Believe it or not, you can wash your hair with flour. In fact, I was so fascinated by the concept that I decided to research how to wash your hair with rye flour!
In this article you will find the do’s and don’ts, so you will not end up with dandruff-like flakes, or a head full of batter.
Rye flour is often used by No-Poo followers to keep their hair in great, clean, condition. It is well known to have many benefits for your hair. Rye flour is gentle on your scalp, cleansing, cheap, and easy to use. It can be mixed with other natural ingredients depending upon how you wish to improve the condition of your hair.
Read on to find out why rye flour is so good for your hair and scalp, and the methods you can use to get the best out of your rye flour washes.
How To Wash Your Hair With Rye Flour
Those who follow No Poo reject the use of traditional shampoos to keep their hair clean and healthy.
Many followers claim that rejecting synthetic chemicals in favor of more natural ingredients is better for your hair, and will improve its:
- Health
- Shine
- Manageability
So why might you want to wash your hair with rye flour in the first place?
Take a look at the list below of reasons why many No-Poo advocates are using rye flour to wash their hair:
- Cost Effective: Needing only 2 tablespoons of flour per wash makes using rye flour far less expensive than traditional shampoos.
- Natural: No synthetic chemicals are used.
- Simple: As easy and quick as using traditional shampoo.
- Balanced: With a pH similar to your scalp and hair, rye flour is gentle yet effective at cleaning your hair.
- Effective: The slightly grainy texture of this natural wash means that dirt and debris are easily whisked away from your hair.
- Healthy Hair: The pantothenic acid in the rye flour is used widely to improve hair growth and is also known as vitamin B5.
So, how do you wash your hair with rye flour?
There are a couple of different thoughts on how to wash hair with rye flour. The main difference is between those who apply the rye flour onto wet hair, as opposed to those who believe it works best on dry hair.
As it is generally easier to wash ourselves and our hair in the shower, this step-by-step guide will direct you on how to use rye flour on wet hair:
Ingredients
- Rye Flour: 2 tbsp for short hair, more for longer hair. You can use either fine white flour or wholemeal flour, although wholemeal will take longer to stir into a paste.
- Water: To mix the flour into a paste.
Method
- Mix the desired amount of rye flour to a paste with water.
- Strain through a sieve or tea strainer, especially if there are lumps.
- Wet hair.
- Separate hair into sections.
- Slather rye flour mix into each section.
- Massage through scalp and hair, paying attention to the roots.
- Leave mixture on hair for up to 10 minutes.
- Rinse hair through with cool water.
- Rinse again to make sure that all flour grains are removed from your hair.
- Allow to dry, then thoroughly brush your hair.
The most important step when using rye flour is the rinsing.
It can take a while to rinse out fully, but it is very important to do so, otherwise when your hair dries flakes may appear (source 1).
Why Does Rye Flour Work As Shampoo?
You may be wondering why rye flour cleans hair so well.
Below are a couple of reasons:
- Saponins: Saponins provide the soapy, lathering effect in traditional shampoos.
- Texture: Depending upon your type of hair, either fine or coarse rye flour will be best. The coarse nature of both, when massaged into the hair and scalp will help remove dirt and debris.
- pH: The pH balance is similar to your hair and scalp, so is unlikely to irritate your skin.
Cleaning your hair with rye flour is simple, effective, and will leave your hair soft, silky, and full of health.
Rye Flour For Hair Benefits
Rye flour is very beneficial to your hair.
Below are just a few of the wonderful properties of rye flour:
- pH balanced: With a similar pH level to your skin and scalp, rye flour is both kind and gentle.
- Vitamins and Nutrients: Several vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are found in rye flour.
- Texture: Both fine and coarse flour can be used depending upon your hair type.
- Growth: Rye flour can aid hair growth.
- Natural: No man-made chemicals are generally found in rye flour.
- Shine: Enhanced shine has been recorded as a benefit of this method.
