Shampoo Recipes

Truly Homemade Shampoo

Shampoo is little more than liquid soap that is commonly formulated with vegetable oils rather than animal fats. Glycerin and alcohol are usually added during the soapmaking process.

Basic ingredients for common soap include lye, which is potash leached from ashes; fat (animal tallow) or oil, and water. If you want to get very basic you can make your own lye and render your own fat. However, those procedures are very time intensive. The following recipe makes a gentle shampoo or concentrate:

• 2.5 lb olive oil
• 1.5 lb of solid-type vegetable shortening
• 1 lb coconut oil
• 10 oz lye
• 2 pints water
• 1-1/2 oz glycerin
• 1/2 oz alcohol
• 1-1/2 oz caster oil

Use candy thermometer for temperature measurement

Use extreme caution when handling lye and lye solution

1. Mix oils together in a container and set container in a large pan
2. Mix the lye solution and pour lye into enamel coated container with 2 pints of cold water while stiring steadily
3. When lye solution has cooled, pour into glass container and set in separate large pan
4. Bring both to between 95 and 98 degrees F by pouring either cold or hot water into the pans, depending on the original temperature of the mixtures.
5. Add the lye solution to the oils, pouring in a steady stream while continuing to stir. The mixture will turn opaque and brownish, then will lighten.
6. It is ready when the surface can support a drop of mixture for a moment. Look for a consistency like sour cream.
7. Stir in glycerin, alcohol and castor oil plus any scents or colorants you desire.
8. Pour mixture into molds and allow to harden

Make shampoo as you need it by shaving off flakes and boiling in water until they dissolve - about 1 pound of shavings per gallon of water.

Or, add more water to mixture, boil, and allow to cool, then bottle for use.

City Shampoo

removes impurities

• 3/4 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.)
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 1 tbs. dried thyme
• 1 tbs. dried peppermint
• 1 tbs. dried lavender
• 1 tsp. witch hazel
• 1 tsp. almond oil
• 7 drops cinnamon oil
• 3 drops ylang-ylang oil

Effective in removing impurities from smog and city grime.

1. Use a heavy saucepan and bring the water to a boil then add thyme, peppermint and lavender.
2. Remove from the heat and let steep for 30 minutes.
3. Strain out herbs and pour the herbal infused water into a ceramic bowl.
4. Add shampoo concentrate and stir until well mixed.
5. Add salt, witch hazel, almond oil, cinnamon oil and ylang-ylang oil to the mixture, stirring until thick.

Bottle and close.

Chamomile Fields Shampoo

• 4 bags chamomile tea or 1 handful of fresh chamomile flowers
• 4 tbs. pure soap flakes
• 1-1/2 tbs. glycerin

1. Steep tea bags in 1-1/2 cups boiled water for 10 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags and add soap flakes to the remaining liquid. Let stand until the soap softens.
3. Stir in glycerin until mixture is blends well.

Bottle and keep in a dark, cool place.

Scented Shampoo

• 3/4 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.)
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 20 drops fragrance oil of your choice
• Food coloring of your choice if desired

1. Warm water and pour into ceramic bowl then add the shampoo concentrate and stir with a wire whisk until well blended.
2. Add the salt, fragrance oil and food coloring and stir until well blended.

Bottle and close.

Dry Shampoo

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Fragrance oil (optional)

Sprinkle cornstarch into your hair and massage into hair and scalp. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes, then brush through hair. Repeat if necessary.

Excellent way to freshen your hair in a pinch or great to take on camping trips when fresh water may not be available for using liquid shampoo.

Add a couple drops of fragrance oil to the cornstarch for a scented dry shampoo.

Herbal Shampoo

oily hair

• 2 tbs. dry peppermint
• 2 tbs. dry spearmint
• 1 tbs. dry sage
• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup baby shampoo

1. Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes.
3. Strain out the herbs and mix the baby shampoo with the herbal water.

Pour into a plastic squirt bottle or jar.

Honey-Pollen Shampoo

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup glycerin.
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 1/4 cup orange flower water or cologne
• 2 tablespoons bee pollen
• 1 teaspoon liquid soap
• 1 tablespoon alcohol

Add all ingredients to a screw top jar, cover and shake well.

Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo

• 3/4 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.)
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 2 tsp. jojoba oil
• 1/8 tsp. peppermint oil
• 1 drop red food coloring (optional)

1. Warm water and pour into ceramic bowl then add the shampoo concentrate and stir with a wire whisk until well blended.
2. Add the salt, fragrance oil and food coloring and stir until well blended.

Bottle and close.

A tingly treat for the scalp and all types of hair. Stimulates the scalp without drying.

Soapwort Shampoo

• 2 cups water
• 1-1/2 tbs. dried soapwort root, chopped (most health food stores have it)
• 2 tsp. Lemon Verbena (for a citrus fragrance) - or - 2 tsp. Catnip (promotes healthy hair growth)

1. Bring water to a boil then add soapwort, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and add Lemon Verbena or Catnip; then allow to cool.
3. Strain the mixture and keep the liquid.

Bottle and store not more than 8 - 10 days.

Egg Shampoo

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 T. castile soap or mild unscented shampoo
• 1/2 C. water

Combine ingredients in a blender and whip until smooth. Use shampoo immediately, following with a hair rinse. Save remaining shampoo in the refrigerator for use the following day.