How should vinegar be diluted to remove lice and nits at home? - briefly
Mix one part white distilled vinegar with one part water, apply to saturated hair, cover for 5–10 minutes, then comb with a fine‑tooth nit comb. Repeat the procedure after 48 hours to eliminate any newly hatched lice.
How should vinegar be diluted to remove lice and nits at home? - in detail
Vinegar’s acidity disrupts the protein bond that secures nits to hair shafts, allowing easier removal. A solution with a concentration that balances effectiveness and scalp tolerance is required.
A practical dilution consists of one part white distilled vinegar mixed with three parts lukewarm water. This ratio yields a pH low enough to weaken the nit cement while remaining gentle on skin. For individuals with sensitive scalps, a 1 : 4 ratio may be used, though effectiveness may be reduced.
Application steps:
- Fill a spray bottle with the prepared mixture.
- Saturate the hair, ensuring full coverage from scalp to tips.
- Allow the solution to remain for 10–15 minutes; the low pH penetrates the nit attachment.
- Use a fine-toothed nit comb, moving from the scalp outward, to extract loosened nits and lice.
- Rinse hair with plain water to remove residual vinegar.
Safety precautions:
- Conduct a patch test on a small skin area 30 minutes before full application.
- Avoid contact with eyes; if exposure occurs, rinse immediately with water.
- Wear gloves if the solution is applied by another person.
- Do not apply on broken or inflamed skin.
Repeat the treatment after 7 days to address any newly hatched lice. Follow with a second session after 14 days if live insects are still detected. Continuous combing with a nit comb after each wash helps confirm eradication.
«Vinegar has a pH of about 2.5, which helps dissolve the glue that holds nits». This property underlies the recommended dilution and application protocol.