How to Make Your Own Natural Shampoo

Lavender essential oil has a calming scent that you can add to your shampoo.

Commercial hair products, including shampoos, are often full of synthetic chemicals. Some of these, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, can cause serious skin irritation, hair loss, immune system damage and damage to organ tissues, according to a report published by the American College of Toxicology. The good news is you can have clean hair and save money by making your own natural shampoo out of a few household ingredients.

Things You'll Need

• Bottle
• 1 Tbsp baking soda
• 1 cup water
• 1 drop lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Add 1 tbsp of baking soda to an empty shampoo bottle.

2. Mix in 1 cup of warm water with one drop of lavender essential oil.

3. Close the lid on the bottle. Shake well to mix the ingredients and dissolve the baking soda.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot live without bubbles, add a tablespoon of organic Castile soap.

• Rinse hair with a solution of half water and half apple cider vinegar.

References

• The Daily Green; "Make Your Own Shampoo, Naturally"; Michael de Jong; April 2009
• DIY Natural: How To Make Homemade Natural Shampoo
• The Greenists: How to Decrease Your Dependence on Chemicals
• Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• NICNAS: Existing Chemicals Information Sheet: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Resources

• The Environmental Working Group