Castor oil is often used as a natural treatment to help grow thicker, stronger hair. But getting this thick, sticky oil out of your hair after an application can be tricky.
Castor oil is not water soluble, so it doesn’t wash out easily with just water. Repeatedly applying castor oil without properly removing it can lead to a heavy, greasy buildup that weighs hair down.
So how do you adequately cleanse your hair after using castor oil? This comprehensive guide covers simple, effective ways to wash castor oil out of your hair without stripping or drying it out.
Why Castor Oil Builds Up
Castor oil is extracted from castor beans and is very thick and viscous compared to other carrier oils. It contains a high percentage of ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that penetrates the hair shaft and helps restore moisture.
But while these properties make castor oil an excellent treatment for dry, damaged hair, they also make it more difficult to fully rinse out. Castor oil tends to leave behind a residue that coats the hair.
Buildup happens more readily when:
- Too much castor oil is applied
- It’s not diluted with other oils
- It’s left on for longer periods of time
- It’s applied to unwashed or dirty hair
- It’s used too frequently without clarifying
Too much buildup can lead to limp, greasy hair that feels weighed down. It can also clog follicles and cause scalp irritation.
So it’s important to regularly clarify your hair after using castor oil.
10 Ways to Wash Castor Oil Out of Hair
Here are 10 simple, effective methods to remove castor oil residue from your hair:
1. Shampoo with Warm Water
Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and warm water. The warm temperature helps open up the hair cuticle to release trapped oils and dirt.
Massage the shampoo gently but thoroughly into your scalp and lengths to dissolve oil buildup. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Avoid using hot water as this can dry out your hair. Stick to lukewarm or warm.
2. Repeat Shampooing
If your hair still feels oily after the first wash, lather up and shampoo again. The second wash helps lift away any remaining oil residue.
However, avoid shampooing more than 2-3 times in a row as this can strip the hair’s natural oils.
3. Use Clarifying Shampoo
For a deep clean, use a clarifying shampoo containing sulfates. Sulfates are effective at cutting through oil, dirt, product buildup, and hard water mineral deposits.
Clarify once a week if you are using castor oil regularly. Dilute the clarifying shampoo with a little conditioner so it’s not too harsh.
4. Try an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar dissolves oil, minerals, and buildup. Add 1 part apple cider vinegar to 1-2 parts water and rinse your hair with it after shampooing.
For extra oil removal power, apply the rinse before shampooing as well.
5. Use a Baking Soda Treatment
Make a paste with 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1-2 tablespoons water. Apply it to dry hair, wait 2 minutes, then rinse. Baking soda acts as a gentle cleanser to lift away oils and residue without stripping your hair.
Be careful not to overuse baking soda as it can dry out your hair overtime.
6. Apply Dish Soap
Work a small amount of dish soap into your hair and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing. The detergents in dish soap are formulated to cut through grease, making it very effective at removing oils.
However, dish soap can be quite harsh so limit this method to once a month.
7. Try Dry Shampoo
Spray dry shampoo at your roots to instantly absorb excess oils and grease. Let it sit a few minutes before brushing out. It soaks up castor oil residue without water.
Use a dry shampoo made for dark hair if needed to avoid white powdery residue.
8. Mix Up a DIY Hair Cleansing Cream
Whip up this natural hair cleansing cream to gently wash away product buildup:
- 1⁄2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp liquid castile soap
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
Mix the ingredients into a creamy, spreadable texture. Apply to dry hair in sections and rinse thoroughly.
9. Use a Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Before your regular shampoo, apply something to help lift and dissolve oil buildup. Try an egg, aloe vera gel, or coconut oil – the fatty acids in these ingredients bind to oils to whisk them away.
10. Switch Up How You Apply Castor Oil
To prevent excessive buildup, use these tips when applying castor oil:
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Only use a small amount – start with a dime sized amount, adding more if needed.
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Dilute it with lighter oils like jojoba, grapeseed or avocado oil.
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Apply to freshly washed damp hair instead of dirty hair.
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Focus on mid-lengths and ends instead of roots.
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Limit castor oil use to 1-2 times per week maximum.
Mistakes to Avoid
When trying to remove castor oil from your hair, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid:
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Using very hot water, which can dry out your hair and lead to damage.
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Over-shampooing, which can cause your hair to become brittle and stripped of moisture.
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Skipping conditioner after shampooing, which can leave hair feeling parched.
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Using too many harsh ingredients like baking soda and vinegar too often, which can disrupt your hair’s pH balance.
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Neglecting to dilute clarifying shampoos or rinses like ACV, which can be overly drying used alone.
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Not taking the time to evenly distribute cleansing products and thoroughly rinse them out.
Maintain Soft, Shiny Hair
Castor oil offers many benefits for hair health when used properly and washed out effectively. Alternate it with other nourishing oils like coconut, olive, or almond to provide your hair and scalp with a variety of vitamins and fatty acids.
Clarify your hair weekly to prevent product buildup. And don’t forget deep conditioning treatments to keep your strands touchably soft, smooth and shiny.
With the right cleansing techniques, you can enjoy all the advantages of castor oil without greasy, limp hair. Follow these tips for wash day success!