13 Natural Ways to Get Coconut Oil Out of Your Hair [Step by Step]

Coconut oil has been renowned for a lot of functions from the skin to the hair. It is known to strengthen the hair shaft, improve hair shine, moisture, and remove dandruff.

Many persons swear by coconut oil, but sometimes things can go wrong when you use coconut oil for your hair needs.

Due to its oily and thick nature, excessive application of coconut oil might make your hair limp and weighed down. It can also become difficult to wash coconut out of your hair using your usual hair wash method.

Here we’re faced with the big question: ‘How can I get coconut oil out of my hair?’

Read through his post to find the answers to all your questions concerning coconut for hair care, alongside the best tips for getting coconut oil out of your hair.

Can coconut oil ruin your hair?

Sadly, yes! Coconut oil can ruin your hair. 

We know many people have used coconut oil over time, but the response and result after using it haven’t been all good. While some persons testify of how it made their hair smoother and healthier, others have seen their hair become brittle and even fall out. 

What might the cause be? Experts have narrowed it down to how different hair types relate to coconut oil.

One truth you should know is that coconut oil is not for every hair type.

For instance, those who lack sufficient protein in their hair can benefit from coconut oil because it helps to retain natural protein. Also, people with fine to medium hair shine can enjoy better shine and volume thanks to coconut oil.

However, persons with dry or coarse hair might suffer dry, brittle hair, and even hair loss when they use coconut oil.

How long does it take to get coconut oil out of your hair?

Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long to get coconut oil out of your hair. However, the method of removal will determine how long it takes to get the oil out of your hair. 

We’ll look at the methods in detail later. However, when removing coconut oil from your hair using fuller’s earth, it takes about 20 minutes. A tomato mix applied on your scalp will take 30 minutes, and an alcohol rinse will take between 15 and 20 minutes.

Across all the removal methods, it will likely take between 5 minutes and 30 minutes to get coconut oil out of your hair. 

Now, let’s get into the step-by-step process of removing coconut oil from your hair. 

13 Ways to get coconut oil out of your hair – Step by Step

If you already have coconut oil in your hair, there’s nothing to worry about because there are so many ways to get coconut oil out of your hair.

A simple warm water rinse is a great place to start since the coconut oil will solidify at cold temperatures. Using hot or warm water to wash your hair will melt it and get it out.

However, there’s a list of other methods that can work for you if a warm water rinse doesn’t suffice.

1. Use a baking soda paste

Measure 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda into a small bowl

Add little water and mix to form a slightly thick paste.

Apply the mixture on your scalp, as well as the areas with the most oil, such as the crown of your head. Avoid working it through your entire hair because it needs to work on your scalp, not your hair.

After covering your scalp completely with the mixture, massage it for 5 to 10 minutes for the paste to bond with the oil, making it come off easily when you wash.

Rinse off the baking soda paste with warm water, and it will wash off alongside the coconut oil.

2. Alcohol Wash

Alcohol is another surprising solution for getting excessive coconut oil out of your hair. You can do this by yourself in a few simple steps after rinsing your hair with shampoo.

Mix a cup of vodka with two cups of water in a bowl

Pour it on your hair and leave it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

When the timer goes off, wash it off your hair with water and watch it take the oil out with it.

3. Shampoo and Aloe Vera Gel

Measure the amount of your hair shampoo suitable for a single wash.

Measure a teaspoon of pure aloe vera gel and add it to your regular hair shampoo in a container.

Mix them and apply the mixture to your hair and scalp until it lathers.

Allow the mixture to sit on your scalp for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it out.

The aloe and shampoo mixture will get the coconut oil out with it.

4. Use a soapy/Clarifying Shampoo

Although a sulfate-free shampoo is ideal for managing your hair, you might need a sulfate shampoo to get out the coconut oil from your hair.

However, this option is not ideal if you have color-treated hair because it would take out your hair color alongside coconut oil. 

You can also use a clarifying shampoo because they have the necessary ingredient to remove a build-up of products from your hair and scalp, including oils.

Apply a good amount of hardy shampoo on your scalp and massage it properly. You can leave out the rest of your hair and focus on the scalp.

Wash it off after lathering it properly for a few minutes and reaching every area of your scalp.

You can shampoo your hair twice if you think there’s any coconut oil left behind after the first wash.

5. Egg Wash

Egg wash is renowned for removing coconut oil from your hair faster and better than shampoo.

Break two or three eggs in a bowl (preferably only the whites).

Add 950 ml of water to the eggs and mix them to form an egg wash. 

Pour the egg wash on your dry scalp and hair and rub it in. 

Leave it to sit for 10 to 20 minutes, then wash it out with cool water.

It is dangerous to use hot water because it can cook the eggs in your hair and give you a head of scrambled eggs and hair.

Alternatively, you can choose to add a teaspoon of castile soap and massage it into your scalp for another five minutes before washing it off with water.

