Photo: Fuschia Foot, Flickr
I’ve told you how to make your own homemade fabric softener, deodorant, and dish detergent. But today’s homemade recipe is my favorite! I love living the natural life!
Over the past couple years, as my family has tried to cut back on toxic chemicals in our house, I’ve experimented with all sorts of organic and “all natural” shampoos. Sadly, all left me a little closer to broke and with greasy, waxy hair. Not good.
I even tried the whole ‘no poo thing. Hoping to rid myself completely of a need for any sort of “product.” After two months of trying, I learned that with my hard water it just wasn’t going to happen. (Sigh) I was beginning to think I was doomed to harsh chemicals and cleaners in order to feel like I could show my face (or head) in public again.
In one last attempt, I adapted a few recipes until I came up with this beautiful, homemade, DIY, all natural shampoo of GLORY! (Yes, I love it that much!)
Why get rid of your shampoo?
The truth is shampoo and conditioner, as we know it, is a rather new development (we’re talking just in the past 30 – 40 decades. Yes, really). Most commercial shampoos strip the scalp of its natural oils. The body, in its infinite wisdom, tries to balance itself back out, which means really greasy hair. This is why most people feel like they need to wash their hair every day or two. Because they do. Because our shampoos are destroying our natural balance. The product we need to feel less greasy is making us… well, more greasy.
This recipe is a great alternative. It’s easy, smells good, lathers good (yes!), and is much less harsh on your head. I find I only need to wash about twice a week now and my hair doesn’t get NEARLY as gross as it used to (even by day 4). Of course everyone’s hair is different, and the water in your shower can also make a difference. Make sure to give your scalp at least two weeks to adjust before giving up. You’ll probably feel a little more greasy for the first couple of days while your body’s natural oil production balances back to normal.
All natural homemade shampoo recipe
½ cup distilled water
¼ cup liquid castile soap (I like Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby mild… I can use it on my baby, too!)
2 tsp avocado oil
1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil
1/8 tsp tea tree essential oil
1 tsp vegetable glycerin
10 – 15 drops of essential oils (optional, but makes it smell goooood!)
You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local health foods store. Put the above ingredients in a bottle (you could even reuse an old shampoo bottle). Shake well before each use. Pour a little over your head. Lather good. Gentle massage in the scalp for a minute or two. Rinse completely.
The best part? This can also be used as a body wash! And since I have short-ish hair, I don’t use conditioner. This is all I use! (I usually massage a teeny bit of coconut oil into the ends of my hair when it’s still damp to condition it.)
Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
About Robin Konie
Robin is a dancer, educator, movement therapist, and (most importantly) a nature-lovin'-back-to-basics kind of mom. She has has a passion for play, creativity, and healthy living.
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