I don’t know about you, but I got tired ages ago of buying shampoo. I think it’s expensive and I know there are ways to go about not using it, so I hopped on that bandwagon. Now I’m going to encourage you to climb on up.
So you’ve probably heard about the “No ‘Poo” method (a phrase I despise) that using a baking soda paste and an apple cider vinegar rinse, which is certainly effective on my hair (which is cropped super short and is baby fine) but maybe less effective on thick or long hair.
So I’ve scoured the Interweb for different homemade shampoos and hair treatments for you (including one that is pet-friendly.)
DIY Hair Care Methods
Shampoo
Number 1: Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
I talked about this one already, it’s super easy and super cheap.
Put a few teaspoons of baking soda in a dish and take that to the shower. A few drops of water will turn the baking soda into a paste. Scrub that into your scalp. Rinse your hair and then at the end of your shower, pour apple cider vinegar onto your scalp (use a squeeze bottle for this) and then rinse your hair with clean water.
No. You won’t smell like vinegar at all.
Number 2: Tea Shampoo
Boil water and use a combination of the dried herbs to make a tea.
3⁄4 cup distilled water
1 tbsp peppermint
1 tbsp lavender
1 tbsp nettle
1 tbsp rosemary
Once the tea has steeped and cooled, add the following ingredients.
1⁄4 cup liquid castile soap or vegetable glycerin
1⁄2 tsp salt
1 tbsp witch hazel (alcohol-free, plain, or scented) or aloe gel
optional:
5 – 10 drops essential oils like rosemary, lavender or ylang-ylang
Stir and store in a squeeze bottle. It will last a few weeks in your shower or longer in the fridge.
DIY Hair Care Treatments
Number 3: Avocado Hair Mask
1 avocado (the softer the better)
1⁄2 cup mayonnaise or coconut milk
Mash avocado and mix with mayonnaise or coconut milk to make a paste.
Comb through hair and cover your head with a towel. Leave for 20 minutes. Rinse, shampoo, and rinse again.
Number 4: Guacamole Hair Mask
1 Brown Avocado
1 TSP of real lemon juice
1 TSP of sea salt
1 TSP of aloe gel
Mash avocado and combine ingredients into paste.
Comb through hair and cover your head with a towel. Leave for 20 – 30 minutes. Rinse, shampoo, and rinse again.
Number 5: Lavender Rosemary Hair Oil
(This one works best if left in overnight. You can wrap your hair in plastic wrap to increase the benefits)
2 – 5 drops lavender essential oil
2 – 5 drops rosemary essential oil
1 tsp sweet almond oil or olive oil
Mix together and let mellow a few hours to blend.
APPLICATION OPTIONS:
1) Put drops of oil mixture in your hand and then run your hairbrush across your hand. Brush hair. Store mixture in a dark place.
2) Warm it up in the microwave 10 seconds, blend
and massage into scalp. Make sure it’s not too hot! Wrap your head with a warm towel and leave in for 45 minutes. Wash out and rinse with cold water. Keep out of your eyes.
CAUTION: Do not use rosemary or lavender oil if you are pregnant.
Hair Styling
1 lemon (for fine hair) or orange (for dry hair)
2 cups distilled water
Chop fruit (with peel) and add water. Combine in pot and boil until the mixture has reduced by half. Pour through strainer to remove pulp and peel. Put in spray bottle. To extend shelf life, add 1 ounce rubbing alcohol.
(You can also use unscented, color-free aloe vera gel to help style your hair)
Bonus: Pet Shampoo
3⁄4 cup distilled water
1⁄4 cup unscented or scented liquid castile soap (or vegetable glycerin)
1 tbsp aloe gel
optional: (Do not use this option if you’re giving a cat a bath. Cats cannot digest essential oils and they build up within their systems, making them sick. Dogs are capable of digesting essential oils, so they’ll be good.)
5 – 10 drops any combination of anti-flea essential oils including rosemary, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint, and citronella. Add a drop of each or purchase an anti-flea essential oil blend from a local herbalist or health food store.
Add all ingredients into an old squirt bottle. Shake before each use. Rinse well and avoid the eye area.
