How To Make Homemade Shampoo

Learn how to make homemade shampoo at home with this easy-to-follow tutorial. This natural shampoo recipe comes together with natural ingredients like liquid castile soap, distilled water, and your favorite carrier oil.

Making your own shampoo at home is easy and an affordable option for those trying to save money. This shampoo is great for most, depending on your hair type. I’ve found that those with curly hair need more moisture and oils, while those with oily hair can completely omit the oil in this recipe. This is a great base recipe to start with and can be customized to suit your hair type and needs.

How To Make Homemade Shampoo

For this recipe, you will need liquid castile soap (scented or unscented), distilled water, and your favorite hair oil. I like to use jojoba oil or argan oil.

1. Combine the castile soap, water, and carrier oil in a medium measuring bowl. Stir gently, making sure to avoid the soap from sudsing.
2. Pour the shampoo concentrate into a glass jar or container. Secure with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

How To Use:

Unlike commercial shampoos, this homemade shampoo will not sud up as much and will feel different on the hair. This recipe also makes a concentrate, which means you only need a small amount at a time. Shake before each use to ensure the oils and soap are combined. Add equal parts of this shampoo to water and mix in a small cup or jar. Then wash your hair with the homemade shampoo. Follow up with a hair rinse like apple cider vinegar rinse or a moisturizing hair mask.

Ingredients & Substitutions:

• Distilled water: You may use rose water or rosemary water instead of distilled water. Tap water is okay too, but make sure to keep this shampoo in the refrigerator as it doesn’t contain preservatives.
• Castile soap: Use your favorite castile soap brand and scent. If you use scented castile soap, there will be no need to add essential oils to this recipe.
• Essential oils: I didn’t add essential oils to this recipe because I used lavender-scented castile soap. If you’d like to add essential oils, add 2-4 drops to the bottle. Rosemary, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, and ylang-ylang are some of my favorite hair essential oils.
• Hair oil: You may leave the carrier oil out of the shampoo if you tend to have dry hair. I don’t use coconut oil in this recipe since it’s solid at room temperature and will not mix with the soap. Almond oil is great for those with fine hair, while argan is wonderful for frizzy hair. Read our guide on how to choose the right hair oil for your hair type here.
• Avoid using baking soda: Baking soda has trended as a good hair rinse for years but it’s not the best choice for hair. It doesn’t balance the pH of the hair and can completely dry out and ruin some hair types (this happened to me years ago). I personally avoid it.

Tips:

• Transitioning to natural shampoo: There is a transition period when you switch from store-bought shampoo to homemade or natural shampoo. Your hair may need to be cleansed with a clarifying shampoo or detox hair mask to assist in the process.
• Rinse with an ACV rinse: Apple cider vinegar is a great hair tonic that helps to balance the pH of the hair and will help your hair to feel soft and smooth. Make a homemade apple cider vinegar hair rinse by combining four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with sixteen ounces of water. Mix and pour the rinse over your hair after shampooing. Work the rinse into your scalp and rinse well with cold water.
• Utilize dry shampoo between washes: Dry shampoo is great for those who tend to have oily hair. Work the dry shampoo into your scalp and through your hair.
• Customize the recipe for your hair: If your hair feels dry after using this shampoo, try adding more oil to the recipe, 1/4 tsp at a time. If your hair is too dry, try omitting the oil completely.

Watch The Video:

FAQ:

How much shampoo will I need for long hair?

​I have medium-length hair, and a teaspoon of the concentrate works great for my length. For longer hair, I would start with 2 teaspoons of concentrate.

What’s the best hair oil to use?

​There are a lot of great oils to use for different hair types. Argan oil is great for frizzy hair, while castor oil is great for those who want thick hair. Read our guide to hair oils for more info on finding the right hair oil for your hair.

Will this shampoo lather like commercial shampoos?

​Homemade shampoo typically produces less lather compared to commercial shampoos, especially those containing sulfates. The lathering agents in commercial shampoos can strip the hair of its natural oils, whereas homemade shampoo tends to be gentler and may produce a milder lather. Rest assured, the cleaning efficacy is still present even without abundant lather.

Can I add other ingredients to customize the shampoo further?

​Absolutely! Homemade shampoo recipes are highly customizable. You can experiment with adding ingredients like aloe vera gel for extra hydration, honey for its humectant properties, or even herbal extracts for added benefits. Just be mindful of how additional ingredients may affect the overall formula and adjust accordingly.

Can I use this shampoo on colored or treated hair?

​Yes, you can use this shampoo on colored or treated hair. However, keep in mind that the pH level of homemade shampoo may differ from commercial shampoos, so it’s a good idea to do a patch test first to ensure compatibility with your hair color or treatment.

More Homemade Recipes To Try:

• How To Make Rosemary Water for Hair Growth
• Homemade Body Wash Recipe
• DIY Dry Shampoo

Print