5 Home Remedies to Banish Smelly Hair

Smelly hair can play havoc with your social life. This embarrassing condition does not always arise from unhygienic habits, contrary to what most people think. Nevertheless, the condition does not require medical intervention unless the symptoms persist or become worse.

Causes

Scalp odor is caused by various factors:

• Washing hair infrequently
• Chemically treating hair (perming, relaxing, or coloring)
• Sweating heavily, either due to physical activity, genetic reasons, or nervousness
• Infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or yeast

Treatment at home

If you do not want to add more potentially toxic chemicals to your hair and scalp, you can try some of these home remedies. Every person's body chemistry is different, so a remedy that works well with someone may not have the desired effect for you. Try a few of these remedies to see which one produces the results you need. 

Remember, consistency is key to the success of home remedies.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties and gives a good dose of vitamins and minerals to your hair and scalp.

• Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar with two cups of distilled water. 
• To this mixture, add a few drops of your preferred essential oil.
• Sprinkle this mixture all over your hair and allow it to soak in for five minutes.
• Next, rinse your hair with cold water.

A simpler technique is to mix half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and apply it to your hair. After allowing it to remain for a minute, wash it out with cold water.

These remedies should be used twice a week. 

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it perfect for fighting microbes that cause scalp odor. However, if you have an oily scalp, then tea tree oil is not advisable because it has hydrating properties as well. 

• Add one tablespoon of tea tree oil in one cup of water. 
• Apply the mixture to your scalp, keeping it for 20-30 minutes.
• Shampoo your hair as usual.

You can also add 2 drops of tea tree oil to every ounce of shampoo that you use.

Repeat the procedure once every week.

3. Baking Soda

Known to control excess scalp oil and remove odor, baking soda is commonly used to fight smelly hair.

• Make a paste of one part baking soda and three parts water.
• Apply the paste to damp hair and scalp.
• After five minutes, wash your head with cold water.

This method should be employed once a week.

4. Orange peel 

Orange peels control excessive oiliness and dandruff. They add a pleasant smell to hair.

• Create an infusion of orange peel in apple cider vinegar by storing it in a jar for two weeks. 
• Sprinkle two tablespoons of the mixture on hair and let it stay for five minutes.
• Wash out the mixture from your hair using cold water.

You can also apply two tablespoons of orange juice to your scalp and let it stay for five minutes. As usual, rinse your hair with cold water to wash out the juice.

These remedies can be used one-two times a week. 

5. Aloe vera 

Aloe vera gel soothes and cools the scalp and helps fight infections. Thus, it removes one of the root causes of smelly hair. Do not use gel that has been directly extracted from the leaf, as it may contain other substances that may be harmful to the scalp. It is safer to use processed aloe vera gel available in the market.

• Apply aloe vera gel or juice to the scalp and let it remain for 10 -15 minutes.
• Wash hair with cold water to remove any traces of aloe vera.

Another method is to mix half a tablespoon of aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of lemon juice to your regular shampoo. 

Aloe vera should be applied once a week for best results.

Experiment with these home remedies and discover which one works best for you. Step out in style!