How to dilute vinegar for treating lice and nits? - briefly
Combine one part white vinegar with three parts water (approximately a 1:3 ratio) to achieve a diluted solution suitable for lice treatment. Apply the mixture to the scalp, leave for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
How to dilute vinegar for treating lice and nits? - in detail
Vinegar can be used as a chemical agent to loosen lice eggs from hair shafts, but the solution must be sufficiently diluted to avoid scalp irritation while retaining enough acidity to break down the cement that holds nits.
A typical preparation uses white distilled vinegar with a 5 % acetic acid concentration. Mix one part vinegar with three to four parts lukewarm water. This yields a solution of roughly 1–1.25 % acetic acid, which is gentle enough for most skin types yet effective at softening the nit attachment.
Preparation steps
- Measure ¼ cup (60 ml) of white vinegar.
- Add ¾ cup (180 ml) of lukewarm water; adjust to a total volume of 1 cup if a larger batch is needed.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution of acid.
- Transfer the solution to a clean spray bottle or a wide‑mouth container for easy application.
Application procedure
- Apply the diluted mixture generously to dry hair, saturating the scalp and strands from root to tip.
- Allow the liquid to sit for 5–10 minutes; the acid will swell the nit shell and loosen the glue.
- Comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb, moving from the scalp outward after each pass.
- Rinse the hair with warm water, then shampoo as usual to remove residual vinegar.
Safety and repeat treatment
- Perform a patch test on a small scalp area 10 minutes before full application; discontinue if burning or redness occurs.
- Use the solution no more than once daily for three consecutive days; repeat after seven days to target any newly hatched lice.
- Store any leftover mixture in a sealed container at room temperature; discard after 48 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Additional considerations
- Apple cider vinegar may be substituted, but its lower acetic acid content (≈4 %) requires a slightly higher proportion of vinegar to water to achieve comparable efficacy.
- Do not use undiluted vinegar directly on the scalp; the high acidity can cause chemical burns and exacerbate skin sensitivity.
- Combine the diluted vinegar treatment with a mechanical removal method (nit comb) for the highest success rate.