While not always pleasant, we have all sorts of hair in our houses. Everything from hair in the drain to hair in our brush all the way through to pet hair. It’s a shame to throw the hair away, but what else to do with it? Can you compost hair? Why yes, you can! It’s actually very easy to compost.
After all, hair is truly organic matter. It came right from your body (or your pet’s.) It contains high levels of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other materials that are great for your compost. It actually contains many of the same materials as bones. It does break down better and without the same risk of pests.
Some researchers have found that hair has more nitrogen than fertilizer. It can be added directly to soil (though it often takes over a year to break down there, so it might not be the best idea.)
However, be somewhat careful. For example, don’t take “hair” from your vacuum and assume you can compost it. It could contain any number and type of impurities, like synthetic fibers from your carpet. Better just to throw that into the trash.
Can You Compost Pet Hair?
Yep, you sure can. Composting pet hair is the same as composting human hair.
One caveat here (or hair?) is to avoid composting pet hair that has recently been treated with any chemicals. You want to avoid adding hair to your compost pile that has been treated, such as flea and tick shampoo, baths, or other substances. These are often toxic, and you want to avoid adding them to your garden.
How Do You Compost Hair?
Hair can take quite a while to break down. Not that most of us have large amounts of hair. You want to add hair in small amounts with other green material. You want to spread it out. Then you want to turn your compost every few days to avoid the hair matting up, making it even more difficult to break down into your compost.
You want to consider hot composting for large amounts of hair, like from a barber shop or hairdresser.
How Long Does It Take Hair to Break Down In Compost?
Hair will typically break down in about three to six months if it’s not in large amounts and if you layer it with browns and other greens. You want layers of green – brown- green, etc., for best results (this is usually the case).
Wondering – can I compost hair? Yes, hair is a great addition to your compost pile. It has many of the same nutrients as bones without most of the downsides. It still takes a while to break down. It has even more nitrogen than fertilizer.
You want to ensure the hair hasn’t been treated or had toxic substances added. You also want to add a moderate amount, mix it with other green, and surround it with brown material. With that, it’s an easy addition with a lot of value for your compost.
Frequently Asked Questions for Can You Compost Hair
Can You Compost Dog Hair?
Yes. You can put dog hair in compost. Dog hair composts just fine. Add it to your compost pile, and away you go. Make sure your dog hasn’t had a flea bath recently. Otherwise, you can compost it just like human hair in compost.
Can You Compost Cat Hair?
You sure can. Cat hair is just fine to compost. You want to follow the same warnings as dog hair and human hair. Otherwise, it’s fine to add and adds a lot of nutrients.
Can You Compost Dyed Hair?
It’s best to add those beautiful non-grey locks to the trash. Dyes often contain toxic substances, and you have no way of knowing what impact that will have on your compost, plants, or you when you eat them. Best to avoid the issue entirely.
Can You Compost Wigs?
Wigs are normally synthetic materials so that they won’t break down in the compost, or they won’t break down in a predictable way. You want to throw these out or, better yet, donate them.
Even natural hair wigs could have been treated with something, and glues and such may have been used, so you want to avoid adding these to your compost.
Can You Compost Extensions?
Same thing as wigs here. You don’t want to compost extensions because they may not be an organic material, and, even if they are, they likely have inorganic material added. They likely won’t break down in your compost and could release toxic substances.
Can You Compost Hair with Worms?
Sure. With all the same caveats of no treated hair, you can add hair to your vermicomposting. It still won’t break down quickly, but the worms will help it break down.