner for longer.
Less Buildup
Borax may help remove product residue, hard-water minerals, and waxy coating from commercial shampoos or conditioners.
Softer Hair
When followed by an acidic rinse, some users describe softer, more manageable hair with fewer tangles.
Fewer Reactions
A few people report fewer sensitivities compared with commercial shampoo fragrances, detergents, or preservatives.
What to Expect: Smell, Lather, and Texture
Borax water does not behave like regular shampoo. It has little to no scent and does not foam or lather. This can feel strange at first if you are used to commercial shampoo bubbles.
Without castile soap, the wash feels more like pouring mineral water through the hair than shampooing. The cleansing effect comes from repeated application, gentle scalp massage, and thorough rinsing rather than foam.
If a small amount of liquid castile soap is added, the mixture may feel more familiar and may create a light lather. However, too much soap can leave residue, especially in hard water.
Basic Borax Hair Wash Recipe
This is a simple starting point for people who want to try washing hair with borax. Always begin with a weaker dilution before experimenting with stronger mixtures.
Gentle Borax Hair Wash
1 tablespoon borax
2 cups hot water
Directions: Dissolve the borax in hot water and allow any undissolved crystals to settle. Pour only the clear liquid into a plastic squeeze applicator bottle. Wet the hair first, apply the borax water to the scalp and hair, massage gently, and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Because hair type, water hardness, oil production, and product buildup vary, there is no single dilution that works for everyone. If hair feels rough, stiff, or tangled afterward, the solution may be too strong, the hair may need an acidic rinse, or borax may not be a good fit.
Borax and Castile Soap Method
One long-time Earth Clinic contributor described using borax since the late 1990s with a diluted borax base and a small amount of liquid castile soap added to a separate applicator bottle.
Borax-Castile Shampoo Base
1/2 cup borax
1 gallon hot water
Small amount of liquid castile soap, added only to the portion used for washing
Directions: Dissolve 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon of hot water and shake well. Pour some of this borax water into an applicator bottle and add a small amount of liquid castile soap. Wash twice, rinse twice with plain water, then follow with a mild citric acid rinse. Finish with a final plain-water rinse.
This method is more involved than a basic borax rinse but may be useful for those who want light cleansing from castile soap while still using borax water as the main wash.
Stronger Method for Very Oily Hair
Very oily hair or heavy buildup may not respond well to a weak borax solution at first. One contributor with very oily hair reported that a weak mixture left the hair clumped together, almost like dreadlocks. After experimenting, she found that a stronger borax solution and repeated applications worked better for her hair and water conditions.
Stronger Borax Wash for Oily Hair
1/4 to 1/2 cup borax
8 cups hot water
Directions: Stir the borax into hot water and allow crystals to settle on the bottom. Wet the hair. Pour the clear liquid over the scalp and hair, scrub gently, then repeat several times without rinsing between applications. After several passes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
This stronger method may be too drying or irritating for some people. It is best reserved for oily hair, heavy buildup, or hard-water conditions, and it should not be used on a sensitive scalp.
How to Mix and Store Borax Shampoo Safely
Borax dissolves best in hot water. After mixing, let the solution sit so any undissolved crystals settle at the bottom. Pour only the clear liquid into your applicator bottle.
A larger batch, such as a gallon of borax water, can be kept in a sealed container and used as needed. Store it in a cool place, keep the cap closed, and avoid dipping fingers or unclean tools into the container.
If the solution becomes cloudy, contaminated, develops an odor, or has debris in it, discard it and mix a fresh batch. Shake or stir before pouring, but avoid applying gritty sediment to the scalp.
Useful Tools
Plastic squeeze applicator bottle: helps direct the solution to the scalp while avoiding the eyes.
Distilled water: helpful if hard water leaves hair sticky, dull, or coated.
Powdered citric acid: useful for making a mild acidic rinse after borax washing.
Wide-tooth comb: helps gently detangle after rinsing and conditioning.
Why an Acid Rinse Helps
Because borax is alkaline, an acidic rinse can help hair feel smoother afterward. Without this step, some people find that their hair feels stiff, rough, or difficult to comb.
Citric Acid Rinse
Mix 1 teaspoon citric acid in 1 quart of water. Pour through the hair after rinsing out the borax wash. Follow with a final plain-water rinse.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water. Apply after the borax wash, then rinse lightly or thoroughly depending on hair texture.
