Creating your own shampoo can be quite an experience. Not only do you get to create something amazing for your hair, you also have the opportunity to learn more about how different ingredients can give your hair a healthy and natural shine without the need for chemical products.
It doesn’t matter where you got your inspiration from, the important thing is that you’ve taken that first step to a much healthier, natural shampooing habit. Making your own shampoos will be a lot of fun, but there are some things you should be aware of before you begin. So before you grab that mixing bowl, here are a few insider tips to get you off to a good start and help you avoid any problems further down the road.
1. Prepare your workspace
The first thing you need to do before you get started on your shampoo creations is to prepare your workspace. Making your own shampoo at home can get quite messy, so make sure that you have prepared a dedicated space for it; which will be easy to clean up when you’ve finished.
2. Source your ingredients from a reliable supplier
Most of the ingredients needed to make your own homemade shampoo can easily be bought from grocery stores. However, if you ’ re looking for an ingredient that can ’ t be easily purchased in your area, you can always find a reliable supplier online with a little search. When sourcing ingredients, make sure to choose a supplier that is known first and foremost for their quality, and not just the quantity of product they are offering. Don ’ t be fooled by a cheap price tag if you ’ re not sure about the quality of the product. Think of these ingredients as you would food; they will be entering your body through your scalp, so chose the best you can find or that you can afford.
3. Be aware of your allergies
Just because an ingredient is considered all-natural or organic doesn’t mean that it ’ s guaranteed to be 100% safe for you. It may work wonders for others, but there is the odd chance that for you it could cause an allergic reaction. So before you get started on any homemade shampoo batches, make sure that the ingredients you ’ re going to use are safe for you. Try to figure out which (if any) of the common ingredients may cause skin irritation. If you ’ re going to work with an unfamiliar ingredient, test it first on your wrist to see if it causes a negative reaction. This way, you don ’ t end up harming your scalp or skin in your quest for healthier shampoo alternatives.
4. Start with small batches
Since your homemade shampoo doesn’t contain any chemical ingredients designed to prolong its lifespan, it’s best to only make small batches at a time. Most of the shampoo recipes I will be sharing will only last a matter of days or weeks, depending on the product. Therefore, it ’ s highly recommended that you don’t make too much at one time. One option to make your homemade shampoos last longer is to store them in the fridge.
5. Always store homemade shampoo in appropriate containers
Once you’ve made a fresh batch of your organic shampoo, it ’ s critical that you store it in an appropriate container. As I mentioned above, your homemade shampoo won ’ t contain any chemical preservatives to prevent bacterial growth, so always make it a point to use sterile containers. Look for containers with airtight lids; so your product won’t be exposed to air, humidity, germs, and bacteria. Although, not essential, glass containers are a good option as glass is inert, meaning no chemicals will be able to leach into your shampoos.
6. Don’t get too hung up on following the recipes to the letter
The amounts of the ingredients you’ll need may sometimes seem a little vague, but don’t get too hung up on being exact; just follow the instructions as best as you can to begin with. Making your own shampoos is a lot like cooking; over time you’ll get used to the recipes and will be able to adjust them to suit your own needs and preferences.
Now that you’re well prepared, let’s get started on the recipes!