Sustainable Swaps: How to Make DIY Shampoo Bars with Herbs
Omega-3 Fish Oil,Fish Oil 10/50 Tg,Omega 3 Fish Oil,10/50 Tg Fish Oil ZHOUSHAN SINOMEGA BIOTECH ENGINEERING CO.,LTD , https://www.sinomegabiotech.com
As someone striving for a sustainable lifestyle, I often reflect on ways to replace everyday single-use items with eco-friendly alternatives. During a recent review of my self-care routine, I realized my shower was the biggest offender when it came to plastic waste. I had a collection of half-used haircare products that never quite worked for me, creating what I call my "plastic graveyard." This was definitely not in line with my efforts to live a greener life.
On a camping trip, I decided to give sustainable shampoo bars a try. They seemed like a convenient and portable option, reducing the need for plastic bottles. I was pleasantly surprised by their effectiveness and ease of use, especially during my outdoor adventures. Since then, I haven't gone back to buying bottled shampoo.
Inspired by my experience, I wanted to experiment with making my own shampoo bars. Having already dabbled in homemade body soap, I felt confident enough to create my own version with added herbs. After some research, I developed a recipe that I believe strikes the right balance for healthy hair.
What sets shampoo bars apart from body soap? When washing hair, we're typically looking to remove excess oil, so shampoo bars often contain more astringent ingredients like coconut oil. On the other hand, body soap focuses on moisturizing the skin, incorporating richer oils like shea butter. After several trials, I perfected this beginner-friendly recipe that I'm excited to share.
Here's the DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe with Nettles:
**DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe with Nettles**
*(Makes approximately 14 ounces, or about 5 standard-sized bars.)*
**Tools:**
- Cheesecloth or strainer
- Tempered glass measuring cups
- Stainless steel pot
- Gloves and safety 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
**Instructions:**
1. The night before, steep 2 teaspoons of organic nettle leaf in 5 ounces of purified water overnight.
2. The following day, work in a well-ventilated area. Strain 4 ounces of the nettle infusion into a tempered glass measuring cup.
3. While wearing safety goggles and gloves, carefully add lye to the infusion and stir thoroughly (always pour lye into the liquid, never the other way around).
4. A natural thermal reaction will occur. Let the mixture cool to 100°F to 125°F.
5. In the meantime, gently melt 5 ounces of coconut oil, 3 ounces of babassu oil, 3 ounces of olive oil, 2 ounces of jojoba oil, and 1 ounce of castor oil in a stainless steel pot. Allow the oils to cool to 100°F to 125°F.
6. Combine the cooled lye solution with the melted oils, avoiding splashes.
7. Whisk the mixture until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency and leaves visible traces when stirred (this is called "tracing").
8. Add 5 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of rosemary essential oil. Stir until fully combined.
9. Pour the mixture into your chosen soap mold, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
10. Check the hardness after 3 days and continue checking daily until the bars are firm.
11. Once hardened, remove the bars from the mold and cut them while wearing gloves.
12. Place the bars on a cooling rack or another breathable surface, rotating them every few days for even drying.
13. Allow the bars to cure for at least 4 weeks before using.
**Pro Tips:**
- Always prepare lye-based soap in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep pets and children away from lye at all times.
- Lye can be intimidating, but this lye calculator has been invaluable for boosting my confidence as a beginner soap maker.
- If you're just starting out and don't want to buy molds yet, clean recycled milk cartons make excellent temporary forms.
- For more tips and safety information, check out our herbal soap making blog.
If you're interested in exploring other hair care solutions, consider trying our DIY dry shampoo recipes.
Other related content you might enjoy:
- 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 try making your own shampoo bars. Not only is it a sustainable swap, but it's also a fun and rewarding process!