The citric acid method was specifically mentioned in one of the borax shampoo posts and was credited with leaving the hair soft and free of tangles. Apple cider vinegar is another common acidic rinse, though it may leave a scent if used too strongly.
Why Borax Can Leave Hair Rough or Tangled
One of the most common first-time problems with borax hair washing is rough, clumped, sticky, or tangled hair. This does not always mean borax has failed. It often means the wash needs to be adjusted.
Possible causes include heavy product buildup, oily hair that needs more than one pass, undissolved crystals, hard-water minerals, or skipping the acidic rinse. Because borax is alkaline, hair may feel raised or rough until it is rinsed thoroughly and balanced with a mild acidic rinse.
If hair becomes brittle, dry, frizzy, or starts breaking, stop using borax and return to a gentler hair-care routine.
Borax for Hair Growth: What to Know
Many people search for borax for hair growth, but borax is best understood as a cleansing and buildup-removal method rather than a proven hair-growth treatment. Some people may notice less shedding when the scalp is less irritated, less oily, or less coated with residue. That does not mean borax directly stimulates new hair growth.
One community contributor with very oily hair reported that hair fallout decreased dramatically after switching to borax hair washing. This is an individual experience, not proof that borax treats hair loss.
If hair loss is sudden, patchy, worsening, or accompanied by scalp pain, scaling, sores, thyroid symptoms, anemia, hormonal changes, or medication changes, medical evaluation is important. Borax should not be relied on as a treatment for unexplained hair loss.
Hard Water and Buildup Tips
Several borax hair-washing experiences mention water quality. Hard water, lake water, minerals, fluoride, and shower residue can all affect how hair responds to natural washing methods.
Helpful Adjustments
Use distilled water for the borax solution if tap water leaves the hair dull, sticky, or coated.
Let crystals settle before applying the liquid to hair.
Clarify first if the hair has heavy silicone, wax, oil, dry shampoo, or styling-product buildup.
Use an acid rinse after borax to improve softness and combability.
Reduce frequency if hair becomes dry, brittle, frizzy, or difficult to detangle.
Some people do a one-time clarifying wash before beginning borax shampoo. However, harsh detergents such as dish soap can be very drying and may irritate the scalp. A clarifying shampoo is usually a gentler option.
Borax vs. Baking Soda for Hair
Borax and baking soda are both alkaline powders used in some natural hair-washing routines. Baking soda is more widely known in “no-poo” hair care, often followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Some people who find baking soda too drying experiment with borax instead. Others prefer baking soda because it is familiar and easy to find. Results vary depending on hair texture, scalp oil production, water quality, and how often the wash is used.
Neither borax nor baking soda is ideal for every scalp. Both can be drying or irritating if used too strong or too often. An acidic rinse is commonly used after either method to help the hair feel smoother.
Safety Precautions
Borax can be irritating when used too strong or too often. It should be treated as a household mineral cleanser, not a cosmetic ingredient designed for daily scalp use.
Do Not Use Borax Shampoo If:
Your scalp is broken, burned, inflamed, infected, or freshly scratched.
You have eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or scalp sores unless approved by a healthcare professional.
Your hair is extremely dry, fragile, bleached, overprocessed, or breaking.
You are washing a child’s hair.
You cannot keep the solution completely away from the eyes.
Patch Test First
Before using borax on the whole scalp, test a small diluted amount behind the ear or at the nape of the neck. Wait 24 hours. Do not proceed if there is redness, itching, burning, tenderness, rash, or flaking.
Avoid the Eyes
Borax water can sting and irritate the eyes. Apply with a squeeze bottle while leaning back or forward in a controlled way. Rinse immediately with plenty of clean water if any gets into the eyes.
Use Caution With Color-Treated Hair
Experiences vary. One contributor reported that hair dye lasted longer after switching to borax, while others may find that alkaline washing affects color, henna, toner, highlights, or chemically treated hair. Test on a small hidden section first.
Do Not Overuse
Daily borax washing may be too much for many hair types. Oily hair may tolerate it better than dry or color-treated hair, but it is wise to start occasionally and adjust based on scalp and hair response.
Troubleshooting Borax Hair Wash Problems
If your first borax hair wash does not go perfectly, use the guide below to adjust the routine.
Hair Feels Like Straw
Likely cause: the mixture was too alkaline for your hair, the rinse was incomplete, or the acid rinse was skipped.
Try this: use a weaker borax dilution, rinse longer, and follow with a mild citric acid or apple cider vinegar rinse.
