Why is it bad for your hair? First it strips your hair of all of its natural oils. I have always had to use a lot of conditioner to balance this out. Also, shampoo is filled with yucky stuff that gets absorbed into your skin, since skin is very porous. The chemicals used in shampoo and other household products pollute our water, killing fish and other wildlife.
So what are your best options for homemade shampoo ideas? Since every one's hair is different, it is best to try out a couple of ways and see which one works best for you. Some of these processes take a couple of weeks for your hair to regulate back to its natural state.
Remember to always use caution when trying a new homemade shampoo. Although most of the ingredients recommended are natural, you could still have an allergic reaction. Never use on babies or children without consulting their doctors. Also remember that pets will lick their fur after you wash them, so it is best not to use homemade shampoos on them.
My personal favorite (and the cheapest option!) is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Yeah I know it sounds weird but it really works! Well for me it does. It is very simple. Simply mix a tablespoon or two of baking soda with warm water. Pour over the top of your head, and gently rub into your scalp. You don't have to worry so much about the ends of your hair, just concentrate on your scalp. Rinse your hair well. I do this twice, as it seems to keep my hair from being oily.
Next fill a spray bottle with equal parts apple cider vinegar, and water. Spray the ends of your hair. Let the vinegar sit in your hair for about a minute, then rinse. Don't worry, the vinegar smell will go away after your rinse your hair. You may need to experiment to find out how much baking soda and vinegar your hair will need.
I find that my hair is very easy to brush after I wash it using this method. If your hair is very tangled after doing this, you could use a little No More Tears by Johnson and Johnson. It will help detangle your hair. Just a tiny bit on the ends of your hair should do the trick. Some people use olive oil or jojoba oil, but I would start with a very small amount on the ends of your hair.
If you have been using regular shampoo your whole life, it may take up to 6 weeks for your hair to regulate. Trust me though, it is worth it! Your scalp just needs time to regulate the amount of oil it produces. Since it is used to being stripped of natural oil, it may over compensate for awhile. You might get lucky like me and my husband did, and have it work right away. This combination can also help people who suffer from dandruff.
You can also either grow soap wort or buy it dried online or at a health food store. Soap wort is a small flowering shrub that contains a natural detergent. When dried soap wort leaves or stems are boiled, it will create a wonderful rinse that can be used as shampoo. Here is a recipe for soap wort shampoo.
Another option is to make your own homemade shampoo using castile soap. Just use equal parts castile soap (which can be found on Amazon or at most health food stores), and water. You will also want to add a tablespoon or so of jojoba oil, grape seed oil, or olive oil. You may need to play around with the amount of oil you use. If you buy your soap in bulk, this will save you money and packaging. The mixture lasts for about a week, so only make as much as you use in a week.
If you don't really want to make your own soap, or if baking soda doesn't work for your hair, you can buy bar soap made especially for hair. Etsy has some shops that offer this. Just search for "bar shampoo" and you will find many options. Although it may not be the cheapest option, when you consider the health and environmental benefits, it is worth it! Check with the shop owners to see if they give discounts for buying the bars in bulk. You can also make your own shampoo bar soap with this recipe.
Enjoy!!
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