Is Baking Soda Good For Your Hair? Risks, Benefits and Safest Alternatives

Baking soda is a household staple that most people are familiar with for freshening refrigerators and cleaning kitchens. But recently, it has gained more attention as a DIY treatment for hair care. Some people claim that it can remove buildup from product, help with scalp clarification, and even act as a replacement for traditional shampoo.

So is it really good for your hair? Baking soda can indeed help remove residue and excess oil in certain situations, but it may not be suitable for everyone. It is higher on the alkaline side, so it has the potential to disrupt your hair’s natural pH balance, which can lead to frizz, dryness, and even breakage if used too often. Before reaching for the little orange box in your pantry, here is everything you need to know about baking soda for hair care use.

Why Do People Use Baking Soda For Their Hair?

Baking soda, which is known as sodium bicarbonate, can be mildly abrasive and deeply cleansing, making it effective for lifting residue and dirt.

Some people like to use it for haircare benefits, like eliminating hard water residue, refreshing the scalp, clarifying oily hair, removing built-up product, and reducing excess oil between washes.