Scalp Feels Gritty
Likely cause: undissolved borax crystals reached the scalp.
Try this: mix with hotter water, let the crystals settle, and pour only the clear liquid into your applicator bottle.
Hair Feels Sticky or Gummy
Likely cause: hard water minerals, product buildup, or too much castile soap.
Try this: make the borax solution with distilled water, reduce the soap, and use a mild acidic rinse after washing.
Hair Still Looks Oily
Likely cause: heavy oil or buildup was not fully loosened.
Try this: repeat the application several times before rinsing, or clarify the hair gently before starting borax washing.
Scalp Burns or Itches
Likely cause: irritation from the alkaline solution or a scalp sensitivity.
Try this: stop using borax immediately and rinse well with plain water. Do not retry on an irritated scalp.
Hair Becomes Too Dry
Likely cause: the wash is too strong or too frequent for your hair type.
Try this: use borax less often, dilute it more, or reserve it for occasional buildup removal only.
Community Experiences
Soft Hair With No Tangles
Diane from Florida described using 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon of hot water, then adding a small amount of liquid castile soap to the portion used for shampooing. Her routine included washing twice, rinsing twice, using a citric acid rinse, and finishing with plain water. She reported soft, manageable hair with no tangles.
Oily Hair and Heavy Buildup
Tx Kel from Texas reported very oily hair and found that a weak borax solution did not clean well at first. A stronger mixture, repeated applications, and thorough warm-water rinsing worked better for her. She reported less oily hair, fewer sensitivities, reduced shedding, and better dye retention.
Water Quality Matters
Follow-up comments suggested that tap water quality may affect results. Some people prefer distilled water or filtered shower water when using borax or other natural hair-washing methods.
Guava Leaf Rinse Mentioned
One contributor from the Philippines suggested a water extract of guava leaves as a temporary smoothing rinse for wavy hair. This is a separate traditional hair rinse, not a borax method.
How to Start Safely
Clarify gently first if the hair has heavy product buildup.
Begin with a weak borax dilution rather than the strongest community recipe.
Use an applicator bottle to control where the solution goes.
Massage lightly rather than scrubbing aggressively.
Rinse very thoroughly with warm water.
Follow with a citric acid or vinegar rinse if the hair feels rough or tangled.
Stop if irritation occurs or if hair becomes brittle, dry, or difficult to comb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my hair with borax?
Some people do use diluted borax water as a hair wash, especially for oily hair or buildup. It must be diluted, kept away from the eyes, and rinsed thoroughly. It is not suitable for everyone.
How do you use borax for hair washing?
Dissolve borax in hot water, let undissolved crystals settle, apply the clear liquid to wet hair, massage gently, and rinse well. Many people follow with a mild citric acid or vinegar rinse to restore softness.
Will 20 Mule Team Borax work for this recipe?
Yes. Most community members discussing borax hair washing are referring to 20 Mule Team Borax, the common household borax powder sold as a laundry booster. Use plain borax only, without added fragrance, detergent, or other cleaning additives.
Can I use boric acid instead of borax for my hair?
No. Borax and boric acid are not the same thing. Borax is sodium tetraborate, while boric acid is a different compound used for different purposes. Do not substitute boric acid in borax shampoo recipes.
Does borax help hair growth?
Borax is not a proven hair-growth remedy. It may help some people by reducing oil or buildup, which can make the scalp feel cleaner, but it should not be considered a treatment for medical hair loss.
Why did borax make my hair clump together?
Hair may clump if there is heavy oil, silicone, wax, mineral buildup, or if the solution does not rinse cleanly. Hard water can also affect results. A gentle clarifying wash and acidic rinse may help, but clumping is a sign to proceed cautiously.
Do I need a citric acid rinse after borax?
Many people find it helpful. Borax is alkaline, and a mild acidic rinse can leave hair smoother and easier to comb. One community method uses 1 teaspoon citric acid in 1 quart of water, followed by a final plain-water rinse.
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of citric acid?
Yes, many natural hair-washing routines use diluted apple cider vinegar as the acidic rinse. Start weak, such as 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water, and adjust only if your hair tolerates it well.
Can I use borax shampoo every day?
Daily use may be too drying or irritating for many people. Oily hair may tolerate it better than dry or color-treated hair, but it is wise to start occasionally and adjust based on scalp and hair response.
Can borax damage hair?
