Over the past decade or so, rice water has exploded in popularity within the natural hair community. Many naturals have tried it and love how soft and manageable it leaves their hair, even though what ends up in the jar is mostly water and starch.
Making rice water (sometimes called water rice or hair rice) is relatively easy, especially if you've got a good set of instructions in front of you.
But what's not as well known about rice water is whether the water expires.
Does rice water expire? Can you use old rice water? Before you whip up a big batch of rice water and stick the leftovers in the fridge, read this article. We're going to take a look at how long rice water lasts and give you tips on how to store rice water safely for reuse.
Does Rice Water Expire?
Yes, rice water expires, and quickly. Plain rice water keeps for about 3 to 5 days in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator, and fermented rice water for about 3 days. These are practical guidelines, not tested safety limits, since no study has measured how long a homemade batch stays safe on hair. Rice water doesn’t contain any preservatives, so it has an extremely short shelf life. At room temperature, bacteria can start multiplying within hours, so if you want to make the water ahead of time, you'll have to take precautionary measures to keep it fresh.
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However, it is essential to check the water for any signs of spoilage, such as mold, slime, a color change, or an off smell, before using it. (Cloudiness on its own is normal; that’s the starch.) If you notice any of these indications, it is best to discard the rice water and prepare a fresh batch. Some people add tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract as a natural preservative, but neither is a reliable fix. When a lab tested commercial grapefruit seed extracts, their germ-fighting power came from synthetic preservatives mixed into them, and no study shows that a few drops of tea tree oil keep rice water fresh.
This Is How Long Rice Water Takes to Expire
How long your rice water lasts depends on how you store it. In this section, we'll walk you through how long rice water takes to go bad under different storage conditions.
In the Refrigerator
Fermentation fills rice water with live bacteria and yeasts. When researchers sequenced the microbes in fermented rice water, they found a mixed crowd of bacteria, and only some of them were the potentially helpful kind. Use a fermented batch within about 3 days, and don’t re-warm it once it’s been in the fridge.
The cold of the fridge slows that growth down, but it doesn’t stop it. If you prefer rice water that’s not fermented, store it in the fridge and use it within about 3 to 5 days.
At Room Temperature
Storing rice water at room temperature creates the perfect environment for microbial growth. When left at room temperature, the water will start to ferment within the first 24 hours. There’s no tested safe time on the counter, so put plain rice water in the fridge as soon as you make it. For fermentation, leave a batch out for 12 to 24 hours at most, then move it straight to the fridge.
In the Freezer
Freezing your rice water pauses germ growth, but it doesn’t kill anything. Once a portion thaws, any germs in it can start multiplying again, so treat it like a fresh batch: keep it in the fridge and use it within a few days.
Want to freeze a big batch of rice water?
Break up your rice water into smaller portions so you only have to thaw out what you need. You can use an ice cube tray and transfer the cubes into an airtight container once they've solidified.
Note: Whether you use fermented or plain rice water is up to you, but no study shows fermented rice water works better on hair, and plain soaked rice water is the lower-risk choice. Either way, freeze it or store it in the fridge right away. The cold slows fermentation and spoilage down, but it doesn’t stop them.
What Happens If You Use Expired Rice Water?
Using expired rice water means putting mold and bacteria on your scalp. On healthy, unbroken skin, a rinse usually washes off without a problem, but there’s no reason to take the chance, so pour out an old batch. Skip homemade rice water altogether if your scalp is broken, raw, or flaking, if you have eczema or dermatitis, or if your immune system is weakened.
Rice water, fresh or old, can also leave your hair feeling stiff. That often gets called protein overload, but rice water is mostly starch, and buildup is the more likely cause. Either way, your hair can feel:
- Dull
- Lifeless
- Dry
- Brittle
Signs Rice Water Has Gone Bad
Rice water doesn't last forever, so you'll have to keep an eye out for signs that it's gone bad. Here are some signs that your rice water has expired and needs to be thrown away.
The Rice Water Smells Off
An unpleasant smell is one of the first signs that your rice water has gone bad. Fresh rice water has a light, pleasant scent that smells like the rice you used to make it.
On the other hand, fermented rice water should smell faintly sour, since bacteria and yeasts are growing in it. When it starts to spoil, that smell turns sharp or unpleasant.
Expired rice water can smell like it’s rotting. But a normal smell doesn’t prove a batch is safe, so go by the day you made it too. And if you can see mold, don’t sniff the jar at all; just pour it out.
The Texture Has Changed
A change in texture is another sign that your rice water has started to grow unwanted bacteria or mold. Fresh rice water made by soaking is thin and watery, though boiled rice water starts out thicker. If you notice your water has become sludgy, slimy, or sticky, discard it and make a new batch.
Texture changes can be hard to see, but it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health.
