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Sustainable Swaps: How to Make DIY Shampoo Bars with Herbs
As someone striving for a sustainable lifestyle, I often reflect on the areas of my life where I can swap out single-use items for eco-friendly alternatives. One day, while evaluating my self-care routine, I noticed that my shower was filled with more plastic bottles than I felt comfortable keeping in my otherwise eco-conscious home. I also discovered my "collection" of unused haircare products—products I’d tried but ultimately didn’t suit me. It was clear that my bathroom needed a makeover.
On a camping trip, I decided to give sustainable shampoo bars a try. They seemed like a practical and portable solution, especially for my summer adventures. To my surprise, I loved the results and haven't purchased a bottled shampoo since. Although the store-bought bar I used was fantastic, I knew I could craft something equally effective at home. Since I already make homemade body soap, I did some research and developed my own herb-infused shampoo bar recipe.
So, what’s the difference between a body soap bar and a shampoo bar? When washing our hair, we aim to remove excess oil, so shampoo bars usually contain more astringent oils like coconut oil. Body soaps, on the other hand, focus on moisturizing and often include rich, hydrating ingredients like shea butter. After a few experiments, I landed on this beginner-friendly recipe.
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**DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe with Nettles**
_Makes approximately 14 ounces (about 5 standard-sized bars)._
**Tools:**
- Cheesecloth or strainer
- Tempered glass measuring cups
- Stainless steel pot
- Gloves and goggles
- Thermometer
- Kitchen whisk
- White vinegar for lye spills
- Kitchen scale
- Soap mold of your choice
**Ingredients (by weight):**
- 2 tsp organic nettle leaf
- 5 oz purified water
- 2 oz lye
- 5 oz organic unrefined coconut oil
- 3 oz organic babassu oil
- 3 oz organic olive oil
- 2 oz organic jojoba oil
- 1 oz organic castor oil
- 5 drops organic lavender essential oil
- 10 drops organic rosemary essential oil
**Instructions:**
1. The night before, steep the nettle leaf in water for an overnight infusion.
2. The following day, set up your workspace in a well-ventilated area.
3. Strain 4 ounces of the nettle infusion into a tempered glass measuring cup.
4. While wearing gloves and safety goggles, carefully add the lye to the infusion, stirring until dissolved. Always pour lye into the liquid, not the other way around.
5. A natural exothermic reaction will occur. Allow the mixture to cool to 100°F–125°F.
6. In a separate pot, gently heat the oils until melted. Cool them to 100°F–125°F.
7. Slowly combine the lye solution and melted oils, avoiding splashes.
8. Whisk the mixture until it reaches a pudding-like consistency (known as "tracing"). This should take less than 15 minutes. If needed, let it rest for 15 minutes and try again.
9. Add essential oils and mix thoroughly.
10. Pour the mixture into molds and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Check hardness after three days and continue checking until fully hardened.
12. Remove the bars from the mold and cut them while wearing gloves.
13. Place the bars on a cooling rack or breathable surface, rotating occasionally for even drying.
14. Cure for at least four weeks before use.
**Pro Tips:**
- Always work in a well-ventilated area when handling lye.
- Keep pets and children away from lye at all times.
- For beginners, I recommend using a lye calculator to ensure accuracy.
- If you're just starting out, you can use recycled milk cartons as molds instead of investing in specialized ones.
- For more tips, check out our herbal soap-making blog.
If you’re interested in exploring other hair care solutions, you might enjoy our DIY dry shampoo recipes. There’s also plenty to learn about the benefits of jojoba oil for skin and hair, as well as creating your own leave-in conditioner or rosemary mint salt spray.
[Images omitted for brevity]
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Making shampoo bars has been a rewarding journey. Not only do they reduce waste, but they also allow for customization based on your hair type and preferences. Give it a try—you might be surprised by how easy and satisfying it is!