DIY All-Natural Hair Detangler Spray for Kids & Adults
If you have kids with long, tangled hair—or you’re constantly battling knots and tangles yourself—you know how frustrating it can be to brush through them. Store-bought detangling sprays can also get expensive, especially when you’re using them regularly. That’s why I love this simple DIY all-natural hair detangler spray. It’s made with just a few easy-to-find ingredients, is gentle enough for kids and adults, and costs a fraction of what you’ll pay for a bottle at the store. It’s a simple homemade solution that can make brushing through those stubborn tangles a whole lot easier!
The idea for this DIY hair detangler actually came from my granddaughter. After spending so much time swimming during the summer, her hair was becoming really dry and tangled from the pool water. Brushing it after swimming was becoming a struggle, so I wanted a simple way to soften her hair and make those tangles easier to manage. Instead of reaching for another store-bought product, I decided to try making my own hair detangler at home with just a few simple ingredients.
This DIY all-natural hair detangler may not be for everyone-especially if you have very fine, straight hair that doesn't tend to tangle much. But if you deal with knots, tangles, and hard-to-brush-through hair, this simple homemade spray is worth trying! It's made with natural ingredients, gentle enough for kids and adults, and costs just a fraction of what you'll pay for store-bought detanglers. That makes this DIY a simple little money-saver for the whole family!
Why Use an All-Natural Hair Detangler?
Nourishing Ingredients in this DIY Hair Detangler
Not only is making your own hair detangler cost-effective, but it also allows you to choose exactly what you’re putting on your hair. This simple recipe uses natural oils that can help moisturize, soften, and smooth hair without the long list of unnecessary ingredients often found in commercial detangling products. Making your own detangler isn't just about avoiding unnecessary ingredients found in store-bought products. It's also an easy way to add simple, nourishing ingredients to your hair.
This homemade detangler uses jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil to help soften and condition the hair while adding lightweight moisture. These oils can help smooth dry strands, reduce friction while brushing, and make stubborn knots and tangles easier to work through without leaving hair feeling heavy or greasy.
Jojoba Oil is a wonderful choice for hair because it closely resembles the natural oils produced by the scalp. It helps add moisture and softness without leaving hair feeling overly greasy, making it especially nice for dry or tangled hair. Jojoba oil can also help smooth the hair, making knots easier to work through.
Fractionated Coconut Oil is another great option. It is lightweight, easily spreadable, and can help moisturize and condition the hair while adding softness and shine. Because it remains liquid at room temperature, it works especially well in a homemade spray.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a great addition to a homemade hair detangler because its acidity can help smooth the hair’s outer layer, leaving hair feeling softer and smoother. It can also help remove product buildup and make the hair easier to comb through. When diluted with water as it is in this recipe, apple cider vinegar provides a simple way to add softness and shine without weighing hair down.
All-natural detangler gives you a simple way to care for your hair with ingredients you recognize and feel good about using. And because you only need a small amount of oil in the recipe, this homemade detangler is not only effective and easy to make—it can save you money compared with purchasing bottle after bottle of store-bought detangler.
How Does DIY Hair Detangler Work?
This homemade hair detangler works by adding moisture and light conditioning to the hair, helping to soften strands and make them easier to brush through. The ingredients reduce friction between hair strands, making it easier to work through knots and tangles while minimizing pulling and breakage. With its moisturizing properties, this hair detangler is left in the hair to help maintain and protect the hair, leaving it softer, smoother, and easier to manage.
How Long Does Homemade Hair Detangler Last?
Because this DIY hair detangler contains water and does not contain a cosmetic preservative, I recommend making a small batch and using it within 2–3 weeks. Store it in a clean spray bottle away from direct sunlight and heat, and shake well before each use.
The essential oils are completely optional and are added primarily for fragrance. If you choose to use them, be sure to shake the bottle well before spraying, as the oils will naturally separate from the water-based mixture. As with any homemade product, use your best judgment and discard it if you notice any changes in smell, color, appearance, or texture. When in doubt, make a fresh batch!
How to Use Natural Hair Detangler on Matted Hair
For stubborn tangles and matted hair, start by generously spraying the homemade detangler directly onto the tangled areas before shampooing. Gently work the detangler into the hair with your fingers, making sure the matted sections are thoroughly coated. Let it sit and soak into the hair for 5–10 minutes to give the moisturizing ingredients time to soften the hair and loosen the tangles.
Before shampooing, use your fingers to gently separate and loosen the mat as much as possible, working from the ends of the hair upward toward the roots. Once you’ve loosened the hair as much as possible, use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and continue working in small sections. Avoid pulling or forcing the brush through a stubborn mat, as this can cause unnecessary breakage and discomfort. Once the tangles are soaked and loosened as much as possible, wash and condition the hair as usual. A moisturizing conditioner can provide additional slip and make the hair even easier to comb through. Repeat with more DIY tangle after shampooing for any leftover matted hair.
Tip: Because this homemade detangler contains water and no added preservatives, it's best to make it in small batches rather than storing it for long periods of time. Always use a clean spray bottle and discard the mixture if you notice any changes in its smell, color, or appearance.
DIY Detangler Ingredients
Shake DIY Detangler well before each use
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup filtered water
2 teaspoons jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil
10-12 drops of essential oil (optional)
spray bottle
Instructions
How to make DIY Hair Detangler
Add the filtered water and apple cider vinegar to a glass spray bottle and mix well. Next, add the jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil; I've used both with great results. If you're using essential oils, add them now, choosing from the suggestions below. Secure the spray bottle nozzle and shake well before each use to combine the ingredients.
Essential Oils for Detangler
Essential oils are completely optional and aren't necessary for this homemade hair detangler to work. They're primarily used to add a beautiful natural scent, so if you have a sensitive scalp or prefer fragrance-free, leave them out.
Lavender: Adds a soft, calming floral scent and pairs beautifully with jojoba or coconut oil.
Cedarwood: Adds a warm, woodsy scent and blends nicely with lavender or rosemary.
Tea Tree: Provides a clean, fresh herbal scent and is commonly used in scalp and hair-care products. You can also combine essential oils to create your own scent.
Need essential oils? Click the highlighted text to shop the recommended essential oils for this DIY hair detangler.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Lia Rose Simply Home!
Making your own hair detangler is such a simple way to replace another store-bought product with something you can easily make at home. With just a few basic ingredients, this DIY hair detangler spray helps soften hair, smooth out stubborn tangles, and make brushing a little easier. I love simple homemade solutions like this—nothing complicated, just an easy and budget-friendly alternative that works. If you’ve been looking for a homemade hair detangler to add to your hair-care routine, I hope you’ll give this one a try!
Subscribe to my email list and join me on this journey as we celebrate the joy of home, one delicious recipe and homemaking inspiration at a time.
Thank you for stopping by Lia Rose Simply Home, where you will find simple, inspirational homemaking!
Comments