How To Wash Coconut Oil Out Of Hair: 12 Natural Ways

Coconut oil is good for adding moisture and luster to your hair. However, overusing it can make your hair look greasy and sometimes cause breakouts on your forehead. How to wash coconut oil out of hair in that case? Washing it off can take a long time. Coconut oil, when used as pre- and post-hair treatments, penetrates the hair shaft to reduce protein loss (1). This adds to the volume and health of your hair. But, too much of it can cause stickiness, and washing your hair multiple times can damage your hair. This article tells you ways to get coconut oil out of your hair easily. Read on!

Why Remove Coconut Oil From Your Hair?

You should wash coconut oil from your hair for the following reasons:

• Though coconut oil has myriad benefits like hair nourishment, hair conditioning, and hair repair, not everyone finds the smell of coconut oil appealing, especially those with a sensitive nose.
• Too much coconut oil on your hair may make it greasy and attract dust particles.
• Leaving coconut oil on the hair and scalp may cause sebum buildup and choke the hair follicles, causing hair fall.

You can use coconut oil for hair growth, dandruff, nourishment, and enhanced overall hair health. But if you leave it in your hair for too long, it may do more harm than good. Learn more in the next section.

What Happens When Coconut Oil Is Left On Your Hair For A Long Time

Coconut oil offers numerous benefits for your hair, like hair moisturization and helps in hair protection (2).

However, leaving it on your hair for too long may:

• Cause oil buildup
• Make the hair greasy (especially fine hair)
• Clog the pores
• Attract dirt and dust

All these factors can choke the hair follicles and increase hair fall. To prevent this, you need to remove coconut oil from your hair after a few hours. Here is how to do it the right way.

How To Remove Coconut Oil From Your Hair

To remove the oil properly while preserving your hair beauty, hair care professionals advise following proper hair detoxification plans for a successful clean out.

• Use A Clarifying Shampoo: A clarifying shampoo contains a high amount of SLS (surfactant) that thoroughly cleanses the hair in just one wash. However, always follow up with a good quality conditioner as clarifying shampoos may strip the natural oils from the hair and scalp.

• Use A Dry Shampoo: If your hair feels greasy even after shampooing, using dry shampoo can remove coconut oil traces. You can spray some dry shampoo on your hair for a matte look. You may use baby powder or corn starch instead of dry shampoo. Rub it gently on the scalp and leave it on to absorb excess oil. However, avoid using dry shampoo regularly.

Here are some more DIY or natural remedies for removing coconut oil from your hair without using a shampoo.

DIY Remedies For Removing Coconut Oil Out Of Hair

Washing coconut oil out of hair is not a difficult task, but there are a few effective remedies to help you do it more efficiently:

• Paper Towels

If you do not want to use shampoos and conditioners, use paper towels to remove coconut oil from your hair.  Press a paper towel on the scalp to absorb the excess oil.

• Mint, Rosemary, And Lemon Water

Anecdotal evidence suggests lemon has strong hair-cleansing properties, and this concoction is popularly used for removing excess hair oil. Squeeze half a lemon in two cups of water and add a tablespoon each of mint and rosemary. Boil this mixture for 5-10 minutes and let it cool down for a while. Wash your scalp and hair with the lukewarm concoction. Adjust the quantity of water and lemon juice as per your hair length.

• Fuller’s Earth

Clay has excellent grease-absorbing properties (3). Due to its excellent adsorbing quality Multani mitti helps to remove oil or sebum from the hair (4). Mix three tablespoons of Fuller’s earth and water to make a paste. Apply it to the scalp and hair and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing off with warm water.

Quick Tip

If you have dry scalp and hair, using fuller’s earth can further dry them out as it is extremely absorbent. Hence, use it sparingly to avoid its adverse effects.

• Tomatoes

You may mix tomato puree and Fuller’s earth to remove coconut oil from your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair and scalp for 30 minutes and then wash it off with shampoo. This popular home remedy helps absorb excess oil, making it easy to clean your hair.

• Alcohol

This is yet another popular home remedy to remove coconut oil from your hair.  You may mix a cup of vodka with two cups of water and use it as a post-shampoo rinse. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then wash your hair with water.

• Henna 

This is a traditional home remedy for keeping the hair healthy and removing excess grease (5). Apply a paste of henna powder and water to your hair and wash it off once it dries.

• Witch Hazel Oil

This simple remedy may help remove excess grease and coconut oil from the hair as it can control excess oil on the scalp (6). Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel oil and apply it to your scalp and hair. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

• Egg Wash 

Anecdotal evidence suggests egg wash is extremely effective for washing out coconut oil from the hair. Apply half a cup of egg white to your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then shampoo your hair.

• Baking Soda

This is the most popular home remedy for removing excess grease from the hair. Advocates of using baking soda on the scalp say they help cleanse the scalp without removing natural oils from the hair. Users also report less greasiness and softer hair strands. However, there is no evidence available to confirm these claims (7). Mix two tablespoons of baking soda and water and massage the paste for 5 to 10 minutes onto your scalp and hair. Wash it off with warm water.

A blogger recalls her personal experience of battling the extreme greasiness of coconut oil on her washed hair. She used some coconut oil after washing her hair for a shiny texture, but instead saw a super oily and wet-looking outcome. She tried blow drying as well, but all in vain! Then a friendly suggestion came to her rescue. She notes, “She told me to take baking soda and apply it to my hair in the shower to strip it of the oil. Hopefully, that will work and make my hair look normal again. Moral of the story? Stay away from coconut oil on your hair if you have fine hair like mine (i).”