- Reduces Oils: Without stripping the natural oils, using rye flour will reduce oil build up as a No Poo method over time.
When you start using rye flour as your No Poo wash you will likely find that you notice many other benefits (source 1).
Downsides Of Washing Hair With Rye Flour
Cleansing your hair with rye flour has many benefits. As with most things though, there are downsides.
Below are the main problems that you may encounter:
- Flakes: There is a danger that if you do not rinse the flour out fully when your hair dries the flour will look like bad dandruff and flake off your hair throughout the day.
- Fluffy: Some people experience fluffy ends and need to use a conditioner to calm their hair.
- Rinse Time: It can take up to 15 minutes to rinse the flour out successfully.
- Water Use: Owing to the time it takes to rinse your hair, your water usage will increase.
- Frequency: No Poo followers often stretch the time between washing to every 10 days. However, with rye flour, you may need to wash your hair several times a week.
You may experience other downsides such as a slightly doughy scent to your hair, but adding herbs or a drop of essential oil may help to combat this.
How To Get Flour Out Of Hair
It is accepted that getting rid of flour from your hair can be a challenge.
To make life easier choose your flour wisely, and follow these tips:
- Flour Type: Choose very fine flour that has been milled to a powder. White flour will be easier to remove than brown, although brown may work best for curly hair.
- Sieve: Sieve your paste before use.
- Mix: Make sure there are no lumps in your paste.
- Rinse: Rinse, rinse, rinse!
- Brush: Once your hair is dry, brushing through should help remove any remaining flour.
If you have dark hair you can add a spoonful of coffee to the mix so that should any flour remain, it is harder to see in your hair.
Can You Wash Your Hair With Dark Rye Flour And Conditioner?
Dark rye flour is less processed than white. Whilst this may improve its cleaning powers, it will also make it more difficult to remove.
Conditioner should not be necessary but some people find it useful, especially for the ends of the hair.
An ACV rinse can also be used after washing to keep your hair in tip-top condition.
Rye Flour Hair Loss
As rye flour is so gentle on your hair it is unlikely to promote hair loss.
It also has a similar pH to your scalp so should not cause hair loss due to irritation.
However, if your hair is looking thinner than before then another No Poo method should be used.
Not all methods work for everyone so you should listen to your hair, and if it is getting thinner swap to a different ingredient.
Rye Flour Shampoo Before And After
Rye flour is gentle on your hair and can leave it feeling soft, shiny, and more manageable than when using traditional shampoos.
It is pH balanced and contains many nutrients that will help your hair be incredibly healthy and look fabulous.
Can I Use Flour As Dry Shampoo?
Rye flour can be used as a dry shampoo quite successfully.
It should be massaged into the scalp and left for a couple of hours to absorb the grease. Next, you should brush your hair thoroughly to remove the dirt and any remaining flour from your hair.
Depending upon your hair color you could also add the following to get a closer color match:
- Blonde: Nothing or arrowroot if using white flour.
- Brown: Coffee, charcoal (very small amounts), cocoa.
- Auburn: Cinnamon.
The amount of these additions will vary depending upon the color of your locks. A small amount of trial and error will be necessary to find the perfect match for you (source 1)
Conclusion
If you are wondering how to wash your hair with rye flour, this article should have given you a good platform to start.
Rye flour is versatile and can be used as a wash, or as a dry shampoo. It is gentle on your hair and scalp.
Related Questions
Washing Hair With Only Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is normally used as a rinse rather than a No Poo wash. When diluted it can be an effective moisturiser, and does have a small cleansing effect.
Rye Flour Face Wash
Just as you can use white rye flour for hair, so you can use it to cleanse your face. Light rye flour is gentle as a facial wash and contains a great number of vitamins that will help your skin.
Mechanical Cleaning Hair
Your fingertips are the best way to work the wash and masks fully into your hair, when wet. Brushing when dry will also remove dirt and debris from your hair.