How I Fix Greasy Hair Naturally And Finally Stop Washing It Every Day

There was a time (okay, most of my early 20s) when I couldn’t go more than 24 hours without washing my hair. I’d wake up, look in the mirror, and see stringy, flat roots clinging to my forehead like cling wrap.

It didn’t matter how expensive the shampoo was or how long I rinsed. By the end of the day, my hair would be limp, greasy, and begging for another wash.

I thought my hair was just “oily.” I assumed it was genetic or hormonal or just something I’d always have to deal with. But the more I washed, the worse it got. The cycle never stopped until I decided to break it, naturally.

Now, I wash my hair just twice a week (yes, really), and it stays fresh, bouncy, and not greasy between washes.

If you’re stuck in the same oily-hair loop I was, here are the natural ways I used to fix greasy hair!

Understanding Why Hair Gets Greasy

Before I could fix the problem, I had to figure out what was going on. Greasy hair happens when the scalp produces too much sebum, a natural oil that keeps your hair healthy.

The problem is that when your scalp feels stripped (usually from overwashing or harsh products), it goes into panic mode and starts producing even more oil to compensate. Hello, endless greasy cycle.

For me, the fix was learning how to rebalance my scalp gently and give it a reason to chill out.

Step 1: Scalp Reset With Apple Cider Vinegar

My first natural switch was replacing harsh shampoos with a gentle apple cider vinegar rinse. ACV helps restore your scalp’s pH, which can signal your oil glands to stop overproducing.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup filtered or cool water
• Optional: 3 drops of tea tree or rosemary essential oil

Steps:

• Mix and pour slowly over your scalp after rinsing with water.
• Massage gently with your fingertips.
• Let sit for 2–3 minutes, then rinse again with cool water.
• I did this twice a week for a month, and my scalp started feeling so much calmer.

Step 2: Weekly Clay Detox Mask

Once a week, I treat my scalp to a bentonite clay mask to absorb excess oil and remove impurities from my roots. Think of it like a facial but for your scalp.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or water)
• A few drops of tea tree oil (optional)

Steps:

• Mix into a smooth paste.
• Apply directly to your scalp with your fingers or a brush.
• Let it sit for 10–15 minutes (don’t let it dry completely).
• Rinse thoroughly and follow with a gentle rinse or conditioner on the ends.

After doing this consistently, I noticed my hair stayed cleaner longer, and I had way more volume near the roots.

Step 3: Oil Before You Wash

One of the most surprising things I learned? Sometimes oily hair needs… oil. Applying a small amount of light natural oil before washing helps prevent your scalp from over-drying, which reduces rebound greasiness later.

My go-to pre-wash oil recipe is mixing 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and 1 drop rosemary essential oil.

I massage this into my scalp about 30 minutes before washing, then rinse it out thoroughly. It helps rebalance everything. And oddly enough, my hair looks cleaner for longer afterward.

Step 4: Give Your Scalp a Break

I used to wash my hair every single day. Partly out of habit, but mostly out of fear. I was convinced that if I skipped even one wash, my roots would turn into an oil slick and I’d look unkempt.

But the truth? That constant washing was causing the oiliness. My scalp was overcompensating every time I stripped it clean.

So, I decided to retrain it gently. One of the first things I tried was co-washing, which means washing with a natural conditioner instead of shampoo. It helped cleanse my hair without drying it out, and my scalp didn’t panic like it normally did after a wash.

I also got creative with styling. On day three or four, when my roots started to feel a little heavy, I’d go for loose buns or braids. They hide the grease and help protect my ends from dryness and breakage!

Another game-changer was switching to a boar bristle brush. I’d use it to gently brush from scalp to ends to distribute natural oils evenly down the hair shaft. It made my hair look shinier and feel less greasy at the roots.

It’s About Being Balanced

For so long, I thought greasy hair meant I was doing something wrong. I felt gross, self-conscious, and like I could never show up without freshly washed hair. But once I learned to listen to my scalp and give it the chance to balance out naturally, everything shifted.

Now, my hair feels lighter, bouncier, and way less high-maintenance. I don’t dread wash days. I don’t rely on products to hide buildup. And most importantly, I feel good in my hair, even when it’s a few days post-wash.

If you’re dealing with oily roots and frustrated by how fast your hair gets greasy, try one or two of these natural methods. Be patient. Be kind to your scalp.