6. Use a no-rinse powder/dry shampoo

Another way to get coconut oil out of your hair is to soak it up with a powder or dry shampoo. If you’re opting for shampoo, get a powder or aerosol kind to remove the oil while refreshing your hair.

Alternatively, you can use natural substances like baking soda, arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or even baby powder. However, ensure that whatever product you choose is talc-free to avoid side effects.

Ensure that your hair is dry and sprinkle the powder to the crown of your head while focusing on the roots. Begin with a small amount of powder and add more if you need to soak up more oil from the roots.

If you’re using dry shampoo, avoid adding more than one teaspoon because anything more can cause your scalp to dry out.

Once you have applied the amount of powder you need, comb through your hair until the powder blends in and soaks up the oil.

If you notice a white cast on your hair, lather your hair with a liquid shampoo and rinse it off.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple Cider vinegar can soak excess coconut oil from your hair and also balance your scalp’s pH. You can use a mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and water as a post-wash rinse to get coconut oil out of your hair in simple steps.

Mix the Apple Cider Vinegar and water at a ratio of 1:5.

Apply it to your hair and let it sit for between 5 and 10 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water and your hair will be free of excess oil.

8. Use a lemon juice rinse

Get two fresh lemons and juice them in a bowl. Add 24oml (8 ounces) of water to the bowl and stir.

Pour the juice on your hair and scalp and leave it to sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it out. 

Optionally, you can also add some tablespoons of honey to the mix before applying it to your hair for added softness. 

While you can keep it simple with only lemon and water, you can also take it up a notch by adding mint and rosemary.

After mixing the lemon juice and water, add one tablespoon each of rosemary and mint and boil the mixture for between 5 and 10 minutes for them to mix properly.

Set it aside to cool for a while, and then wash your hair with the lukewarm mixture to get rid of excess coconut oil in your hair.

9. Fuller’s Earth Mixture

Fuller’s earth resembles clay and gets its name from its ability to remove oil and dirt from wool. It can also absorb oil from your scalp and improve blood circulation.

Make a thick paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of fuller’s earth and water.

Apply the mixture on your hair and scalp and leave to sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

Wash off the mixture using warm water, your hair will be free of coconut oil.

10. Tomatoes and Fuller’s Earth

Tomato has an acidic content that helps to balance your hair’s pH content and remove odor from your hair, including the smell from coconut oil. 

Blend or mash one tomato into a puree and add one tablespoon of Fuller’s Earth. 

Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

Wash it off with warm/lukewarm water.

11. Apply Henna Powder

Henna powder has been used to clean and smooth hair for many years and is also used to extract excess oil from hair.

Make a paste out of henna powder and a little water. Ensure that it has a medium consistency.

Apply the powder paste on your hair and scalp and allow it to dry.

Wash it off once the paste dries, and it will remove the excess coconut oil from your scalp in no time.

12. Use Witch Hazel Oil

Witch hazel oil can help you remove coconut oil from hair and scalp while nourishing the hair and keeping it healthy.

Get a cotton ball and soak it in witch hazel oil.

When it has absorbed a good amount of the oil, apply it to your scalp and hair and leave for 30 minutes.

Wash it off when the time expires, and all the coconut oil will be out.

13. Paper Towels

This simple method can work if you don’t have access to all the things listed above.

Simply get paper towels and apply them to your hair. They will soak in the excess oil and leave your hair oil-free.

However, you might have to use a lot of paper towels depending on how much coconut oil is on your hair.

What happens when you don’t wash coconut oil out of your hair?

If you benefit from applying coconut oil to your hair, it is pertinent to note that leaving it on your hair for too long can cause some damages and inconveniences. 

Many experts recommend that you shouldn’t leave the oil on your hair for over 8 hours, so, if you’re of the school of thought that coconut oil should be left, permanently on your hair, here are some reasons why you should change your mind.

First, applying coconut oil to your hair without rinsing it off can attract dirt, make several types of bacteria gather on your scalp, which can cause hair loss. 

Also, leaving coconut on your scalp for days can clog your pores, cause dandruff, and lead to skin issues such as acne appearance on your forehead.

Carrying coconut oil in your hair without washing it off can make your hair smell rancid. In cold regions, it can harden your hair, while in hot climates, your hair can become heavy and oily.

The best time to apply coconut oil to your hair is at night. After applying it, cover your hair with a cap and go to bed so that it can restore oil to your scalp while you sleep. 

Before proceeding to wash your hair in the morning, you can soak a towel in hot water and wrap your hair with it for 5 minutes to allow the nutrients to absorb properly into your hair.

Final Words:

Coconut oil has been great at maintaining hair health for many, but the story has been different for others. One certainty is that our hair cannot break down and digest coconut oil, so it could lead to product build-up, grease, dirt, and even dandruff on the scalp.

If you have coconut oil stuck in your hair, the tips above can help you remove the excess oil in simple steps and keep your hair healthy.