Did You Know?

Frequent use of baking soda may turn your tresses dry and brittle, leading them to break. In addition, it may also irritate your skin.

• Aloe Vera

Applying a mix of your regular shampoo or lemon water and aloe vera gel may also help remove coconut oil. You may leave the mixture on for a few minutes before washing it off.

• Lemon Juice 

The acidity in lemon is said to remove grease and coconut oil from your hair. You may mix the juice of half a lemon and a cup of water and use it as a post-shampoo rinse. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and wash the hair with lukewarm water.

• Apple Cider Vinegar 

Dilute ACV and water in the ratio of 1:5 and use it as a post-wash rinse. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and wash again with cold water. ACV is said to soak excess oil and balance the scalp pH. The acetic content in ACV can help remove leftover residue from other hair products on the scalp and hair (8 ).

While coconut oil is good for your hair, its benefits mainly depend on how long you leave it on. Washing it off too early and leaving it for too long may be counterproductive.

How Long Should I Leave Coconut Oil In My Hair?

You can leave coconut oil on your hair for a minimum of 30 minutes. Whether you use coconut oil for dry scalp or damaged hair, you can achieve the maximum results by leaving it in overnight. Washing it off too early may not let the hair and scalp soak its benefits, and keeping it on for days may attract dirt and cause buildup and hair fall.

Here are a few ways you may apply coconut oil to your hair.

How To Apply Coconut Oil To Your Hair

1. Coconut Oil As A Hair Mask

To effectively use coconut oil hair mask:

• Warm up the oil.
• Part your hair with a comb and apply it to the scalp and hair. Focus on the hair ends as they do not receive the natural scalp oils.
• Massage the scalp and cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on overnight.
• Shampoo the next day.
• Apply coconut oil at night to dry hair for best results.

2. Coconut Oil As A Hair Oil

To use coconut oil directly as a nourishing treatment:

• Heat the coconut oil and rub it between your palms.
• Apply the oil from the mid-length to the hair ends.
• Comb your hair. You may leave it on for a day or wash it off after 30 minutes.
• To promote hair wellness, you can indulge in a head massage once a week with lukewarm coconut oil. Stress on different pressure points on the head and drag the fingers from the front of the scalp to behind the ears and to the nape of neck to drain the stagnant lymphatic fluid and toxins away from the scalp. Remember to wash the oil from your scalp after an hour as keeping it on for more than that can give rise to scalp infection, flaking, itching, etc.
• Try using coconut oil for hair oiling as a pre-shampoo treatment to further promote hair growth. This will help with hair health and protection, as well as nourishment and hair hydration.

In addition, consider incorporating hair rejuvenation techniques such as a hair spa or hair therapy session to nourish your locks and avoid heat tools while hair styling.

You are now equipped with some efficient DIY remedies to remove excess coconut oil. However, knowing how to prevent coconut oil buildup can save you all this trouble. Let us explore some useful prevention tips!

Preventing Greasy Hair From Coconut Oil Use

Follow these easy steps to enjoy the benefits of coconut oil without the mess.

• Start with a small amount and increase only if needed.
• Focus on applying coconut oil to the ends, not the scalp.
• Avoid using coconut oil too often to prevent buildup. Limit usage to 1 to 3 times per week depending on hair type.
• Use lightweight shampoos to wash out excess oil.
• Consider mixing coconut oil with other lighter oils for a more balanced treatment.

Infographic: Easiest Ways To Remove Coconut Oil From Your Hair

Coconut oil can be sticky and cause greasy hair. Though there are plenty of ways to remove this oil from your hair, it might not be easy if you are in a hurry and do not have time to prepare the remedies.

Check out the infographic below to learn the easiest ways to remove coconut oil from your hair if you do not have enough time at hand.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Conclusion

Coconut oil is excellent for maintaining hair health. However, using too much or leaving it for too long may cause issues like grease, product buildup on your scalp, and hair fall. Removing coconut oil from hair is simple with a variety of effective methods like clarifying shampoos, DIY remedies, and natural ingredients like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or witch hazel oil. It is important to choose a remedy that works best for your hair type and avoid overuse to maintain healthy hair. You should also be aware that coconut oil should be left in for a minimum of 30 minutes and ideally overnight for optimal benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it typically take to remove coconut oil?

Removing coconut oil from your hair usually takes 1 to 2 washes. However, it also depends on how much oil you have applied.

Can I use these methods on color-treated hair?

Yes, you can use these methods on color-treated hair, but be gentle to avoid damaging the color.

Can you wash out coconut oil with a conditioner?

No. You must shampoo your hair to remove coconut oil. Then, follow it up with a conditioner.

Why does my hair fall out when I use coconut oil?

If you apply too much coconut oil, it may mix with buildup and dirt and clog the follicles, leading to hair fall.

How do you wash coconut oil out of curly hair?

Using coconut oil for curly hair has many benefits but removing it might require extra effort. Wash your hair with warm water and a clarifying shampoo to remove coconut oil from curly hair.

Illustration: How To Remove Coconut Oil From Your Hair: 12 Ways

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn the best way to remove coconut oil from your hair! Get ready to be amazed by the life-changing technique provided in this video!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Rekha YadavBHMS

   

Dr. Rekha Yadav is a certified trichologist from the International Association of Trichologists, Australia. She established her hair and scalp practice in 1999 in Mumbai, India, and has over 20 years of experience in this field.

Read full bio of Dr. Rekha Yadav

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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