10 Recipes for Natural Hair Detanglers

All-Natural Homemade Recipes With Step-by-Step Instructions

By
Joanna Parkman
Joanna Parkman
Joanna Parkman
Writer
  • Duke University, Sewanee: The University of the South

Joanna is an environmental protection specialist, science writer, and clean beauty writer. Her focuses are floodplain management, coastal resilience, environmental justice, nature-based solutions, and clean beauty DIY recipes.

Learn about our editorial process
Updated June 7, 2024
woman in floral robe runs bamboo comb through tangled hair

Treehugger / Sanja Kostic

Do you ever wish you had an easily accessible natural hair detangler? Nearly all of us have experienced the pain and frustration of tangled, knotted hair. But what exactly causes these tangles? As it turns out everything you do—or don't do—may be causing your knots, from wind, exercise, and sleeping to dryness, styling, the natural texture of your hair, infrequent brushing or combing, and more.

Whether you struggle to run a comb through your hair after a swim, or you simply can’t undo your ponytail without forceful yanking, you risk hair breakage each time. Since there’s little chance of avoiding knots altogether, your best defense is an easy-to-apply spray detangler or leave-in conditioner. Unfortunately, commercial detangling products that you might find at your local drugstore are all too often loaded with harmful chemicals.

Here's the solution: These 10 DIY hair detangler recipes with all-natural ingredients will eliminate tangles without damaging your hair or the environment.

1
of 10

Apple Cider Vinegar Detangler

A bottle of apple cider vinegar with fresh apples
Madeleine_Steinbach / Getty Images

You might associate apple cider vinegar with salad dressing or lemon water, but this all-purpose ingredient is just the thing to loosen tangles and soften hair.

Steps

  1. Combine 1.5 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 5 drops of lavender oil in a 2-ounce glass spray bottle. 
  2. Let the mixture sit for roughly 10 minutes.
  3. Add water until the remainder of the bottle is full. 
  4. After replacing the spray cap, thoroughly shake the bottle. 
  5. Apply your new detangler all over damp hair after shampooing and comb through with ease.
2
of 10

Kid-Friendly Jojoba Oil Spritz

Jojoba oil in a bottle with a dropper on a wooden table with ripe jojoba fruits. Chinese date oil and fruit
Oleksandr Shatyrov / Getty Images

After a rough-and-tumble day at school, there’s no telling what your child’s hair will look like. If you’re sick of the post-bathtime detangling wars, look no further than this jojoba oil-based spray.

Steps

  1. Combine 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil with 10 drops of geranium essential oil in a 4-ounce glass spray bottle.
  2. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water.
  3. Gently shake before use and lightly apply on wet or dry hair as needed.
3
of 10

Aloe Vera Hydrating Spray

Resin of a slice of Aloe Vera

Xavi Talleda / Getty Images

Aloe vera is much more than a sunburn soother or a refreshing juice ingredient, and this three-ingredient recipe will prove it to you. The gel from this powerhouse of a plant smoothes out tangles, allowing a comb to glide right through your hair.

Steps

  1. Mix one part vegetable glycerin, one part aloe vera gel, and four parts water. 
  2. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired. 
  3. Transfer to a small glass spray bottle and gently shake.
  4. Apply lightly to hair after showering to make combing pain-free.
4
of 10

Coconut Oil Treatment

coconut oil and coconuts, palm branches close up
White Bear Studio / Getty Images

Coconut oil’s uses seem infinite, and that’s especially true for anything hair care-related. This simple single-ingredient treatment is specifically tailored for matted hair.

Steps

  1. Massage melted coconut oil to any problem areas, from roots to tips.
  2. Wrap a hot towel—add a touch of peppermint essential oil for some aromatherapy benefits—around your head, and allow your hair to absorb the steam.
  3. Remove the towel once it has cooled and comb out your hair. 
  4. If you have fine hair that tends to look greasy with oil treatments, shampoo and rinse your hair afterward.
5
of 10

Rosemary and Peppermint Aromatic Spray

Herbal essential oil. Rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, aloe vera, pepermint and fir oil for aromatherapy, wellness, skin care, herbal remedies
Andres Victorero / Getty Images

