How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar on Hair: The Complete Guide

Apple cider vinegar can seem almost too simple to be true—a single ingredient with the power to transform your hair care routine. But if you’ve ever struggled with a dry, irritated scalp, limp or greasy roots, or stubborn buildup that robs your hair of its natural shine, you know there’s no easy fix in modern shampoos and conditioners.

For many of us—myself included—it was only by stepping back from these over-marketed products that real growth began. Apple cider vinegar rinses were one of the most powerful shifts in my minimalist, historically inspired haircare journey.

This guide will show you how to use apple cider vinegar on hair to balance your scalp’s pH, remove buildup gently, and enhance shine. Apple cider vinegar may not directly stimulate growth, but it supports the environment your hair needs to grow long and healthy.

Why Apple Cider Vinegar Works for Hair

Long before bottled shampoos, people washed their hair just a few times per season with natural rinses like clays, eggs, and vinegars. There’s good reason for that—modern surfactants strip natural oils, triggering scalp imbalances and breakage that stalls growth. Apple cider vinegar helps us return to a gentler, more effective approach.

Natural pH Balancing and Antifungal Properties

Your scalp is slightly acidic (pH ~4.5–5.5). Many shampoos are too alkaline, disrupting this balance and encouraging dryness, irritation, and even fungal overgrowth (like dandruff-causing yeasts). Apple cider vinegar, naturally acidic, helps restore this healthy environment.

It’s also lightly antifungal and antibacterial, making it an excellent post-wash rinse if you’re prone to itching or flakes.

Clarifying Benefits Without Harsh Stripping

Unlike synthetic clarifying shampoos that leave your hair squeaky-dry, apple cider vinegar gently breaks down residue from styling products, conditioners, hard water, and even natural oils that can build up over time. This means cleaner roots, more volume, and a reset for your scalp’s natural oil production.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Recipes

One of my favorite things about apple cider vinegar is how customizable it is. Below are tried-and-true recipes from my own journey and customer favorites from Katherine Haircare.

Basic Rinse for Short Hair – 1:1 Ratio with Filtered Water

Perfect for pixie or shorter length hair. 

Recipe:

• ½ cup raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar

• ½ cup filtered water

• Optional: a few drops of essential oils (lavender, rosemary, tea tree)

Store in an applicator bottle in the fridge between uses.

Long Hair Formula – 2–4 TBS Vinegar in 2 Cups Water

For shoulder to waist-length or highly porous hair, a gentler dilution is recommended.

Recipe:

• 2–4 tablespoons raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar

• 2 cups (500 mL) filtered water

• Optional: essential oils

This larger volume ensures even coverage without over-acidifying strands.

Add-ons – Essential Oils or Aloe Vera for Added Benefits

• Essential oils: Add 1-2 drops of rosemary for growth support, tea tree for flakes, or lavender for soothing the scalp.

• Aloe vera: Add a teaspoon of aloe vera juice for extra hydration and scalp-calming.

  
  

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar on Hair for Different Goals

Because apple cider vinegar is so versatile, you can customize how you use it depending on your needs. Here are my favorite approaches:

For Scalp Health – Use Post-Clay Wash to Restore pH

If you use a gentle clay wash (like Rhassoul or your favorite DIY blend), you’ll notice it cleans beautifully but can raise your scalp’s pH slightly. Rinsing with diluted apple cider vinegar afterward restores the ideal acidic environment, helping prevent dryness, flakes, and irritation.

How to use apple cider vinegar on hair:

• Apply diluted rinse to your scalp after thoroughly rinsing out your clay wash.

• Massage in with fingertips for 1–2 minutes.

• Rinse with cool or lukewarm water.

Pro Tip: Apply my Herbal Hair Growth Oil 30 minutes (or even overnight) before washing—then follow with your ACV rinse to gently remove excess oil and rebalance your scalp’s pH.

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For Hair Growth – Combine with Scalp Massage and Oil Routine

Growth depends on follicle health. Apple cider vinegar reduces buildup that can suffocate follicles and balances scalp pH for optimal function. Combined with regular scalp massage and nourishing oils, it’s part of a holistic growth routine.

How to use:

• Do an oil pre-treatment (castor, coconut, or your favorite blend)

• Wash hair (clay wash recommended)

• Follow with ACV rinse to rebalance pH and help remove oil residue.

• Massage gently to encourage blood flow.

For Clarifying Product Buildup – Weekly Rinse Protocol

Even if you’re low-product, styling creams, gels, and oils accumulate. An ACV rinse once a week helps gently clarify without harsh surfactants.

How to use:

• Wash hair as usual.

• Apply diluted ACV rinse from roots to ends.

• Let sit for 2–3 minutes.

• Rinse thoroughly.

For Shine and Smoothness – Cold Rinse Final Step

Want that glossy finish? A final ACV rinse flattens the cuticle for light-reflecting shine.

How to use:

• Wash and condition (or clay wash and ACV rinse for minimalists).

• Finish with a diluted ACV rinse in cool water.

• Don’t rinse with hot water after—cool water helps seal the cuticle.

Best Practices: How to Apply Apple Cider Vinegar to Hair

Using apple cider vinegar on hair isn’t complicated—but a few tips ensure you get the most benefit with minimal mess.

• Use an applicator bottle for easy, targeted distribution on the scalp.

• Section your hair if it’s thick or long to make sure the rinse reaches your roots.

• Massage in for 1–2 minutes. This enhances blood flow and ensures contact with the scalp microbiome.

• Let it sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing—don’t rush!

• Rinse with lukewarm or cool water to help seal the cuticle and lock in shine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Apple Cider Vinegar on Hair

Even natural methods can go wrong if misapplied. Avoid these pitfalls:

Using It Undiluted

Raw apple cider vinegar is too acidic straight from the bottle and can irritate your scalp or damage your hair cuticle. Always dilute it.

Overuse Leading to Dryness

ACV is clarifying, which is great for occasional use—but overdoing it can dry your hair. Start once a week or after clay washes, and adjust as needed.

Pairing with Incompatible Products

If you’re using conventional shampoos with harsh sulfates, the pH swing can be too drastic if you’re using an apple cider vinegar rinse after every daily wash. For best results, pair ACV rinses with gentle or clay-based cleansers, or limit use to once per week.

FAQ

How often should I use apple cider vinegar on my hair?

Most people find 1x per week is ideal. If you’re using a clay wash, use ACV after every wash to restore pH. Always adjust based on your hair’s response.

Will the vinegar smell stay in my hair?

No, not if diluted and rinsed properly. The smell usually dissipates completely as hair dries. Adding essential oils can also help mask it.

Can ACV help with dandruff or itchy scalp?

Yes! Its natural antifungal and pH-balancing properties can reduce flaking and calm irritation over time. Consistency is key.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar on Hair: This is Only the Beginning

If you’ve been wondering how to use apple cider vinegar on hair, know that this is only the beginning.

Through a series of historical hair care practices, I’ve been able to grow my hair past my “stuck zone” (shoulder length) for the first time in my life!

6 years later, after ditching modern products completely, my hair is down to my tailbone and still growing!

To learn the full process I used to transform my hair when modern solutions failed, click the button below where I reveal every detail step-by-step.

Reveal My Full Process