Fermented Rice Water

**Neoma** · April 6th, 2021, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by sapphire-o

They didn't mention fermenting? I thought that's the most important part.

I let my rice rinse water (we eat the rice so only rinse water is used, zero waste.

) sit for 2 - 3 days, then store in the fridge. It will last another week or so before the smell is a bit off. I always rinse it out completely. Otherwise I can get zits on my scalp.

That's true, sapphire-o. I skimmed it, so I missed that. Thank you for pointing that out.

**ipickee** · April 15th, 2021, 08:55 AM

Been experimenting with this since I started (around February or so?)
Anyway, I've been throwing green tea in to seep when I make my FRW. Not sure if it helps, but I've heard so much about caffeine and hair growth, I figured it couldn't hurt.

**Nox_Inber** · April 17th, 2021, 01:10 PM

I was planning to make rice today - looks like I know what I'll be doing with my leftover rinse/soak water. There's fresh rosemary growing in the yard too.... OOooooh it's time to go concoct hair things in the kitchen

**Nox_Inber** · April 19th, 2021, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Nox_Inber

I was planning to make rice today - looks like I know what I'll be doing with my leftover rinse/soak water. There's fresh rosemary growing in the yard too.... OOooooh it's time to go concoct hair things in the kitchen

I left the mixture on my head for an hour, washed it out then double conditioned. My hair felt great when I got out of the shower but when I woke up in the morning it was soooo dry. My dry, damaged ends absolutely hated it. This was also with a deep conditioning the day before. Sigh it was worth a try but I don't think this is for me.

**sapphire-o** · April 21st, 2021, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by Nox_Inber

I left the mixture on my head for an hour, washed it out then double conditioned. My hair felt great when I got out of the shower but when I woke up in the morning it was soooo dry. My dry, damaged ends absolutely hated it. This was also with a deep conditioning the day before. Sigh it was worth a try but I don't think this is for me.

Did you let it ferment for a couple days until it's sour? I think the acidity helps hair feel smooth and shiny. When I tried just rice water my hair felt kinda rough, too.

I've been using it for over three months now.

Can't say if it helps with growth or not, but my hair feels stronger somehow. My updos stay longer. I plan to use it for 6 months or until I run out of rice.

**Nox_Inber** · April 21st, 2021, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by sapphire-o

Did you let it ferment for a couple days until it's sour? I think the acidity helps hair feel smooth and shiny. When I tried just rice water my hair felt kinda rough, too.

I've been using it for over three months now.

Can't say if it helps with growth or not, but my hair feels stronger somehow. My updos stay longer. I plan to use it for 6 months or until I run out of rice.

I let it sit for about 24 hours. It had a...hmm, smell to it? Probably just rice smell lol. I doubt it fermented enough in that time frame so that could be where my troubles are coming from. I'm out of cooked rice so I might try another batch soon and let it sit longer.

Are you using brown or white rice? It sounds like it's been doing well for you!

**sapphire-o** · April 22nd, 2021, 04:18 AM

Oh we just have white rice, usually the Calrose kind. I think they come with plenty of bacteria on them.

The sour smell is pleasant and kinda like yogurt. I tried Jasmine rice once and it just sat there for days without going sour. Maybe it's too clean.

**Neoma** · April 22nd, 2021, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by sapphire-o

Oh we just have white rice, usually the Calrose kind. I think they come with plenty of bacteria on them.

The sour smell is pleasant and kinda like yogurt. I tried Jasmine rice once and it just sat there for days without going sour. Maybe it's too clean.

I like the fragrance, too, sapphire-o. I add a few drops of peppermint oil to mine. That ricey fermented fragrance mixed with peppermint is soft and lovely.

**Shorty89** · April 23rd, 2021, 05:10 PM

Is there any way to speed up fermentation. I want to wash my hair before church on Sunday. I won't have time to do a rice water rinse that morning so I'll have to do it by Saturday night. I made the water on Wednesday but it's not sour yet. My basement is fairly cool which doesn't help. Is there a way to speed it up so it's ready for my Saturday night wash?

**ipickee** · April 26th, 2021, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Shorty89

Is there any way to speed up fermentation. I want to wash my hair before church on Sunday. I won't have time to do a rice water rinse that morning so I'll have to do it by Saturday night. I made the water on Wednesday but it's not sour yet. My basement is fairly cool which doesn't help. Is there a way to speed it up so it's ready for my Saturday night wash?

Honestly, I do three day rice water rinses all the time. Seems to work out okay for me, so I'd say just do it when you need to.