If you’re a fan of essential oils and want a therapeutic experience while you detangle, this spray is your best choice. Rosemary oil and peppermint oil team up to invigorate your senses.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
  • 6 ounces of water
  • 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
  • 1 teaspoon argan oil
  • 10 drops of rosemary oil
  • 10 drops of peppermint oil

Steps

  1. Combine vegetable glycerin, water, vitamin E oil, argan oil, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil in an 8-ounce glass spray bottle.
  2. Shake to thoroughly mix ingredients.
  3. Apply all over hair, with particular attention to any problem areas, and comb out.
  4. Store at room temperature, but be sure to use your homemade detangler within two weeks.
6
of 10

Leave-in Detangling Conditioner

Close-up of orange with bottle and leaves on table

Florin Petrescu / Getty Images

This leave-in conditioner offers a great alternative to detangling sprays. With few ingredients and simple instructions, you’ll only need five minutes to whip up a batch.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
  • 5 tablespoons water
  • 10 drops of orange essential oil

Steps

  1. Combine aloe vera gel, vegetable glycerin, water, and orange essential oil in a small glass bottle.
  2. Shake until thoroughly mixed. 
  3. Apply to hair and comb as usual.
  4. Shampoo and rinse after one to two days.
7
of 10

Flaxseed Detangler

Small bottle of flax oil

Kazmulka / Getty Images

For a quick recipe using ingredients easily available at your local grocery store, check out this DIY spray. 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1.5 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Steps

  1. Add flaxseed and water to a small saucepan. 
  2. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. 
  3. Strain out the seeds using a fine mesh colander and add them to your compost.
  4. Add olive oil to the remaining liquid and stir. 
  5. Add apple cider vinegar.
  6. Allow the mixture to cool before transferring to a small glass spray bottle. 
  7. Apply all over your hair and comb through to distribute, especially if your mixture is on the thicker side. Alternatively, add slightly more water to create more of a fine mist.
  8. Store your spray in the refrigerator for the best results.
8
of 10

Detangling Spray for Natural Hair

Olive oil, loofah sponge and wooden hairb rush. Ingredients for preparing homemade mask. Natural beauty treatment recipe and zero waste concept. Top view, copy space.

Kazmulka / Getty Images

To keep your natural hair tangle-free, consider this quick and easy spray. With nourishing ingredients like olive oil and coconut oil, your hair will thank you.

Steps

  1. Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, and 1/4 cup of warm water in a small spray bottle. 
  2. Shake the bottle to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed. 
  3. Spray all over hair and massage in.
  4. After running your fingers through your hair, comb out any remaining knots.
  5. Remember to soak your spray bottle in warm water before using it if it has returned to a more solid form.
9
of 10

Ylang-Ylang Floral Spray

Cananga Flower (Cananga odorata)
Ar razzaq / Getty Images

Ylang-ylang oil is the star of this aromatic detangler. The delicate floral scent will make you reach for this hair mist even when there are no tangles in sight.

Steps

  1. Combine 20 drops of ylang-ylang oil, a 1/2 cup of argan oil, and 20 drops of rosemary oil in a small spray bottle.
  2. Gently invert the bottle several times to thoroughly mix before use. 
  3. Apply to damp hair and comb out from your ends up to your roots.
10
of 10

Anti-Frizz Marshmallow Root Spray

Dried marshmallow root
Dimijana / Getty Images

This DIY detangling mist does double duty by loosening knotted hair and taming fly-aways. The marshmallow root and aloe vera team up to hydrate and smooth even the worst tangles.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons marshmallow root
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 20 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 10 drops of rosemary essential oil
  • 1 tablespoon argan oil

Steps

  1. Combine marshmallow root and water in a small saucepan.
  2. Raise to a low boil and keep on heat until half of the original liquid remains.
  3. Pour contents into a small bowl over a strainer. Remove the marshmallow root from the strainer and place it in your compost bin.
  4. Once the marshmallow root liquid has cooled, pour it into an 8-ounce glass spray bottle.
  5. Add aloe vera gel, lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil, and argan oil.
  6. Spray all over your hair to reduce frizz and eliminate tangles. 
  7. Keep your spray bottle in the fridge. Replace with a new batch every two weeks.