Why not use a solid DIY shampoo bar? A solid bar is better than liquid shampoo or any other liquid homemade soap for many reasons.
Because they are solid, homemade shampoo bars can be taken with you wherever you go. These bars are also great for saving money and taking up less space in your shower. For those with weak hands, a solid bar is better than a slippery shampoo bottle. They are also very customizable. I can add whatever I want to the bars and remove anything that I don’t. They are gentle on hair and can be customized to your liking!
Basic Soap Making
You can read my article about basic soap making or make soap by reading this Homemade All Natural Soap. This recipe was converted from weights into measurements to simplify the process. The measurements were tested and refined.
This method is very popular and can easily be doubled or tripled. A homemade shampoo bar is made up of oils, which are the main ingredients that make a difference. Do you love the idea of natural hair care but don’t know how to do it, or do you not have time? Then the Bodyandearth site is the best option for you
How to Choose Oils for Your Hair
You can add tangible softness and luster to your hair with particular oils. These oils could be used on all hair types, even colored hair.
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Macadamia Nut Oil
- Castor Oil
- Palm Oil (see this article sustainable palm oil).
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
Most of these oils can be found in your local grocery store or online.
Considerations when choosing an oil
You are free to use many oils to make your own homemade shampoo. Although, you might want to keep the SAP value the same as on the coconut and olive oils. In order to make sure that the oil you choose is within the same range, consult an SAP Chart.
Castor oil is great for hair, but it’s a little low on the scale. You might have to reduce the amount of Lye to about one teaspoon. This will make the mixture more homogenous. Otherwise, you will receive a crumbly bar because of too much Lye.
Homemade DIY Shampoo Bar (Cold Process)
Many people have asked me for DIY shampoo bars, so I’m sharing mine! This easy homemade shampoo bar will make your hair shiny and soft.
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Active time: 1 hour
- Time for curing: 28 days
- Total time: 28 days 1 hour 20 mins
- Servings: 6 bars
- Estimated cost: $5
Equipment
- Silicone soap molds
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup cool, distilled water
- 2/3 cup oil (see the list above).
- 1/4 cup Lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 2 Tbsp essential oil
Instructions
- Before you start this project, make sure everything is organized and in order. For some steps, you will need to be able to move quickly.
- You can cover your work surface with a piece of newspaper. Next, you will need to put your gloves on and goggles on. Melt any solid oils before measuring them.
- Get enough water into a glass or stainless steel container. Mix water in a glass or stainless steel container. The exothermic reaction that occurs when Lye has the potential to cause the heat of around 200 degrees F. Make sure to measure your Lye and make sure you have 1/4 cup. Use a spoon to stir the Lye into the water. As you stir, slowly pour the Lye into the water. Continue the stirring until the mixture turns clear. To avoid fumes, stand back and stir the mixture. Let the mixture of Lye and water cool to about 125°F.
- Slowly add the Lye to the oil mixture and stir it until the mixture reaches 75degF. Stir the oil mixture by hand for 5 minutes. This will allow as many oil molecules as possible to contact the Lye. Mix the mixture with a stick blender, which you can find in various places, for 5 minutes. Be careful not to add air. This is known as “trace.” You may watch many videos on the web to see how trace looks.
- Once you have reached trace, you may add a tablespoon of your “other oils.” You can add a tablespoon of grapeseed oil, castor oil, or any other oil listed in the oil section. The extra oil will provide extra moisture for your homemade shampoo bar. Additionally, the Lye will not use the oil, so it will be able to condition your hair. Optional essential oils can be added at this stage. Mix well.
- Place the soap mixture in molds and wrap with plastic wrap. This silicone mold is the ideal shape. Turn it onto parchment paper or a baking rack after 24 hours. If you are using a baking sheet, leave it in a dry area and turn it in once per week. After curing for four weeks, your homemade shampoo bars are ready to use. The bars will become milder the more time they are left to cure. It’s worth it to wait for a month before you get your final product.
Notes for Recipes
There are many articles that will help you get started. Protective gloves and goggles are recommended. Mixing Lye with water can create a choking sensation in the throat. After a few minutes, the sensation will subside.
- Lye can cause burns if not used with care. If it is not used properly, it can cause burns. In case of spills, keep some white vinegar on hand.
- Dried herbs are not recommended for this soap. They can become stuck in your hair and make it difficult to get them out.
- You can also make this soap in a large mold. After the first 24 hours, cut it into bars when you take it out of the mold. If you happen to leave them for too long, they might become too difficult to cut.
- One of the conditioners mentioned above can restore hair’s pH, add shine and prevent buildup.