Aritha Powder Shampoo: How to Wash Hair with Soapnut

Spierb Aritha (Soapnut) Powder is a simple way to wash your hair with a single, plant-based ingredient instead of a conventional shampoo. This routine shows you how to turn the powder into a gentle, low-lather hair wash you can use at home when you want your scalp to feel fresh without harsh surfactants.

What this routine does

Using aritha in this way can help to:

• Gently cleanse the hair and scalp without the squeaky, stripped feeling some shampoos can leave
• Help the scalp feel lighter and less weighed down by everyday oil and product build-up
• Support a softer feel and a more natural-looking shine, especially when followed with a light conditioner
• Give you a minimal-ingredient alternative when you want to avoid stronger detergents

This is a cosmetic routine for external use only. It is not a medical treatment and will not cure scalp conditions.

Who this how-to is for

• You prefer minimal-ingredient, plant-based hair care
• Your scalp becomes oily quickly and you’d like a gentler cleanse than a strong clarifying shampoo
• Your hair feels rough or tangled after regular shampooing and you want to experiment with a different style of wash
• You are happy with your natural hair colour and mainly want your hair and scalp to feel fresher and lighter

If your hair is very lightened, fragile or heavily processed, introduce aritha gradually, watch how your hair responds over a few washes, and adjust the strength, timing and frequency as needed.

Before you start

• Patch test: Patch test 24–48 hours before first use and whenever you change your mix. If you notice irritation, redness or discomfort, rinse and do not use on the scalp.
• Protect your eyes: Aritha can sting if it gets into the eyes. Avoid the eye area and rinse well with clean water straight away if contact occurs.
• Detangle dry hair: Gently detangle your dry hair with your usual brush or a wide-tooth comb to minimise knots when rinsing.
• Choose where you’ll apply: Most people find it easiest to apply aritha in the shower, where rinsing and any drips are easy to manage.
• Gather your tools: A non-metallic bowl, spoon or whisk, measuring spoon or scales, and optionally a squeeze bottle or jug can all make the process smoother.

How to use Aritha (Soapnut) Powder to wash your hair

1. Measure your aritha powder.
   For short hair, start with around 10–15 g (roughly 1–1½ tablespoons). For shoulder-length hair, 20–25 g is usually enough, and for very long or thick hair you may need 30–40 g in total. Adjust after your first use based on how much coverage you needed.
2. Add warm water to make a smooth, pourable mix.
   Place the powder in a non-metallic bowl. Slowly add comfortably warm water while whisking or stirring. Aim for a smooth, cream-like consistency that is a little thinner than yoghurt so it can be worked through the scalp and lengths without clumping.
3. Let the mix rest for 5–10 minutes.
   Allowing the mixture to sit briefly helps the powder fully hydrate. If it thickens too much while it rests, whisk in a small splash of warm water until it returns to a pourable texture.
4. Optional: adjust the mix for your hair type.
   If your lengths feel dry easily, stir in a small amount of your usual conditioner or a few drops of a lightweight oil and focus this enriched mix mainly on the mid-lengths and ends. If your scalp becomes oily quickly, keep the mix simple with just aritha and water.
5. Wet your hair and scalp thoroughly.
   In the shower, rinse your hair with warm water until it is fully saturated. This helps the aritha mix glide on smoothly and prevents concentrated patches that might feel too strong.
6. Apply to the scalp in sections.
   Working in sections, use your fingers, a jug or a squeeze bottle to apply the mix along the scalp, similar to how you would apply shampoo. Focus on the roots and areas that usually feel the oiliest. Gently massage with your fingertips (not nails) to spread the mix; there’s no need to scrub hard.
7. Lightly work through the lengths.
   Once your scalp is covered, smooth the remaining mix down the mid-lengths and ends. A light coating is usually enough; the main focus is cleansing the scalp.
8. Leave on for 3–5 minutes.
   Twist or clip your hair up to keep it in place. This short contact time lets the aritha do its work without over-cleansing. Stay closer to 3 minutes if your hair is on the drier or more delicate side.
9. Rinse very thoroughly with warm water.
   Rinse carefully, massaging your scalp with your fingertips until the water runs clear and your hair no longer feels gritty. Pay attention to the nape of your neck and behind the ears, where residue can hide. Take your time here; thorough rinsing makes a big difference to the final feel.
10. Finish with a light conditioner if needed.
    If your ends feel a little rough while wet, apply a small amount of your usual conditioner from mid-lengths to tips, avoiding the scalp, then rinse again.

Rinsing & aftercare

• Dry gently: Squeeze out excess water with a towel or T-shirt instead of rubbing, which can create frizz and knots.
• Detangle from the ends up: Once hair is partially dry, detangle in small sections, starting at the ends and working upwards to minimise breakage.
• Style as usual: You can air-dry or blow-dry on a low setting. Many people notice their hair feels lighter and easier to manage after a few aritha washes.
• Notice how your hair responds: If it ever feels overly dry or rough, try diluting the mix a little more, reducing the contact time or following with a slightly richer conditioner on the ends.

How often to use Aritha (Soapnut) Powder

• Oily scalp or frequent styling products: Start with once or twice a week in place of one of your regular shampoos.
• Normal or combination hair: Once a week or every 10–14 days is often enough to keep the scalp feeling fresh.
• Dry, curly or very delicate hair: Try every 2–3 weeks and keep the contact time on the scalp at the shorter end of the range.

Adjust the timing based on how your hair feels. If it ever feels too dry or rough, dilute the mix further, shorten the contact time, use the routine less often, or add a little more conditioner to your aftercare.

FAQs

• Can this replace my shampoo completely?
  Some people use aritha as their main cleanser, while others alternate it with a mild shampoo. It depends on how much oil, product and pollution your hair is exposed to. Start by replacing one shampoo a week and adjust from there.
• Will aritha dry out my hair?
  Aritha is a naturally effective cleanser, so using too strong a mix or leaving it on for too long can feel drying on some hair types. If this happens, try using more water, shortening the contact time, applying a small amount of conditioner on the lengths afterwards, or using it less often.
• Is it safe on coloured or chemically treated hair?
  Many people do use aritha on coloured or chemically treated hair, but it is important to patch test first and begin with shorter contact times. Frequent strong cleansing can cause some colour types to fade more quickly, so introduce it gradually and see how your hair feels over several washes.
• Does aritha lather like shampoo?
  Aritha can create a light, low foam rather than the big bubbles you might expect from conventional shampoo. This is normal for a plant-based cleanser. Focus on gentle massage and thorough rinsing rather than the amount of visible lather.
• Does it have a strong smell or leave residue?
  Aritha has a natural, plant-based scent that usually rinses out well. As long as you rinse thoroughly, it should not leave noticeable residue. If needed, you can follow with a small amount of your usual conditioner on the lengths.
• Can I mix aritha with other herbal powders?
  Yes, some people enjoy combining aritha with powders such as shikakai or amla for different cosmetic effects. We suggest starting with plain aritha and water first, then introducing one additional powder at a time so you can see how your hair and scalp respond. Always patch test new combinations.