The Rice Water Has Changed Color
Fresh rice water is a pale, light-colored liquid. Some cloudy sediments might collect at the bottom as the starches settle. If the water suddenly takes on a darker color, it's a sign that chemical changes have taken place. Discard your rice water right away and whip up a new batch.
You See Mold Starting to Grow
Mold is one of the most easily recognizable signs that your rice water has spoiled. Rice water is naturally cloudy, and the starch that settles at the bottom of the jar is white.
Mold, on the other hand, grows as fuzzy or thread-like patches, and it isn’t always dark; some molds are white. Throw the water away as soon as you see growth of any kind.
Keep in mind that if you make fermented rice water, you might see a film or growth on the surface. You can’t tell yeast from mold by looking, so don’t skim it off and keep the batch; pour it out.
Your Hair Feels Dry and Brittle
Have you already used your rice water? If you notice that your post-treatment hair feels different from how it usually does, throw away the remainder of that batch.
If your hair feels stiff, dull, or dry after a rinse, the likely cause is starch buildup. Wash it with a clarifying shampoo, give rice water a break for two or three wash days, and add more water to your next batch to make it weaker. A moisturizing conditioner after every rice water rinse helps too.
How to Make Rice Water Last Longer
Now that you know how long rice water lasts, you might be left wondering if there's anything you can do to help preserve it. No one wants to whip up a fresh batch every time they want to use rice water, so here are some tips to help it last longer:
- Make a small batch, so you can use it up within a few days.
- Don’t count on essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, lemongrass, or rosemary to preserve it. No study shows that a few drops keep rice water fresh, and some oils can irritate your skin.
- Store your rice water in an airtight container.
- Keep your treatment away from sunlight.
- Make your rice water with distilled or purified water if you like, but know that rice carries its own germs, so clean water alone doesn’t make a clean batch.
- Make sure everything that touches your rice water has been cleaned or sterilized ahead of time.
- Wash the bottle between batches, and never top up an old batch with a new one.
- Skip fermentation if you want a batch to keep. Fermented rice water has the shortest shelf life, about 3 days in the fridge, and since a jar on your counter isn’t controlled, you can’t know its final pH either.
- Rinse your rice thoroughly before you make your rice water.
Does Fermented Rice Water Expire?
Yes. Fermented rice water has the shortest shelf life of any rice water, so use it within about 3 days in the fridge. Fermenting allows live bacteria and yeasts to grow in the water, and not all of them are the helpful kind. A faint sour smell is normal, but a sharp smell, slime, a color change, or any visible growth means it has gone bad.
Is Expired Rice Water Good for Hair?
Expired rice water is not suitable for hair. It can carry mold and bacteria, which aren't worth putting on your scalp, especially if your scalp is broken, irritated, or affected by eczema. Rice water of any age can also leave hair feeling stiff or dry. Look out for indications that it's gone bad, such as mold growth or a sharp, unpleasant smell.
How Do You Preserve Rice Water for Hair?
To preserve rice water for hair, store it in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. Refrigeration helps to slow down the growth of bacteria that may spoil the water. Use a clean container, make a small batch, and use it within a few days. Essential oils and filtered water won't keep it fresh, since the rice carries its own germs.
Can I Freeze Rice Water to Extend Its Shelf Life?
Freezing pauses germ growth in rice water, but it doesn't kill anything, so once a portion thaws, keep it in the fridge and use it within a few days. Use a freezer-safe container. When freezing rice water, it is essential to leave some space at the top of the container because the water expands as it freezes.
What Are the Signs That Rice Water Has Gone Bad?
Signs that rice water has gone bad include an unpleasant smell, discoloration, or mold growth. If there is discoloration or mold growth, it may also indicate that bacteria have started to grow in the rice water. If you notice these indications that water has gone bad, it should not be used on your hair or within your beauty routine (e.g., skin).
Can You Use Old Rice Water?
Rice water can go bad, and you shouldn't use old water because it can carry mold and bacteria. A batch that has been kept in the fridge and is only a few days old can be used on hair. However, don't apply rice water to your hair if there are any indications that the water has gone bad.
How Can I Make Rice Water Last Longer and Prevent Spoilage?
To make rice water last as long as it can, refrigerate it as soon as it is made, or freeze it in small portions, and keep it in a clean, airtight container. Essential oils like peppermint or rosemary oil are not proven preservatives and can irritate your scalp, so don't count on them. Even in the fridge, plan to use plain rice water within about 3 to 5 days.
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Rice water can be a nice addition to your hair care routine, and it may help cut down on breakage. It’s mostly water and starch, though, so it won’t make your hair grow longer or fuller.
Just make sure you aren't doing more harm than good, and avoid using rice water once it’s more than a few days old. We hope this article has helped explain that although rice water spoils quickly, taking the proper precautions and correctly storing it will help extend its life.
