Back to Basics

For the past couple of years as I have blogged, I have written of things to make at home. Food of course but,also common articles found around the house.  I have done this to make life easier, to be "green" and protect Mother Earth, to end our use of unwanted chemicals in household products, to lower the cost of an item, oh, just lots of reasons. In that vein, here's another one of those back to basics postings. 

 
There are many reasons why you might like to try making your
own homemade shampoo. First, you may be appalled at the
unpronounceable ingredients in your current hair products. The
FDA doesn't regulate companies making personal care products,
so who knows what you are putting on your hair?
 
Secondly, commercial hair products strip your hair of natural
oils and mess up the chemical makeup of your hair, causing you
to turn to more products to fix the problem. Going the
natural, homemade way will bring your hair back into balance
the way nature intended.
 
Natural shampoo is also better for the environment. The harsh
chemicals in most store-bought products go directly down your
drain and into the water supply. Anyone care for a little
shampoo in your freshly made lemonade?
 
Don't forget about your home. Shampoo residues can wreak havoc
on your pipes, not to mention the buildup that requires a
professional plumber once or twice a year.
 
The most compelling reason to try homemade shampoo is cost.
Making your own products takes just a fraction of the cost of
constantly buying shampoo, especially with the climbing costs
of everything these days.
 
Okay, I've convinced you to try it. Here are two basic recipes
to try. They are safe for all hair types, but you may have to
adjust the amounts slightly for better individual results.
 
Basic Shampoo
 
1/2 cup baking soda
3 cups warm water
 
Mix in a clean container with a lid. Shake before each use.
 
Rinse
 
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
 
For a lighter rinse, try:
 
1 TBSP vinegar
1 cup water
 
Now, if you've ever tried homemade shampoo before, you may
have been turned off by the smell. Here's where the fun
begins! You can add essential oils in any scent, depending on
your mood. Try peppermint to wake you up, soothing chamomile,
relaxing lavender, or coconut and vanilla for an exotic mix to
transport your senses.
 
The baking soda shampoo alone can dry hair out, so the vinegar
rinse is to restore the hair to its natural pH level. There is
usually a two-week transitional period while your hair and
scalp adjust to the new routine. If it is unusually oily, do a
lemon or lime rinse instead of the vinegar three times a week.
Just squeeze a half lemon on your hair, massage it in, and
rinse thoroughly. If your hair dries out, add 1/4 teaspoon of
light oil to the shampoo.
 
Castile Shampoo
 
You need:
 
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup liquid Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's, which you can
find cheaply on Amazon; you can also get awesome, organic
Castile soap from health food stores)
1/2 teaspoon oil (like jojoba, olive oil, or grape seed)
 
Mix all the ingredients into a plastic or glass bottle and
you're good to go!
 
As with any shampoo, don't wash your hair every day. As your
hair responds to the natural shampoo, it will become shinier,
more healthy, and manageable. As eating healthier makes our
bodies feel good, using homemade shampoo makes hair healthier
and prettier. So if you want beautiful hair without spending a
fortune, why not try homemade shampoo today?