Home Remedies for Hair Product Buildup

Hair product buildup can be caused by too much hair product use or inadequate cleansing. The buildup prevents hair’s natural oils and nutrients from reaching hair strands, resulting in hair that is dull, greasy, limp or dry. Hair might also become difficult to style and your scalp can become itchy and flaky. You can use natural and readily accessible ingredients to get rid of hair product buildup.

Neglecting to cleanse and rinse hair thoroughly enough can cause product buildup. "Fitness" magazine suggests using a quarter-size drop of shampoo on your hair every two to three days. This cleans away product buildup along with dirt an oil. Massage the shampoo into your hair and scalp using circular motions and slight pressure. Rinse the shampoo out completely.

White distilled vinegar removes residue from hair and seals the hair cuticle, helping to prevent future buildup. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water, and apply the mixture to your hair after conditioning. Rinse thoroughly. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. The alpha hydroxy acids in apple cider vinegar help dissolve deposits left on hair. Eggs pull oil and dirt from hair while shrinking and closing the hair cuticle. Whip one egg into a cup of warm water and lather the mixture into your hair after washing it. Rinse it out with cool water.

Baking soda and Epsom salts are both natural hair cleansers and clarifiers. Make a thin paste by mixing 1/4 cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Use a comb to work the mixture thoroughly through your wet hair before shampooing. After it sits for five minutes, rinse it out and proceed with your normal shampoo and conditioner routine. You can also mix 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts with 3 tablespoons of your regular conditioner. Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds so it's lukewarm. Work it through your hair and cover your hair with a plastic cap for 20 minutes. Rinse it out thoroughly.