The Switch - Shampoo Bars

A friend of mine started using shampoo bars this week.  This is a switch that I wish all people made.  There are a couple of reasons that shampoo bars are more environmentally friendly.  First, using bars rather than bottles entail way less waste and don’t rely on the oil industry.  In today’s world, I think that it’s important to distance ourselves in any way possible from these companies.  Secondly, shampoo bars are soap based, often natural and free of all the insanely harsh chemicals that we then flush down the drain.  People shampoo their hair WAY too often, and when they do, they use way too strong of chemicals to do it.  Like everything else on our bodies and on our planet, there is a fragile balance that we don’t want to throw off. 

I do however have a couple of cautions.  When your hair is used to the chemicals, and you’re used to the ease of just squeezing two products out of bottles, it takes some adjustment.

1.        Don’t shampoo as much.  Unlike using shampoo and conditioner that ensure that you have to use it every other day just to keep the oil away, shampoo bars keep your hair clean for almost a week.

2.       Use the shampoo bar on the top of your head and scalp rather than the tips – similar to bottle shampoo, it can dry out the ends.

3.       Use an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse.  This is incredibly important to rinse the soap residue away every time.  A tablespoon or two mixed with a cup of shower water to rinse your hair – instead of conditioner.  Very cheap, very simple.  If you’re worried about the smell from the vinegar, it smells pretty strong, but the smell doesn’t hang around on your hair.  Unless you have really short hair, if you skip this step you will likely not be able to use shampoo bars for long.

4.       Consider using baking soda every other time.  Baking soda is a very gentle cleanser and people are starting to use it on their hair more and more, especially if they want to grow their hair long.  It works great and is gentle on long hair.  Just like the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse, a tablespoon or two of baking soda mixed with a cup of shower water and work it into your scalp.  Don’t expect suds, and it might not feel “clean” until you’re out of the shower, but I promise it does work.  Finish with an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse and away you go.  Cheap and simple, and therefore something big business doesn’t want you to know.

Shampoo bars are really the way to go.  There are some talented soap makers that make amazing shampoo bars…Check out etsy.com for some fantastic shampoo bars or your local farmers market.