You have probably tried applying coconut oil to your hair with hopes of fixing whatever damage that this miracle oil could fix.
But now, you are stuck in your bathroom, not knowing what to do with your greasy, oil-laden hair.
Lucky enough, you found just the right website that will help you efficiently strip out the grease from your hair.
As you scroll further, you will learn about:
- the reasons why you need to wash coconut oil out of your hair
- the different methods of removing coconut oil from your hair
- the different ways to make sure that coconut oil does not clog your drain
Can you leave coconut oil in your hair for days?
It is not advisable to leave coconut oil in your hair for days.
If coconut oil stays in your hair for too long, it will cause a buildup of oil on your hair and scalp, leading to dandruff or, worse, scalp infection.
To maximize the benefits of coconut oil on hair, a good three to four hours will suffice. Others prefer to leave it overnight and then rinse it off in the morning.
To prevent oil buildup, it is very important to thoroughly cleanse your hair after applying coconut oil.
CHECK OUT: What Does Coconut Oil Do For Your Hair
Do you have to wash coconut oil out of hair?
Yes, you have to wash coconut oil out of your hair.
Although coconut oil is mostly harmless since it is an all-natural oil, it is still not advisable to leave it on your hair for too long.
Here are four reasons why you should thoroughly wash coconut oil out of your hair:
Coconut oil has a distinct smell that may or may not be favorable for other people.
Since you already used coconut oil in your hair, I am sure you already know how it smells like. At first, it gives off a tropical, airy scent that smells like summer. But, if you leave it in your hair for too long, its scent will grow stronger.
Eventually, perhaps mixed with sweat and whatnot, the scent may not smell like summer anymore. Not cool.
Coconut oil easily solidifies in lower temperatures.
Coconut oil solidifies just as quickly as it melts. In other words, its consistency depends on its external environment’s temperature.
If coconut oil solidifies on your hair, it will often look like randomly scattered, small, white lumps that resemble cooking oil grease.
Unless you want your hair to look like an unwashed frying pan, you would probably want to remove coconut oil from your hair.
In colder countries, this is a usual problem. If you live in tropical countries, this can still be a problem, especially if you sleep in an air-conditioned room while leaving coconut oil in your hair overnight.
Your hair will feel sticky and heavy.
Instead of looking shiny and bouncy, your hair will look the total opposite. Over time, coconut oil can make your hair look flat and oily as if it is unwashed.
Since coconut oil solidifies, it tends to be sticky. As a result, it can form clumps of hair and attract more dirt to your hair.
Coconut oil can block the pores in your scalp, resulting in dandruff, or worse, scalp infection.
If left on your hair for too long, coconut oil may block the pores in your scalp.
If your scalp pores are blocked, dirt may be stuck beneath the pore. This may result in hair fall, dandruff, or a weaker hair shaft. But the worst you can get is a scalp infection.
How to wash hair after applying coconut oil
Now that you know the consequences of leaving coconut oil on your hair for too long, you are probably dying to know about the easiest and most effective ways to remove coconut oil from your hair.
We have the list of the quickest, cheapest, and easiest ways of removing coconut oil from your hair. And it’s up to you whether you want to remain conventional or go all-natural.
Conventional ways of removing coconut oil from hair:
Bubbly Shampoo
Any drugstore shampoo that is cheap, fragrant, and, most importantly, bubbly will work in removing coconut oil from hair.
Just use the shampoo like normal, but massage it on your scalp longer than usual.
Rinse with warm water. Since coconut oil easily melts at warm temperatures, rinsing with warm water is more effective than cold water in removing coconut oil.
Repeat, if needed.
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is great for absorbing excess coconut oil, or any oil for that matter.
Simply sprinkle some dry shampoo at the crown of your head and then comb your hair. Make sure that some of the powder goes with every stroke of your comb. Repeat in all directions as often as necessary until you achieve your desired shine.
You can also sprinkle some dry shampoo only on the oily portions of your scalp and hair.
All-natural ways of removing coconut oil from your hair
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a kitchen staple almost everywhere in the world. Surely, you have this versatile product at home, too.
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Massage the paste on hair and scalp and leave for five to ten minutes. Rinse with warm water.
If two tablespoons are not enough, you can adjust the quantity of the ingredients as long as you come up with a paste. Be sure that it’s neither too watery nor too powdery.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is high in citric acid, which helps break down coconut oil.
Squeeze two fresh lemons, then add two cups of warm water. You may opt to add honey to the mixture. Pour the mixture on your scalp little by little and massage it on your hair. Then, rinse with warm water.
Lemon juice has antibacterial powers which will make your hair healthy. Plus points because it smells fresh!
Eggs
Eggs are rich in protein, which could help in preventing hair damage. Luckily, you can use it to remove coconut oil from your hair.
You only need to beat two to three eggs and then add four cups of water to the mixture. Rub this mixture into your hair and let it stay for five to ten minutes. Wash off with warm water.
If all else fails…
If all the methods mentioned above did not work for you, try this ingredient as your last resort.
Dishwashing Soap
Dishwashing soap is commonly used to remove grease from dishes. Surely, it will remove all the excess coconut grease and sebum from your hair.
Simply use it the way you would use a shampoo. But don’t put too much and don’t let it stay in your hair for too long.
Dishwashing soap may strip your hair of its natural oils, so make sure to apply conditioner after.
Best way to get coconut oil out of hair
We have offered you a wide variety of ways to strip coconut oil off of your hair. Now, you might be wondering what works best for you. The answer is simple: it depends on your hair type.
If you have extra-sensitive scalp, thin and fragile hair, the all-natural methods will work best for you.
If you have damaged hair, we suggest you consider the egg wash method because it is rich in protein and helps prevent further hair damage.
If you have normal scalp and hair, the conventional methods will do their job. But the all-natural methods will work just as fine in your hair as well.
READ: When NOT To Use Coconut Oil in Your Hair
How do you wash coconut oil out of your hair without clogging it?
Now, you might be wondering: If coconut oil solidifies at low temperatures, then can it clog my drain?
Well, unfortunately, yes.
The risk of coconut oil clogging your drain is higher when you live in places with cold temperatures. Although it is less likely to happen for those who live in hot or warm places, it is still possible.
Here are three easy ways to make sure that coconut oil will not clog your drains.
First, take hot showers.
If you regularly take hot showers, the oils in your drain will melt and eventually flow with the water. If it reaches the sewer system or septic tank, it will not be able to clog your drain anymore.
Second, pour boiling water down the drain.
If you do not like taking hot showers, simply pour boiling water on your drain from time to time. The hot water will melt the oil and will prevent it from clogging your drain.
Third, use fractionated coconut oil.
A fractionated coconut oil is a version of coconut oil that stays liquid even at cold temperatures.
Unlike regular coconut oil, its Lauric acid has been removed. Lauric acid is the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial component of regular coconut oil. So, fractionated coconut oil may not work well for dandruff and itch.
Except for that, you can still get all the other health benefits for the hair in the fractionated coconut oil. Its biggest advantage is that it doesn’t clog your drain.
An all-natural way of having healthier hair and scalp!
Although using coconut oil has its disadvantages, we argue that its benefits far outweigh the risks.
Now that your coconut oil problems are solved, we hope that you continue getting that healthy, shiny, and bouncy hair using coconut oil!