Yes, it can if used too strong, too often, or without adequate rinsing. Signs that borax is not working well include dryness, brittleness, frizz, scalp irritation, burning, increased shedding, or breakage.
Is borax safe for color-treated hair?
Results vary. Some people report better color retention, while others may find that alkaline washing affects dye, toner, highlights, or henna. Test a small hidden section before using it on all hair.
Can borax help dandruff, scalp fungus, or seborrheic dermatitis?
This article focuses on borax as a hair-washing method for oiliness and buildup because those are the uses described in the community posts above. Do not apply borax to an inflamed, broken, painful, or medically diagnosed scalp condition unless a qualified healthcare professional approves it.
Can borax be used for head lice?
Borax should not be used as a head lice treatment. Head lice require appropriate lice-removal methods, careful combing, and treatment guidance that is safe for the scalp, especially for children.
Bottom Line
Borax shampoo is a traditional Earth Clinic-style remedy that may help oily hair, buildup, and hard-water residue when used carefully. The most successful methods use diluted borax water, thorough rinsing, and often a mild acidic rinse afterward.
Start weak, patch test first, avoid the eyes, and stop immediately if the scalp or hair reacts poorly. Borax is best viewed as an occasional or experimental cleansing method, not a universal shampoo replacement or a medical treatment for scalp disease or hair loss.
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
I've been using Borax the following way since the late 90's and love it!
1/2 cup Borax in 1 gallon hot water and shake well.
Separate part of this into a bottle applicator and add whatever small amount of Castile liquid desired for shampooing. Wash twice, rinse twice with water, then thoroughly with 1 tsp citric acid in 1 quart of water. After that do a final rinse with just water. NO TANGLES EVER...only soft manageable hair!
try water extract of guava leaves, pour it in your hair, leave for 5 to 10 minutes before washing with plain water. The extracts straighten the wavy hair temporarily. No tangle.
Posted by Tx Kel (Frisco, Tx, Usa) on 05/14/2013 ★★★★★
There are lots of posts on using Borax as Shampoo. I had to try it but I had some problems no one seemed to mention. My final review is I LOVE IT and will never go back to regular shampoo.
I have very oily hair and shampoo daily or I look like I dumped grease on my head. I mixed up a few spoons of Mule Borax in a 4 cup bowl and poured it on my head then rinsed. I looked like I had dreadlocks!!! My hair all clumped together and looked horrible. The Borax couldn't clean my hair. I had too much buildup. So I used a bit of dish soap for my next shampoo to strip my hair and also a higher concentration of Borax.
I kept trying it and figured out that with our water (TX gets its water from lakes so its got lots of stuff in it) and my oily condition I had to do the following : at least 1/4 -1/2 cup or more of Borax in 8 cups of hot water. Stir and wait for crystals to settle to the bottom. Wet hair with water and pour, scrub, pour scrub, etc at least 4 times with no rinsing between. Then rinse hair in fairly hot water. That's it. My best guess is that it takes a very strong concentration to loosen the dirt / oil and repeating the scrubbing / washing helps loosen it all from the hair shaft. Then the hot water helps to remove it all.
The whole process is actually faster than when I would shampoo. I will admit about once a week or two I do use regular shampoo to strip any excess oil that seems to build up. I also do a heavy conditioning treatment at that time. Otherwise I don't need any conditioner on a daily bases which is amazing because my hair is long and tangles easily.
To anyone trying Borax I suggest really stripping your hair first of all the buildup. Use dish soap to wash first, then do the Borax wash. Then just use Borax every time you wash thereafter. Then you won't have the dreadlock look the first time. You need to make the Borax water as strong as needed for your hair and your water.
Benefits: less oily hair, no reaction or sensitivity, hair fallout has decreased dramatically, hair dye sticks to hair much better and stays much longer with less fading!!
Additional benefit: it runs over face and my redness has decreased along with decrease in pore size and overall face coloring has evened out. Wonderful side benefit. I wrote another post about how well this works for your face!!
Hi,I read somewhere that TX has the highest level of fluoride in their tap water so you might want to consider using distilled water for your shampoo... I filter my water in the shower to remove most metals and fluoride, but I will try your shampoo advice, borax does make my hair soft and silky, also I color my hair with rainbow henna, stopped using commercial dyes 2 years ago and has dramatically changed my hair texture.
Borax reacts with fluoride ions to form boron fluorides which protects your body (in and out) from the negative effects of Fluoride. This compound prevents your body from absorbing the fluouride. helpful resource:.www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm
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