Sustainable Swaps: How to Make DIY Shampoo Bars with Herbs
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As someone striving for a sustainable lifestyle, I often reflect on ways to swap out single-use items in my everyday life. Recently, I took a closer look at my self-care routine, particularly in the shower, where I found myself surrounded by numerous plastic bottles. There was also a collection of unused haircare products—my "graveyard" of failed experiments—that added up to far more plastic than I was comfortable keeping in an otherwise eco-friendly home. Determined to reduce this waste, I started researching alternatives and discovered sustainable shampoo bars.
Initially skeptical, I decided to give them a try during a camping trip. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to test their effectiveness without the pressure of maintaining my usual appearance. The portability of shampoo bars also made them ideal for my summer adventures. To my surprise, I haven't purchased a bottle of shampoo since that trip. Although the bar I bought was excellent, I felt confident in creating something similar. Given my experience with homemade body soap, I delved into some research before crafting my own herb-infused version.
### What Sets Shampoo Bars Apart from Body Soap?
When washing our hair, we're usually aiming to remove excess oil. Shampoo bars tend to contain more astringent ingredients like coconut oil, designed to cleanse rather than moisturize. In contrast, body soap focuses on nourishing the skin, often incorporating richer, hydrating ingredients such as shea butter. After several attempts, I developed this beginner-friendly hair-loving recipe.
### DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe with Nettles
*Yields approximately 14 ounces (around 5 standard-sized bars).*
#### Tools:
- Cheesecloth or strainer
- Tempered glass measuring cups
- Stainless steel pot
- Gloves and goggles
- Thermometer
- Kitchen whisk
- White vinegar for lye spills
- Kitchen scale
- Soap mold of your choice
#### Ingredients *(All ounce measurements are by weight):*
- 2 teaspoons organic nettle leaf
- 5 ounces purified water
- 2 ounces lye
- 5 ounces organic unrefined coconut oil
- 3 ounces organic babassu oil
- 3 ounces organic olive oil
- 2 ounces organic jojoba oil
- 1 ounce organic castor oil
- 5 drops organic lavender essential oil
- 10 drops organic rosemary essential oil
#### Directions:
1. The night before, steep the nettle leaf in water and let it infuse overnight.
2. The following day, prepare your workspace in a well-ventilated area.
3. Strain 4 ounces of the nettle infusion into a tempered glass measuring cup.
4. Wearing safety goggles and gloves, carefully add the lye to the infusion and stir thoroughly (always pour lye into the liquid, never the other way around).
5. A natural thermal reaction will occur after mixing these ingredients. Allow the mixture to cool to between 100°F and 125°F.
6. Meanwhile, gently melt the oils in a stainless steel pot.
7. Once the oils are melted, let the temperature drop to 100°F to 125°F.
8. Slowly combine the lye solution with the melted oils, avoiding splashes.
9. Whisk the mixture until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency and leaves visible stir marks (this stage is known as "tracing").
10. This process typically takes less than 15 minutes. If the mixture hasn’t reached the desired consistency, pause for 15 minutes and then resume stirring for another 5 minutes.
11. Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly.
12. Pour the raw soap into molds, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
13. Check the hardness after 3 days and continue monitoring daily until they are firm.
14. Once hardened, remove the bars from the mold and cut them while wearing gloves.
15. Place the bars on a cooling rack or another surface that allows airflow.
16. Rotate the bars every few days to ensure even curing.
17. Cure for at least 4 weeks before use.
#### Pro Tips:
- Always make lye-based soap in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep pets and children away from lye at all times.
- Lye can be intimidating for beginners, but this lye calculator has been invaluable for boosting my confidence in soap making.
- If you’re just starting out and don’t want to buy molds yet, clean recycled milk cartons can serve as a makeshift mold.
- For additional soap-making tips and safety information, check out our herbal soap-making blog.
If you're interested in exploring more dry shampoo options, consider trying our DIY dry shampoo recipes. You might also enjoy these related articles:
- 6 Ways to Use Jojoba Oil for Skin & Hair
- DIY Leave-in Conditioner with Jojoba & Argan Oils
- Rosemary Mint Homemade Salt Spray for Hair
I hope this guide inspires you to create your own shampoo bars and embrace a more sustainable approach to personal care. Let me know if you have any questions or need further advice!