Astronaut Hygiene in Orbit: Nyberg Washes Her Hair in Space (Video)

In space, everything is more difficult. You have to adapt to the low levels of gravity, employing different techniques to conduct day-to-day efforts. Yet possibly one of the most difficult tasks is one that we perform on Earth almost every day: washing hair.

"I've had a lot of people ask me how I wash my hair in space, and I thought I'd show you how I do it," said American astronaut Karen Nyberg in a new video she posted on YouTube and Twitter on Tuesday.

A mechanical engineer, Nyberg is part of Expedition 36 on the International Space Station. Like the other astronauts currently living aboard the ISS, she has to deal with the daily challenges of living in space. Yet unlike the other astronauts, Nyberg possesses long, blonde locks that she has to contend with while in orbit.

There are several essential tools while washing your hair in orbit. One of this is a comb, then there's no-rinse shampoo in a squeeze bottle, a small pouch of water and a towel. Together, Nyberg uses them to manage her hair while in space.

Sound easy? It's not. The water has a tendency to float away if you're not careful. Because of this, Nyberg has to be diligent when she squeezes out the droplets of water and carefully combs them through her vertical hair, sticking up like stalks of wheat from her scalp.

"Sometimes I'll take my comb and help work it all the way to the ends. Then I like to take my towel while I have the shampoo in there and work it," said Nyberg in the video. "Because without standing under running water, you kind of need to use the towel a little bit to help get some of the dirt out."

It's a good thing that Nyberg has the technique down. She's scheduled to remain on the ISS for quite some time. She won't return home to Earth until November.

Want to see Nyberg demonstrate how to live in space for yourself? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube and NASA.