I am trying to replace all of the household cleaners and body products in our home with natural, mostly homemade, alternatives.  As I come close to running out of a chemical filled product I search for a natural, and cost-effective (AKA cheap), alternative.

A few weeks ago I was almost out of my shampoo and conditioner.  I began to research what was in shampoo.  I was quickly disgusted.  Would you put Drano or Anti Freeze on your head or your children’s head?  That is what you are essentially doing when you use products with Propylene Glycol, Ethylene Glycol, or Sodium Hydroxide.  These are primary ingredients of most antifreeze and drain cleaners.  They are also common in shampoos, lotions, and even toothpaste!

The main reason we are switching to no ‘poo is for our health.  The number of chemicals in shampoo and other bath and body products is frightening.  Your skin is the largest organ on your body.  Whatever gets put on your skin gets absorbed into your body, into your bloodstream and into your organs.  Scary stuff folks.

I had been using Sulfate free shampoo and conditioner.  The brand I was using boasted that it contained rosemary and juniper.  Yes, rosemary and juniper were listed in the ingredients…at the bottom of the list.  At the top of the list was Propylene Glycol.  YUCK!!

A friend of mine mentioned the no ‘poo method to me.  I was intrigued.  I began to read about the concept of no pooing.  The decision was easy.  We would begin to no ‘poo!

photo credit: nourishing within

This is why I chose the no ‘poo method:

1. Shampoo is expensive.

2. Chemicals in shampoo can irritate and dry out your scalp and hair.

3. Chemicals in shampoo can be hazardous to your health.

4. Your body produces oil to naturally condition your hair and keep it healthy. Using shampoo daily upsets the natural balance and causes you to produce more oil than necessary to compensate.

I admit that I was skeptical about how my hair would handle the switch because I have long, curly, and often frizzy hair.  Honestly, I couldn’t imagine my hair without a super moisturizing conditioner.

I quickly switched my kids over to the no ‘poo alternative.  It worked great and no more tears from the product getting into their eyes!

I took the plunge and made the switch for my head.  I read that you may experience a transitional period while your scalp adjusts but I didn’t.  I am three weeks in and my hair actually looks better than it did when I was using the chemical filled products.

photo credit: favim.com

How to make no ‘poo:

I mix up the ‘shampoo’  and ‘conditioner’ in a squirt bottles for ease of use.

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda per 1 cup of water.  Work this through your hair and rub into your scalp well.  I let it sit on my hair while I shave my legs.  Rinse well.

Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per 1 cup of water.  Work this through your hair then rinse well.  The smell will go away once you rinse.  If the vinegar smell gets to you too much add a drop of essential oil such as lavender.

As I mentioned I have curly/frizzy hair.  My hair is also coarse.  To avoid  I rub a few drops of coconut oil or macadamia nut oil (I switch it up) through my towel dryed hair.

No ‘Poo Troubleshooting:

If your hair becomes frizzy, try using less baking soda or leaving it on for a shorter period of time.

If your hair becomes greasy, try using less apple cider vinegar.

If your scalp itches, try the following essential oils; tea tree, lavender, rosemary.

As I said previously, my hair looks better than it did before.  I am so happy that we have successfully  eliminated another chemical containing product from our home!

Thank you so much for reading and good luck if you decide to use the No ‘Poo method of cleaning your hair!

You can read about more products I have replaced here.

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