How to Make Natural Shampoo Bars
Making shampoo bars at home takes some time, but little compares to using them or giving them as gifts. Lavender shampoo bars are detailed here, though you may substitute any essential oil and corresponding or contrasting herb. For example, use rosemary essential oil and rosemary herb, or lemon essential oil and grated lemon rind. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Three 2.5-ounce glycerin or castile soap bars
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lavender flowers
- 1 paper coffee filter
- Lavender essential oil
- 1 tbsp. almond, coconut or olive oil
- 1 tbsp. jojoba oil
- Soap molds or three clean tin cans
- Olive oil
Instructions
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How to Make Natural Shampoo Bars
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1
Melt the glycerin or castile soap bars in a stainless steel pot over very low heat until dissolved. Use a wooden spoon to stir.
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2
Bring a cup of water to boil then add the lavender flowers and lower the heat. Simmer the mixture for two minutes with a lid on the pot then let it steep for 15 minutes. Cool completely. Then strain the liquid using a coffee filter set in an empty jar or bowl.
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3
Combine the melted soap with one-third cup of the lavender flower infusion. Add 10 to 12 drops of lavender essential oil, almond oil (or coconut oil or olive oil) and jojoba oil. Blend.
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4
Pour the liquid into soap molds, which are sold online and in crafts stores, or into clean tin cans oiled with olive oil.
Shampoo bars will harden in two hours. Set them in a room that is dry, cool and dark for about two weeks to "cure."
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Tips & Warnings
If you have dry hair, use jojoba, coconut or almond oil. For oily hair, add 1 tsp. of tea tree essential oil. For thin hair, use almond oil. To make soap bars, see Emelie Tolley's easy-to-follow video, which is linked in the References section below.
