Are you looking for a shampoo alternative that is earth-friendly and economical? If so, you may want to try making shampoo bars.
They are easy to make, and they last a long time. They make an excellent alternative to commercially prepared shampoos.
They can be made with most organic oils and herbal extracts. In this tutorial, Restorbio will show you how to make shampoo bars using natural ingredients.
The Basic Anatomy Of A Shampoo Bar
While shampoo bars are often made using a complicated chemical process called saponification (the same cold process soap), they can be made with everyday ingredients and simple kitchen tools. Shampoo bars are generally caused by mixing fats (e.g., oils from plants, lard from animals) and lye (also known as sodium hydroxide).
The concoction is then left to cure for approximately a month. Making bars with lye requires heat for saponification. However, the heat happens naturally, so cooking is unnecessary.
What is Saponification?
Saponification refers to the chemical reaction where fat or oil is mixed with lye. This results in soap making.
As shampoo bar making involves many steps, it is best to measure your ingredients ahead of time and keep them on hand. Cover surfaces with newspaper before you start a shampoo bar recipe. Make sure to protect your skin with goggles and gloves. Saponification can cause intense fumes that can burn skin.
Are Shampoo Bars Safe for Hair?
Friese believes that DIY shampoo bars are a viable alternative to liquid shampoos if they contain beneficial ingredients. DIY bars are suitable for people with allergies and those concerned about the elements of their hair care product.
The creator is in complete control of the components. Bars are better suited for short hair because it is easier to clean the scalp with a bar than with long hair.
Choosing Oils for hair
You can add softness and luster to your hair with some oils. These oils can be used on all hair types, even colored hair.
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Macadamia Nut Oil
- Castor oil
- Palm Oil
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
You can use many oils to make your homemade shampoo bar. However, you will want to keep the SAP value the same as the coconut and olive oils. To ensure that the oil you choose is within the same range, consult an SAP chart.
*Castor oil is excellent for hair, but it is not very high on the scale. You will need to reduce the amount of lye by approximately one teaspoon if you decide to use it. This will make the mixture more even. Otherwise, you'd end up with a crumbly bar because of too much lye.
Choose the best shampoo and conditioner for you through our article.
How To Make Shampoo bars
All-Purpose Shampoo For Normal Hair
This hair care product is made with lye and three common beauty-centric oils. It's versatile and straightforward. Sweet almond oil can be substituted for avocado oil, grapeseed oil, rice bran oil, or macadamia nuts oil. You can also experiment with essential oils to create your scent.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup coconut oil in liquid form
- 1/3 cup sweet almond oil
- 1/4 cup lye
- 3/4 cup of cool water
- 2 tablespoons essential oil (optional)
Steps
- Combine oils in a glass bowl or stainless-steel container.
- Slowly add the lye to water in a separate container that is heatproof. Stir constantly. To avoid fumes, stand back.
- Let the mixture of lye & water cool to around 125 degrees before slowly adding it to the oil. Stir constantly.
- Use a hand blender to make it pudding-like.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to add moisture and essential oils.
- Place the mixture in a silicone mold and cover it. Let sit for 24 hours.
- Remove the soap after 24 hours and let it dry in a dry area for four weeks before you use it.
Warn!
- Never add water to the lye. You can make the chemicals explode in a hot volcano of corrosive liquid.
Moisturizing Shampoo Bar for Dry Hair
Tallow, also known as rendered beef fat, is a common ingredient in bars. Vegan alternatives include soothing bentonite and shea butter. The lavender essential oil can also be used as a compliment.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Coconut oil in liquid form: 1/2 cup
- 3 tablespoons shea butter
- 1/4 cup castor oil
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 1 teaspoon lye
- 2 teaspoons lavender essential oils
- 2 teaspoons bentonite-clay
Steps
- Combine the clay with a bit of water to make it wet. Let it sit.
- Combine water and lye in the same way as described previously.
- In a separate bowl, combine oils and shea butter.
- Slowly pour the lye mixture into the fat mix, and then use a hand blender or immersion blender to blend it until it thickens.
- Blend until smooth. Add clay and essential oils to the blender. Stir by hand until it reaches a consistency that is similar to pudding.
- Place liquid soap recipe in the mold and cover with a towel. Let sit for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, remove mold and let it dry for at least 4 weeks.
Deep Cleansing Shampoo Bar to Oily Hair
The bars can leave you feeling oily and dry. Try a bar with apple cider vinegar. It is excellent for unclogging hair follicles, as well as balancing the pH of your scalp. This shampoo bar recipe is lye-free and uses jojoba beads to exfoliate and Castile soap-making to reduce excess oil.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup jojoba beads
- 3/4 cup carnauba wax
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup liquid castile soap recipes
- 2 teaspoons essential oil (optional).
Steps
- Use a double boiler to melt the carnauba wax and then allow it to cool.
- Once the mixture has cooled, add the remaining ingredients.
- Mix the ingredients in a mold and cool down until it is solidified.
Lye-Free Shampoo bar for sensitive scalps
Some skin types may find lye too harsh. Castile soap contains lye. However, it is heavily diluted with oils so that it is gentler than higher chemical levels. This shampoo bar recipe can be made with castor oil and nourishing black Molasses if you have sensitive skin.
Ingredients
- 1 cup melt-and-pour castile soap
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon castor oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black Molasses
- 15 drops vanilla essential oil
- 15 drops patchouli essential oil
- Essential oil of rosemary: 10 drops
Steps
- In a double boiler, melt the castile soap base.
- Stir in olive oil, castor oils, and black Molasses once the mixture has melted. Allow cooling.
- Before pouring the mixture into a soap mold, stir in essential oils.
- Allow soap mold to set for at least 24 hours before cutting or using it.
Homemade Shampoo Barb Recipe Tips
Place the remaining homemade shampoo bars in a cardboard container with enough space between them for airflow. As the bars harden, they will keep getting harder. This shampoo bar recipe is rich in coconut oil and olive oil to be pretty soft. Keep any unutilized bars in a cool, dry place.
Accuracy is crucial in soap manufacturing. Inaccuracy can cause shampoo to be too harsh and burn skin.
Do not add the water to the solution, as this can cause a severe reaction.
This homemade shampoo bar is my go-to for conditioning. I use a 1:13 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. To soften and shine your hair, apply it right after you get out of the shower. The vinegar scent dissipates quickly.
How to Use DIY Shampoo Bars
Friese explained the art of using shampoo over traditional liquid shampoos. Wet your hair, making sure it is damp. Otherwise, it will be hard to create a lather.
To create suds, you will need to wet the bar using a little water. Massage the shampoo bar onto your hair, distributing it evenly. Finally, use your fingertips to scrub your scalp gently.
FAQs
What Can I Substitute For Shampoo?
You might also want to read my article about how to wash your hair with no shampoo.
What Are Some Alternatives To Coconut Milk?
Water can be used as an option for coconut milk.
Is Homemade Shampoo Better?
This shampoo bar can benefit your hair and make your locks feel and look better!
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Conclusion
The world has been turning to natural products and alternative cures. Unfortunately, it's also becoming much more expensive to buy these types of products. That's why you might find it advantageous to consider making them yourself.
Before you do, make sure that you read through this article to get a feel for how the whole process soap.
Then, you can make your shampoo bars that are genuinely natural and environmentally friendly. So, We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
