Have you been wanting to try the ‘no poo’ method but aren’t sure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’m sharing five ways to wash your hair without shampoo and four mistakes to avoid so you can get the best hair of your life without harsh chemicals!
‘No poo’ stands for ‘no shampoo,’ and it’s a movement that encourages us to rethink our hair care routines and explore gentler, more natural ways to keep our hair clean without the use of toxic chemicals found in traditional shampoos.
The ‘no poo’ method typically uses baking soda, water, apple cider vinegar, co-wash, and goat milk soap to effectively cleanse hair.
Personally, I tried using baking soda and water to wash my hair and didn’t love it. Next, I landed on the goat milk soap method, which was the best for my hair when it was short! Now my hair is longer and I use a small amount of natural sulfate-free shampoo. (More on that below!)
The Purpose of Going ‘No Poo’
Traditional shampoos strip our hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, frizzy, and sometimes even causing scalp irritation. Using shampoo alternatives allows our hair to maintain its natural oils, resulting in healthier, more balanced locks. Our hair can become shinier, softer, and more manageable without constant stripping. Plus, reducing our reliance on chemical-laden shampoos can minimize our exposure to potentially harmful ingredients.
Now, keep in mind that the ‘no poo’ method is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It works differently for everyone, and some people may find it more suitable for their hair and lifestyle than others. Experimentation is key here. I encourage you to try it and see how your hair responds. You might just discover a new haircare routine that leaves your locks looking fabulous and healthy!
How to Wash Hair Without Shampoo: 5 Alternatives to Shampoo for Healthy Hair
#1 Baking Soda
The baking soda hair cleansing method involves using baking soda as a cleanser for your hair.
Best Hair Types for the Baking Soda Method
The baking soda method can work wonders for various hair types, but it’s particularly beneficial for those with oily hair or an oily scalp. It helps those seeking to remove product buildup.
How to Use the Baking Soda Method
Step 1: Start by creating a simple baking soda rinse. Mix about 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Feel free to adjust the ratio depending on your hair length and personal preference.
Step 2: Hop into the shower and thoroughly wet your hair.
Step 3: Slowly pour the baking soda mixture over your scalp, allowing it to distribute throughout your hair. Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips, creating a soothing sensation as the baking soda works to remove impurities and excess oils.
Step 4: Let the baking soda sit on your hair for a couple of minutes.
Step 5: Rinse your hair thoroughly with water, ensuring all traces of baking soda are gone.
Step 6: Follow up with a conditioner if desired, as baking soda can be slightly drying for some hair types.
#2 Water Only
This method is the most extreme of them all. This cleansing method only consists of washing your hair with plain water and nothing else.
Best Hair Types for the Water-Only Method
This method works well for those who don’t use a lot of hair products and aren’t prone to dandruff or product build-up. However, if you are prone to those things, I’d stay away as you might need some gentle cleansing agent.
How to Use the Water-Only Method
Step 1: Start by thoroughly wetting your hair with warm water.
Step 2: Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips. This stimulates blood circulation and helps distribute the natural oils from your scalp to the rest of your hair.
Step 3: Allow the water to rinse through your hair, carrying away any dirt, sweat, or impurities that may have accumulated.
#3 Apple Cider Vinegar
The apple cider vinegar (ACV) no-poo method is a simple yet effective way to cleanse your hair without the use of traditional shampoos.
Best Hair Types for the Apple Cider Vinegar Method
The ACV method can work wonders for various hair types, but it’s particularly beneficial for those with oily hair, product buildup, or an itchy scalp.
How to Use the Apple Cider Vinegar Method
Step 1: Start by mixing one part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with three to four parts lukewarm water in a container. This ensures that the ACV is properly diluted, as using undiluted vinegar can be too harsh for your hair.
Step 2: Hop into the shower and wet your hair thoroughly.
Step 3: Slowly pour the diluted ACV mixture over your hair, making sure to distribute it evenly from the roots to the tips.
Step 4: Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips, allowing the ACV mixture to stimulate blood circulation and promote a healthy scalp environment.
Step 5: Let the ACV sit on your hair for a few minutes, allowing it to remove any product buildup or excess oil.
Step 6: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
#4 Cleansing Conditioner or Conditioner Washing
So, what exactly is co-washing? Well, it’s short for “conditioner washing,” and it involves using a conditioner as your primary cleanser instead of traditional shampoo.
Best Hair Types for the Cleansing Conditioner Method
Co-washing works wonders for certain hair types, especially those prone to dryness, frizz, or damage. If you have curly, coily, or textured hair, this method can be a game-changer. It helps retain rich moisture, reduces frizz, and promotes defined bouncy curls. However, even those with other hair types can benefit from co-washing, especially if they struggle with dry scalp or hair that tends to get stripped by regular shampoos.
