How to Wash Coconut Oil Out of Hair

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Coconut oil is a great natural hair treatment for strengthening the hair shaft, removing dandruff, and adding a healthy shine. However, because it is so thick and oily, it can be difficult to wash out with just water and shampoo. To get rid of the excess oil, try dry-hair solutions such as dry shampoo, cornstarch, or baby powder. You can also use leave-in treatments such as an egg wash, lemon juice, or baking soda. When you rinse them out, these solutions should take the coconut oil with them, leaving your hair clean and hydrated.

Things You Should Know

  • Apply dry shampoo to your roots and then comb through your hair. The dry shampoo helps absorb the coconut oil from your hair.
  • If the coconut oil isn’t completely gone, wash your hair with liquid shampoo.
  • Alternatively, mix the juice from 2 lemons with 8 oz (240 ml) of water. Pour the mixture on your scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with water.
Section 1 of 5:

Rinsing with Lemon Juice

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  1. Pour this mixture over your hair and scalp, wait a few minutes, and then rinse it out with warm water. The excess coconut oil should wash out with it. [1]
    • You can also add a few tablespoons of honey to the mixture to soften your hair. [2]
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Section 2 of 5:

Mix Aloe Vera Into Gel Shampoo

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  1. Work the mixture through your hair and scalp, into a lather. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then wash it out. The coconut oil should rinse out with the aloe and shampoo. [3]
Section 3 of 5:

Make a Baking Soda Paste

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  1. While your hair is dry, apply the paste to your roots and scalp. Focus on the oiliest areas, like the crown of the head. Once you’ve covered the oily areas, rinse out the paste with warm water. It should wash out easily and take the coconut oil with it. [4]
    • Don’t work this paste through the rest of your hair--focus only on your scalp.
    • The baking soda will bond with the coconut oil, but won’t stick too firmly to your hair.
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Section 4 of 5:

Use Egg Wash

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  1. Beat 2-3 eggs together in a bowl. Add 32 fluid ounces (950 ml) of water and mix together, forming an egg wash. Pour this egg wash over dry hair and rub it in. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wash it out with lukewarm water. The coconut oil should be gone by the time you finish rinsing. [5]
    • Do not use hot or even lukewarm water to rinse the egg wash out, because the heat will cook the eggs in your hair. To avoid the scrambled egg effect, make sure the water is cool. [6]
Section 5 of 5:

Using a No-Rinse Powder Solution

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  1. Whether in aerosol or powder form, dry shampoo is perfect for refreshing your hair and getting rid of the excess coconut oil.
    • For a more natural solution, you can also use cornstarch, baking soda, arrowroot powder, or baby powder. [7]
    • Avoid products with talc, which has been linked to extreme health issues. [8]
  2. When your hair is completely dry, sprinkle some powder around the crown of the head. Start with a small amount and add more as needed, up to 1 teaspoon. Focus on the roots, since this is where most of the oil will be.
    • Don’t add more than a teaspoon of dry shampoo because it will dry out the scalp.
  3. Keep combing until the powder blends into your hair and you achieve the level of shine you want. If you have darker hair, these lighter powders may leave a white residue or cast to your hair.
    • To get rid of this white cast, use a liquid shampoo to lather and rinse your hair.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I have to wash coconut oil out of my hair?
    Martin Nepton
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Martin Nepton is a Professional Hair Stylist and Colorist at Bang Bang LA in Los Angeles, California. With over 11 years of experience, Martin specializes in helping clients express their Queer identity through hair. Martin offers personalized haircuts and color and style services with non-gender prices based on hair length. Martin holds a BA from the University of Québec at Montréal and is a Licensed Hair Stylist in California.
    Martin Nepton
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Leaving coconut oil in your hair can make it oversaturated and cause your hair to break or snap.
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  • Question
    Can you wash your hair with coconut oil?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Coconut oil is a moisturizing and protecting ingredient. You may see it listed as one ingredient in a shampoo, but it is not cleansing.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Can you leave coconut oil in your hair all night?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can, but you should apply it to hair at least an inch away from the scalp so it doesn't clog the hair follicles.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • Always rinse with water that’s at least lukewarm (unless using an egg wash). Cold water causes coconut oil to solidify and harden in your hair, making it much more difficult to rinse out. [9]
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      • You can also use a clarifying shampoo, which is designed to strip oil from the hair.
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      • Remember that with coconut oil, a little bit goes a long way. Starting with a small amount and adding more if needed will make it much easier to wash out.
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      Warnings

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      Things You’ll Need

      • 2 lemons
      • 2-3 eggs
      • Baking soda
      • Dry shampoo
      • Cornstarch/baby powder/baking soda/arrowroot powder

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/coconut-oil-out-of-hair.html
      2. ↑ http://www.health.com/beauty/9-surprising-beauty-uses-of-raw-honey
      3. ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
      4. ↑ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/coconut-oil-out-of-hair.html
      5. ↑ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/coconut-oil-out-of-hair.html
      6. ↑ http://stayhealthyways.com/how-to-wash-coconut-oil-out-of-hair/
      7. ↑ https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/02/dry-shampoo-101.html
      8. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/baby-powder-lawsuit-johnsons-baby-powder-not-safe
      9. ↑ http://stayhealthyways.com/how-to-wash-coconut-oil-out-of-hair/
      1. ↑ Martin Nepton. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To wash coconut oil out of your hair, first combine the juice from 2 fresh lemons and 8 fluid ounces of water in a bowl. Then, pour the mixture over your hair and leave it in for a minute or 2. Once the mixture has soaked into your hair, wash it out with warm water to remove the oil. Alternatively, add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel to your normal shampoo. Rub the shampoo into your hair and let it sit. After 10 to 15 minutes, wash your shampoo out as you normally would. For tips on how to remove coconut oil with a baking soda paste, keep reading!

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