Unpleasant smell emanating from your tresses may put you in an awkward situation. Before this obnoxious odor of your hair becomes the reason of your embarrassment, take some measures to avoid it. Smelly hair syndrome is the main cause of this stinky condition. People with oily scalp mostly face this problem. Overactive sebaceous glands on the scalp, poor personal hygiene, excessive sweating, more exposure to chemicals and environmental pollution, hormonal imbalance, bacterial and fungal infections are some factors that contribute to reeking hair. Both men as well as women can have this problem.

However, stinking hair is not at all a serious condition. It can be alleviated by adopting some dietary measures and natural remedies.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Smelly Hair

1. Tomato Juice

Tomatoes are natural pH balancers that act as cleansers and give you odor-free hair. Extract the juice of as many tomatoes as required, depending upon the length of your hair. Massage it all over your hair. Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes. Then wash with a mild shampoo. It can be applied twice a week.

Note – Tomato juice lightens your hair color.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda helps neutralize fetid smell and also reduces oiliness. It is an effective remedy. Blend water and baking soda in 3: 1 proportion. Douse your hair with water and apply this paste on your wet hair. Wait for 5 minutes and then rinse. Use this remedy once in a week.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar reinstates your hair’s normal pH, averts frizzes and adds luster. It cleanses your hair and eradicates all those elements that may cause smell. Mix ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water. Then simply rinse your hair with this solution. Leave it for a minute before washing it out.

4. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice works incredibly great for both skin and hair. It not only cleanses hair and scalp, but also renders a pleasing fragrance to your hair and makes them smooth and shiny. Lemon helps you get rid of dandruff and scalp infections.

5. Honey and Cinnamon

Honey and cinnamon possess antibacterial and antifungal properties which keep you from infections. Just add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for about 30 minutes. Then mix 1 teaspoon of honey in it. Spread this on your scalp and leave it for 45 minutes. Rinse off with water. Later on, wash with a shampoo.

6. Olive Oil

Apply olive oil all over the scalp and massage gently before washing your hair. Olive oil has incredible soothing properties which will lessen itchiness and bad odor.

7. Onion Juice

Onion contains powerful antiseptic and antifungal properties that are ample to dump all your hair woes. Grind some onions in a juicer and gently apply the onion juice on your scalp. Wait for 30 minutes and then rinse off with a shampoo.

8. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Add 8-10 drops of grapefruit seed extract in your shampoo and massage it on your scalp. Then, wash your hair as usual.

9. Milk of Magnesia

Milk of magnesia will cut down excess oil present in your hair which, generally, adds up to the bad smell. Directly apply milk of magnesia on your scalp. Wait for an hour. Then, shampoo your hair.

10. Orange Juice

Orange juice checks the excess oil present in your hair and sloughs off dandruff. Besides, the peels of orange deodorize your hair.

11. Vodka

Use vodka to clean your locks and get rid of smelly hair. It also stimulates hair growth. Mix one tbsp of vodka in a bottle of water. Spray this solution after shampooing your strands. Don’t rinse afterwards. Repeat this once in a week.

12. Garlic Oil

Garlic oil is loaded with powerful antiseptic and antifungal compounds. It also contains sulfur which kills the smell producing yeast and bacteria. It is easily available at drug stores or beauty stores. However, it can be prepared at home as well, by heating coconut oil with some garlic cloves.

13. Egg White

Take yogurt according to the length of your hair. Add egg yolk to it. Mix well and spread it on your strands. Rinse off with cold water after 20-25 minutes.

Herbal Remedies for Stinky Hair

14. Thyme

Thyme lessens bad smell in hair. Boil two cups of thyme sprigs in two liters of water for 15 minutes. Put a lid on it. After the solution cools down, strain it and use this herbal tea to clean your tresses.

15. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera heals various scalp problems. It prevents hair loss, conditions your hair, and reduces both dandruff and smell. You can use it once a week.

16. Margosa Oil

Margosa oil can effectively treat scalp infections. The antiseptic properties of margosa oil do away with bad smell from hair. Use this remedy once in a week.

17. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has been proved to be the most effective way for getting rid of smelly hair. Owing of its antifungal and antiseptic properties, it relives scalp from inflammation and itching which mainly cause odor in hair. Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. Dry them with a clean towel and apply 5-10 drops of lavender oil. This will cost you very minimal.

18. Tea Tree Oil

It cleanses the stinky hair naturally, and antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil helps cure the scalp infections and evades microbial growth.  This oil will also reduce dandruff and scalp acne.

Do’s

Don’ts