Homemade Shampoo, Conditioner, and Detangler

I wish someone earlier in my life had told me how easy it is to make and use homemade shampoo, conditioner, and detangler.

For some hair types, working through and rinsing baking soda (as a de-greaser and cleanser) and spraying apple cider vinegar (as a conditioning agent) and rinsing during a shower makes their hair shiny and beautiful.  And that’s that! My sister-in-law is an example.  She does this for her hair, and it is long and beautiful (I should sneak up and take a picture of it).

I have not been able to do this because the baking soda ( a water softener) takes the oil out of my hair, but leaves my hair flat and horrid.  I have since learned that baking soda is harsh on your hair and must be used sparingly and must be followed with apple cider vinegar to balance the ph levels to neutral again.

The recipe for Shampoo #1 below has actually worked the best on my hair, leaving it bouncy and not frizzy.  For those of you with more normal hair that tends to get oily quick, the method below may work perfectly (like with my sister-in-law).  So don’t be afraid to try them out and see what works best.

• Shampoo –  1 cup water to 2 Tbs baking soda to a spray bottle.  Shake before use.  Spray into wet hair and work in with fingers.  Rinse.
• Conditioner – Always follow baking soda with apple cider vinegar: 1 cup water to 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar.  Shake before use and spray in wet, clean hair.  You can also steep a bag of herbal tea in hot water before adding the vinegar.
• If your hair is already voluminous and not oily, you can use a small amount of coconut oil as a deep conditioner, detangler, and de-frizzer.  Rub a very small amount onto your hands and rub through your hair, starting at the ends.

Here are methods for various hair types:

For dry hair: Coconut oil, banana, avocado, olive oil
For normal hair:  egg, olive oil
For oily hair: Add a little lemon juice (1 to 2 teaspoons) to the products for normal hair

Other methods for various problems:

Dull Hair: rub in 1 lemon juiced mixed with 1 cup water.
Hair spray and Gel Build Up: 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed with 1 cup water
No body, dull: 1/2 cup vinegar mixed with 2 cups water
Odor such as smoke: 1 cup of tomato juice

Detangler #1

• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 1-2 drops glycerin

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle.

Detangler #2

• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp jojoba oil
• 5-10 drops of essential oil of your choice

Mix and add to spray bottle.  I like this recipe.  It’s basically oil and water so make sure you shake really well before use.

Shampoo #1

• 2 oz (half a bar) of homemade soap that you like, grated
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp glycerin (optional, added as a thickening agent)
• 10 drops essential oil of your choice

Mix grated soap in hot water until soap is fully dissolved.

Mix in oils and glycerin.  Pour into spray bottle.  Shake before use.

Shampoo #2

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup coconut milk (or water, or herbal tea)
• 1/3 cup liquid soap
• 20 drops of Essential Oils of choice

Directions:

For dry hair: add 1/2 tsp olive or almond oil (optional)

1. Combine all ingredients in an old shampoo bottle or jar of some kind (pump soap dispensers and even foaming dispensers work well for this. If you use a foaming dispenser, add 1/4 cup of distilled water)
2. Shake well to mix.
3. Keep in shower for up to a month.
4. Shake before each use.
5. Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo.
6. If you use a foaming dispenser, it also makes a great shaving cream. Just dilute with 1/4 cup water

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