How to Make Shampoo

Many commercial shampoo and conditioner products contain ingredients such as sulfates, silicones and certain alcohols such as isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) for example that are not very nice to your hair: they can dry out and damage it over time. If you want healthy, shiny hair without harmful chemicals added you can create your own shampoo using inexpensive ingredients. Learn how to make shampoo with castile soap, with soap flakes, and with baking soda.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Soap Flakes Shampoo

  1. This shampoo recipe can be made with any type of soap flakes. Castile soap flakes are commonly used in shampoo, but you can also make shampoo using flakes you create from a regular bar of soap. [1] Just make sure the soap is made with natural ingredients that you'd want to use in your hair. You will need:
    • Soap flakes
    • Boiling water
    • Almond oil
    • Essential oils
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    [2] If you didn't buy pre-flaked soap, use a cheese grater or a knife to cut off small flakes that will dissolve in hot water. You need about 4 ounces of flakes to make a quart of shampoo. Place the flakes in a large bowl.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Pour a quart of water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil on the stove. Alternatively, heat a quart of water to boiling in the microwave.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    The boiling water will immediately dissolve the small soap flakes. Use a spoon to stir the mixture to make sure the flakes dissolve completely.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Pour in 1/4 cup almond oil and 8 drops of your favorite essential oil, like lemon balm or peppermint. Stir the mixture well and allow it to cool.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Use a funnel or simply carefully pour the shampoo into an old shampoo bottle to store it for later use.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Castile Soap Shampoo

  1. Shampoo for dry hair has ingredients that provide extra moisture and prevent the hair from getting too frizzy. Dry hair is also susceptible to getting damaged and broken, so this shampoo is made to strengthen the hair shaft. Pick up these ingredients from a health food store:
    • Chamomile tea
    • Liquid castile soap [3]
    • Olive oil
    • Tea tree essential oil
    • Peppermint essential oil
    • Rosemary essential oil
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    [4] Steep a chamomile tea bag in 2 oz. boiling water for 10 minutes. If you have loose chamomile flowers, use about 1 tablespoon. Strain the tea and set it aside to cool.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Pour 12 oz. of soap into the measuring cup. Heat the soap in the microwave in 1-minute increments until it is hot. Do not bring the soap to a boil.
    • You can also heat the soap in a small pot on the stove; just make sure it doesn't get too hot.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Stir in 1/2 oz. olive oil, 1/4 oz. tea tree oil, and 1/8 oz. each peppermint and rosemary oils. Stir the soap, gently after adding each oil. If bubbles form, spray the surface of the soap with rubbing alcohol.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Add the chamomile tea to the hot soap. Pour it slowly to avoid creating bubbles. Set the shampoo aside to cool. Transfer the cooled shampoo to the 16 oz. bottle.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Baking Soda Shampoo

  1. Baking soda shampoo is a dry alternative to regular wet shampoos. You can use it in between washing to absorb the oils in your hair and keep it looking and smelling fresh. [5] Aside from baking soda, gather these supplies:
    • Cornmeal
    • Ground oatmeal
    • Dried lavender
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup dried oatmeal and 1/8 cup dried lavender. Place the mixture in the bowl of a food processor and grind to a fine powder.
    • If you'd rather not grind the ingredients, you can skip the dried oatmeal and lavender. The shampoo will work well without these ingredients.
    • A blender or coffee grinder will work in place of a food processor.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Shampoo
    Pour it into an empty, clean salt or pepper shaker, which you can use to shake the mixture over your head when you want to use it. Store the remainder of the shampoo in an airtight container so that you can use it when it's time to refill the spice shaker.
    • Use the dry shampoo when your hair is completely dry. Otherwise, it will stick to your hair.
    • Apply the shampoo to your roots, use a brush to distribute it throughout your hair, let it sit for 10 minutes, then brush it vigorously to remove the excess powder from your hair.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use essence shampoo daily?
    Community Answer
    Don't use it daily. Go for twice a week.
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 23
  • Question
    Are any of these shampoos as thick as regular store-bought shampoos are?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the ingredients you add to it and the amounts.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 22
  • Question
    How long would the essence shampoo stay usable?
    Community Answer
    Because it has bananas and eggs, it is best to refrigerate and store for about a week. After that, it would be best to throw it out.
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      Tips

      • Experiment with different essential oils to find the combination that's right for your hair. If you have dry hair, use more oil; if you have oily hair, use less.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://stylesatlife.com/articles/how-to-make-shampoo/
      2. ↑ https://stylesatlife.com/articles/how-to-make-shampoo/
      3. ↑ https://wellnessmama.com/beauty/homemade-shampoo/
      4. ↑ https://www.earthsfriends.com/how-to-make-natural-shampoo/
      5. ↑ http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/
      6. Videos provided by Naptural85

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To make your own shampoo, start by getting a bar of soap that's made with all natural ingredients. Then, use a cheese grater or knife to cut up the soap so you have 4 ounces of soap flakes. Next, bring a quart of water to a boil and pour it over the soap flakes, which will make them dissolve. Once all of the soap flakes have dissolved, add a 1/4 cup of almond oil and 8 drops of your favorite essential oils, like peppermint and lavender oil. Finally, let your shampoo cool before transferring it to a bottle. To learn how to make shampoo using Castille soap or baking soda, scroll down!

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