Nothing can ruin a fun night of hot pot quite like the lingering aroma in your hair the next day. As much as you love dipping meats and veggies into that flavorful broth, having your locks smell like beef or lamb 24/7 isn’t so appealing. Don’t worry – with some simple kitchen ingredients and techniques, you can get that hot pot smell out of your hair in no time.
The key is to clarify and deodorize your hair. Start by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply this mixture to dry hair, concentrating on the ends where smells cling most stubbornly. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing clean. The baking soda will help absorb and neutralize odors.
Follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse – the vinegar helps remove any lingering smells. Dilute 1/4 cup ACV in 2 cups water and pour over hair after shampooing. Rinse thoroughly with cool water, which also helps close cuticles and lock in cleanliness.
With the power of pantry staples, you can banish that hot pot aroma. Use these simple, natural tricks to restore fresh, clean-smelling locks after your next spicy hot pot session. Now you can fully indulge without scent-related regret!
Diagnose the Issue
First, figure out how bad the hot pot smell situation is. Give your hair a sniff – where is the odor most concentrated? For many people, hot pot aroma clings mostly to the ends of the hair rather than the roots. That’s because smells more easily stick to older hair that is more porous and damaged. So don’t despair – with targeted treatment, you can likely get the majority of the smell out.
Clarify With Baking Soda
One of the most effective ways to remove odors from hair is with a baking soda clarifying treatment. The alkaline baking soda helps neutralize and lift out smells. Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply this all over dry hair, concentrating on the ends. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing clean. Baking soda can be drying, so use a moisturizing conditioner after. But the baking soda treatment will pull out a significant amount of the lingering hot pot essence.
Rinse With Apple Cider Vinegar
For more clarifying and deodorizing power, follow up your baking soda wash with an apple cider vinegar rinse. The vinegar helps restore your hair’s natural pH levels after the alkaline baking soda. Plus, the acetic acid in vinegar breaks down odor molecules. Dilute 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar in 2 cups water. After shampooing, pour the solution over your hair and let sit briefly before rinsing out. Your locks will smell fresh and free of hot pot fumes.
Use Tomato Juice For Stubborn Smells
If your hair still smells strongly of hot pot, try this trick. Puree 1 peeled tomato into juice. Apply the juice to your dry hair and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing out in the shower. The acids in tomato juice act as a natural deodorizer to remove stubborn hot pot smells from your strands. Follow with shampoo and conditioner as usual.
Mask With Lemon Juice
Similar to tomato juice, fresh lemon juice also helps eliminate unpleasant aromas from hair. Mix 2 tablespoons lemon juice with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Apply this mask to your hair and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing clean. The vitamin C and citric acid in lemons neutralize odors for fresher smelling locks.
Switch Up Your Routine
Going forward, you can make small tweaks to your regular hair care routine to prevent hot pot smells from overpowering your hair again. When washing, concentrate your shampoo mostly on your ends rather than scalp to remove oils and smells from your most porous hair. Also, rinse your hair with cooler water – hot water opens up follicles, allowing more smells to stick.
Use Dry Shampoo Between Washes
Spray or sprinkle dry shampoo at your roots to absorb oils and smells. Let it sit before brushing out. Dry shampoo is great for freshening up hair between washes. But use an actual shampoo regularly too to deep clean.
Don’t Wash Too Often
It may be tempting to over-wash your hair to try getting out the hot pot smell. But too much washing can dry out your strands and scalp, causing your hair to become even more prone to holding odors. Stick to washing every other day or every 2-3 days to keep hair balanced.
Condition Well After Washing
Always use a hydrating conditioner after shampooing. Conditioner seals cuticles, leaving hair smooth and less porous so smells don’t stick as readily. Let your conditioner sit for a few minutes before rinsing for maximum effect.
Mask Weekly
Use a weekly hydrating hair mask to increase moisture levels and seal the cuticle. Good options are masks with oils like coconut, argan, avocado or olive oil. The oils’ fatty acids nourish hair and leave it less vulnerable to odors clinging.
Trim Regularly
Get hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks to remove splits and damage that can trap smells. This helps prevent hot pot aroma from taking up permanent residence in your locks!
FAQs About Removing Hot Pot Smell from Hair
Q: Will the smell eventually fade on its own?
A: Unfortunately the lingering hot pot aroma likely won’t fade from your hair on its own. The smell tends to cling to hair fibers and remain until treated. Using clarifying ingredients like baking soda and vinegar helps actively lift and dissolve hot pot odors.
Q: Can I use lemon instead of vinegar?
A: Absolutely! Fresh lemon juice works just as well as apple cider vinegar to remove odors from hair. Simply dilute lemon juice in water and rinse through your hair after shampooing to help eliminate hot pot smell.
Q: How often should I do a baking soda treatment?
A: Only use baking soda on your hair once or twice a month at most. Baking soda is alkaline so can dry out your hair if overused. Use gentler ingredient treatments in between baking soda clarifying sessions.
Q: My hair still smells a little – what should I do?
A: If a smell is still lingering after your initial treatment, try repeating the baking soda and vinegar rinse. You can also blend up fresh tomato juice and apply it to your hair as a deodorizing mask. Leaving it on for 20+ minutes before rinsing may help remove stubborn hot pot aroma.
Q: Any tips for preventing the smell next time?
A: Before going to hot pot, coat your hair in an oil or protective serum to help block smells from absorbing as much. Keep your hair pulled back away from the pot when cooking. And wash your hair with shampoo as soon as possible after eating to help prevent lasting odors.
Protect Between Hot Pot Sessions
Before going to your next hot pot dinner, coat your hair in a protective serum or oil. This adds a barrier to help keep smells from saturating your strands. Focus on your ends – they are the most porous part of your hair.
With the right targeted hair care strategies, you can enjoy delicious hot pot while keeping your hair fresh, clean and free of lingering smells. Follow these tips, and you won’t have to sacrifice your luscious locks for your hot pot obsession.
