How to Clean Your Scalp

Medically reviewed by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: January 11, 2022 References

Having a healthy scalp means having healthy hair. Because of dirt, oil, sweat, and products that you use on your hair, your scalp can get dirty and full of buildup. Cleaning your scalp every few weeks to remove residue can help reduce itching, dryness, and flakes while promoting healthier hair. To clean your scalp, try clarifying shampoos and products, use a natural scalp cleansing remedy, or try a scalp scrub.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Scalp with Commercial Products

1
Use a clarifying shampoo. Once a month, you should wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Leave the clarifying shampoo on your scalp for three minutes (or just follow the instructions on your shampoo). This will help remove buildup and dead skin cells.^{[1]
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- Clarifying shampoos can strip hair color, so use them before you get your color done again.
2
Try a scalp cleansing product. There are many products on the market that you can buy to help cleanse and clarify your scalp. You can buy scalp exfoliating scrubs, cleansing foams you massage onto your scalp, and clarifying serums that help remove dead skin cells.^{[2]
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- A foam doesn't need to be lathered and can be immediately placed on the hair and massaged on your scalp. Scrubs help get rid of a lot of product buildup on your scalp. Serums can help remove any leftover residue after cleansing your scalp.
- Some of these products can get pricey and may only be available at beauty supply stores or online.
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3
Use a deep conditioner after cleansing your scalp. When you cleanse your scalp, you are stripping everything from your hair. This means that you need to condition your hair after cleansing your scalp.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} Use a deep conditioner on your hair to replace all moisture lost when you cleansed your scalp.^{[4]
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- Conditioners should only be used on the tips of the hair and not on the scalp or length of the hair since conditioners can make fine hair look limp.^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- You can also use a leave-in conditioner to help replace moisture.
4
Set a scalp cleansing schedule. To properly take care of your hair, you should cleanse your scalp regularly. This is different for every person depending on their hair type. Start by cleansing your scalp once each month.^{[6]
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- If you find that you have a lot of buildup, use a lot of product, or sweat a lot, you may want to clarify your scalp every two weeks.
- Whether you cleanse your scalp weekly, biweekly, or monthly, you should incorporate it into your normal hair care routine.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleansing Your Scalp Naturally

1
Try apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can help improve the health of your scalp. It can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi that lead to dry scalp and dandruff. It can also help remove buildup and cleanse your scalp.^{[7]
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- Mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. Place it into a spray bottle and spray the mixture over your hair and scalp. Then, massage the mixture into your scalp and leave for three to five minutes. Rinse with warm water and then shampoo as normal.
2
Consider witch hazel. Witch hazel is an astringent that can help remove buildup and residue on your scalp. You can soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and wipe it around your scalp, or you can make a witch hazel rinse with one part witch hazel and two parts water. Leave the rinse on for a few minutes, and then shampoo your hair.
- When choosing a witch hazel brand, choose one that is alcohol-free.
3
Make a castile soap and baking soda mixture. If you have a lot of buildup on your scalp, you may need something a bit stronger. Mix castile soap with a tablespoon of baking soda. Take this mixture and massage it on your scalp. Let it sit for around five minutes.^{[8]
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- Rinse the mixture with warm water, and follow that with a cold water rinse.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Scalp Cleansing Scrubs

1
Make a brown sugar scrub. If you need to exfoliate your scalp, try this scrub made with brown sugar, oatmeal, and condition. Make sure you wash your hair first. Then, take some of the scrub and massage it into your scalp in a circular motion. Leave it for a few minutes, and then rinse out. This is good for dry hair.^{[9]
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- To make the scrub, combine two tablespoons of brown sugar, two tablespoons of oatmeal, and two tablespoons of conditioner.
- This scrub may be good for sensitive scalps.
2
Use a cinnamon mask. Cinnamon helps get rid of bacteria on the scalp. Baking soda helps get rid of residue, and olive oil increases moisture of your scalp and hair. Cover your scalp with the mask, and cover your hair with a shower cap. Leave the mask for 10 to 15 minutes. Shampoo afterwards.^{[10]
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- To make the mask, combine one teaspoon of baking soda, two tablespoons of olive oil, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
- This mask is good for dry hair.
3
Try a baking soda scrub. Baking soda helps clean your scalp, while tea tree oil may help eliminate the scalp bacteria that cause dandruff.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Mix one tablespoon of baking soda, and a few drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo. As you work the shampoo mixture into your hair, make sure that you massage it into your scalp. This is best for dry, flaky scalps.^{[12]
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- Rinse with warm water to remove the mixture.
- Don’t use this if you have color-treated hair. You may not want to use it with sensitive scalps because the tea tree oil can irritate.
4
Prepare a salt scrub. Salt is a good exfoliating agent that when combined with olive oil help to remove flakes, dandruff, and other debris on your scalp. Adding lemon juice helps remove any product build up. Mix the three ingredients together and massage into your scalp. Do this for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Shampoo afterwards.^{[13]
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- To make the scrub, use two tablespoons of sea salt, 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice, and two tablespoons of olive oil.
- Due to the salt and lemon juice, you may not want to use this if you have a sensitive scalp.
- If you go outside after applying the scrub, the lemon juice may lighten your hair. To be safe, wear a hat in the sunlight after using this method.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I clean the build-up on my scalp and keep it moisturized?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair to help hydrate your skin and keep it healthy.