How to Use the Co-Washing Method
Step 1: Wet your hair thoroughly with warm water.
Step 2: Take a dollop of your favorite silicone-free conditioner or use one of these DIY Conditioner methods. This is crucial because silicones can cause build-up over time. Apply the conditioner generously to your hair, starting from the roots and working your way down to the ends.
Step 3: With your fingertips or a wide-toothed comb, gently detangle your hair. This step is essential for preventing knots and tangles, ensuring your hair remains silky smooth.
Step 4: Let the conditioner sit on your scalp for a few minutes to let it work its magic.
Step 5: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
#5 Goat Milk Soap
The goat milk soap no poo method involves using goat milk soap as a shampoo alternative to cleanse your lovely locks. This method has gained popularity among those seeking a more natural and eco-friendly hair care routine.
Best Hair Types for the Goat Milk Soap Method
The goat soap method works well for various hair types, but it tends to be particularly beneficial for those with sensitive scalps or dry, frizzy hair. The nourishing properties of goat milk soap can help moisturize and soothe the scalp while also adding shine and softness to your strands.
How To Use The Goat Milk Soap Method
Step 1: Wet your hair thoroughly with warm water, allowing it to absorb the moisture like a sponge ready for a refreshing cleanse.
Step 2: Cut a bar of soap in half. This makes it easier to hold and stretches the life of the bar. (More tips on stretching a bar of soap.) Then, scrub your scalp to loosen any buildup on your scalp.
Step 3: After you’ve scrubbed your scalp, make sure your hair is wet. Starting at the front hairline and holding the bar in your hand, put the bar directly into the hair and start massaging it around. Continue this around your head until you have sufficiently covered the roots and your hair.
Step 4: Massage into the roots and cover all of your hair thoroughly.
Step 5: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
Step 6: Follow up with a homemade conditioner.
4 Common Mistakes When Not Using Shampoo
Going No Poo Cold Turkey
When you’re used to daily shampooing your hair each morning, skipping just one day is a huge shocker.
- Consider easing into the routine by washing your hair every 36 hours by washing one night (say Sunday), completely skipping the next day (Monday), and then washing it the next morning (Tuesday). Do this once a week for a few weeks, then twice a week. Eventually, work your way up to washing one morning and going a full 48 hours without washing and continuing to stretch it out from there.
- Another option is to use less shampoo. Most of us could get away with about a quarter-sized amount of shampoo, but try cutting it back to just a dime. This will force you to really work it into your hair. You might miss spots, or your hair might not feel as sparkly clean. But it won’t be as greasy as if you had gone cold turkey, and that’s the whole point.
After a while, see if you can cut it back even less. If neither of these options will work for you, I suggest washing with goat milk soap.
I originally started using it as a way to manage the in-between of shampoo versus no shampoo, but I found that it did such a great job that it became my new hair-washing routine!
Expecting Your No Poo Hair Not To Be Greasy
The ingredients in shampoo are designed to “clean” your hair by stripping it of the oils your scalp naturally excretes.
- It’s a very vicious cycle: Your scalp releases oils, you shampoo to strip the oils and have clean hair, then your scalp, in turn, makes more oils to compensate.
- When you do poo, your hair WILL be greasy. It’s just the natural cycle!
- But I assure you, it will get easier over time, and your hair WILL eventually stop producing so much oil. You can ease the burden by trying one of the techniques mentioned in point #1 above or by following my advice in point #3 below.
Focusing All Your Attention On Your Hair
When you are doing the no-poo method, your focus should be on your scalp, not your hair. A healthy scalp will naturally lead to healthy hair, but it doesn’t work the other way around. Focus on scrubbing and cleaning the scalp to distribute the naturally occurring oils, and your naturally beautiful hair will follow!
Expecting The Typical Shampoo-Like Lather
Friends, it was just silly of me to expect baking soda and water to somehow magically produce a lather in the shower. An unrealistic expectation will only lead to frustration and feeling discouraged! Amidst my disappointment, I found a shining light: Washing with goat milk soap does create a lather!
This made the transition of leaving commercial shampoo so much easier and much more enjoyable. It’s just like the “old” days of shampoo but without chemicals!
My Current No Poo Routine
I no longer use bar soap to wash my hair. This was a GREAT method when my hair was short, but my hair has always been more oily (definitely not dry) and as my hair got longer, it was harder to wash with a bar of soap. My husband and son still use bars of soap.
I now use a shampoo with natural ingredients and without the bad stuff like sulfates. I buy the quart size Kristin Ess Shampoo from Amazon (here’s a smaller size to try it!) and I’ve “trained” my hair to only need washing once a week.
