I’ve made natural alternatives to most of our household and toiletry products, but homemade shampoo was by far the toughest.
I tried the “no-poo” method, which has great results for some, but did not work on me at all (and I have some terrible Christmas pictures to prove it!). If you have coarse hair that isn’t naturally oily, this method may be great for you! I have baby-fine hair and it didn’t work for me.
I also missed the foaming aspect of shampoo (I know… the “foam” in regular shampoo is made by chemicals and detergents…)
I tried plain liquid castile soap, which left a tangled mess, and I tried a bunch of homemade recipes that didn’t work well at all.
Finally, at the inspiration of a natural coconut milk (scented) shampoo that I love, I’ve finally found a recipe that I’m happy with and that doesn’t leave my hair tangled, oily or both.
It works on kids hair too (that’s a picture of my daughter’s newly washed hair) though it isn’t tear free, so watch the eyes!
Natural Shampoo Recipe
It’s such an easy recipe that I can’t believe it took me this long to think of it…
Secret ingredient: Coconut Milk!
What You’ll Need for Homemade Shampoo
- Coconut milk (UPDATE: a couple of readers mentioned that the canned stuff did not work well for them, but that homemade coconut milk worked great… Depending on your hair type, homemade may be better for you)
- Liquid castile Soap (like Dr. Bronners)
- Essential Oils of choice (I’ve used peppermint, lavender, rosemary and orange or combinations of those)
Homemade Shampoo Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut milk (homemade or canned)
- ¼ cup castile soap
- 20 drops essential oils (such as peppermint, lavender, rosemary, or orange)
For dry hair:
- ½ tsp olive oil (or almond oil, optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in an old shampoo bottle or jar. Pump soap dispensers and even foaming dispensers work well for this. If you use a foaming dispenser, add ¼ cup of distilled water.
- Shake well to mix.
- Keep in the shower for up to a month.
- Shake before each use and use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo.
Notes
- If you use a foaming dispenser, it also makes a great shaving cream.
- Some people find that a 50:50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water used as a rinse helps get hair cleaner and increases shine.
Nutrition
Don’t want to make it?
When I’m traveling or don’t have time to make my own, I’ve used a few organic shampoos that worked really well. My faves are:
- Wellnesse Cleansing Shampoo – I’m beyond excited to share that the recipes I’ve been making for over a decade are now available in my very own personal care line! We use only the safest EWG-rated ingredients as well as ingredients from nature with proven benefits, like nettle to strengthen and revitalize hair. There’s one for curly hair too!
- Morrocco Method Raw and Natural Organic Shampoo – this doesn’t lather like normal shampoo but it has been absolutely amazing on my hair and has helped strengthen it over time.
- Acure Organics Shampoo
Another wonderful and cost effective option is to make your own shampoo bars (like bar soap for your hair).
But… Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day!
I can’t leave out one of my biggest healthy hair discoveries: hair is happiest when you don’t wash it every day! Read this post to find out why the experts say how you wash your hair matters just as much as what you wash it with!
Ever made your own shampoo? Gone “no-poo?” How’d it go? Share below!
I saw in one of the comments that it will last “longer” in kept in the fridge, but how long does it last if you just make one batch and keep it in the shower? Does the steam and heat from the shower cause the shampoo/coconut milk to go bad? Just afraid to make this and have it go rancid or something!
As long as you make it in small amounts, you should be able to keep it for several weeks or a month. I don’t make more than I listed in the recipe, and that has been in my shower for up to a month with no ill effects, but you could make smaller batches weekly if you are concerned, or keep in the fridge.
I am going to try this. As for Apple Cider Vinegar, mix about 1/4 C in a quart or so of water and pour over your hair. It is not a conditioner, as such, but will remove tangles because it closes up the shafts in the individual hair strands so they won’t tangle together. It leaves hair shiny. The vinegar smell does not stay in the hair.
I just use a bar of cheap basic castille soap, the same I use in the shower. this works just as well. I like to keep things simple and cheap whenever possible. 🙂
That is great! I wish I could do that too, but my hair is so long, I think it would tangle…
I’m currently trying the no poo method and so far so good. I only wash my hair once a week and with the no poo method I really needed to wash it on day 5 – my scalp is definitely in transition.
This recipe looks great and I will be sharing it on my blog and blog Facebook. I had a lot of readers tell me the no poo method didn’t work for them so this is a great recipe to send them to.
my hair is very short also ball inthe top what can i do for it
really a great post and recipe
Sounds interesting, I might just have to try it! Do you use anything for conditioner along with it?
I haven’t needed it, but some people love using apple cider vinegar as a conditioner.
I did the no-poo method for 4 months and it took my normal, somewhat thin, fine hair 6 weeks to adjust. I liked it, but made the mistake of using regular shampoo while staying with my in-laws. Just like that, 4 months of training my scalp down the drain. Have had to go back to regular shampoo. However, your recipe looks great and I’m going to make it!
I added some organic avocado oil and organic jojoba oil instead of olive or almond oil! It is fanstastic!
my question is the same…. a need to refrigerate since the coconut milk? i’m making some of this tomorrow!
Nope, it will last longer (more than a month) if you do, but I haven’t had it go bad yet…Just dont make a gallon batch and it should be fine out of the fridge 🙂
I just checked your site not 2 days ago looking for just a recipe! Thank you for posting. I was worried about the no poo thing, and this sounds like answers to my need for natural shampoo. Since going Paleo, I have noticed allergic reactions to normal shampoos.