I started with every other day, wearing my hair up in a ponytail on days I didn’t wash and I use Living Proof Dry Shampoo on the very first night. Then pull my hair into a loose pony on top of my head and blow dry any sweat from exercising in the morning.
Then over time, I was able to stretch it to washing every 3 days… then every 4, then every 5, etc. I always use the Living Proof dry shampoo on Day 1 and every night I plan to wear my hair down the next day. It’s taken me about a year, but my current routine:
Day 1: Wash, wear hair down. Dry shampoo at night.
Day 2-3: Wear hair down. Dry shampoo at night.
Day 4-5: Wear hair down in a braid. Only dry shampoo on day 4.
Day 6-7: Wear hair in a pony or in a messy bun. No dry shampoo either day.
Obviously, this is flex, because on really humid days I may need to wear my hair more up than down, but I still only wash once a week.
With this method, one bottle of shampoo lasts over a year!
FAQs To Clean Hair Without Shampoo
How long does the transition period to ‘no shampoo’ hair care last?
The transition period varies from person to person but typically lasts two weeks or more as your scalp adjusts to the new routine. Be patient, and your hair will find its balance.
What things can I use to help my hair adjust during the transition period?
To help manage the oiliness during the transition, you can experiment with different techniques. Some people find that using a boar bristle brush helps distribute the hair’s natural oils from the scalp to the ends of the hair, giving it a healthy shine. Others might opt for occasional rinses with diluted apple cider vinegar to restore pH balance.
What hair types does the ‘no shampoo’ method work for?
The ‘no shampoo’ method can work for various hair types, including oily hair, dry hair, curly hair, color-treated hair, and straight hair.
How do I deal with excess oil in my hair without using regular shampoo?
Natural alternatives such as apple cider vinegar rinse, bentonite clay, or even just water can help remove excess oil buildup and restore balance to your scalp.
Does the no poo method work for sensitive scalps?
Absolutely! Because you’re not stripping your hair follicles of natural oils, your scalp won’t have to make up for the loss of oil by producing excess oils.
Will washing my hair without shampoo cause hair loss?
No, washing your hair without shampoo does not directly cause hair loss. In fact, using gentle cleansing methods and avoiding harsh chemicals can promote healthier hair growth.
Are there any specific hair care products I should avoid when following the ‘no shampoo’ method?
It’s best to avoid products containing harsh chemicals, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), or high pH levels, as they can disrupt the natural balance of your hair and scalp.
How often should I wash my hair without shampoo?
The frequency of hair washing without shampoo depends on your hair type, lifestyle, and personal preference. Many people find success with washing every few days, while others prefer more frequent or less frequent washing.
Washing Hair Without Shampoo: The Final Verdict
No matter which shampoo alternative method you choose, your hair will be on its way to becoming the healthiest, strongest it has ever been! Just remember that your hair may experience a transition period of grease and buildup, but don’t let that stop you!
After you overcome the dreaded transition period, you’ll be left with clean hair without chemicals! Have you ever tried any of the ‘no poo’ methods I mentioned? If so, which one was your favorite? If you haven’t yet tried skipping shampoo, which method are you most excited about trying? Let me know in the comments!
More Natural Living Tips
- Homemade Tinted Moisturizer
- DIY Face Serum
- Homemade Healing Lotion
- 7 Benefits of Quality Goat Milk Soap
Has anyone tried the goat milk soap with naturally curly thick hair? I’m trying to find something that doesn’t make my hair dry and brittle and something more natural. Also, my scalp has been more than normal itchy. Any suggestions?
I cannot attest to your hair type as I have thin, straight hair but I do have itchy scalp, especially in the winter. The goats milk soap as shampoo has helped tremendously!! And I’m pretty sure that it’ll work on your hair. It has such a good lather that you’ll be surprised. Tip: make sure you rub bar well around hairline not forgetting the nape of your neck. I’ve learned that by doing this and also rubbing it well at the crown of my head, I can get the lather evenly distributed and then I can wash well. Good luck!
I actually use a no poo recipe of coconut milk (from the can) and aloe (supposed to be gel but I accidentally grabbed juice). It has worked amazingly well. Occasionally my hair gets greasy but if need be, I just wash with shampoo and run more of my no poo through my hair and it works wonders. I was blessed with frizzy hair and this…this has made the difference for me. Its been years since I left my hair down and now, aside from a few bobby pins to keep the short pieces out of my face, I don’t have to put my hair in a pony tail every day and I live at the beach where its not only humid, but windy as well.
I absolutely agree with you! It isn’t healthy for the scalp to be washed so frequently with shampoos and there is a way to have a clean hair without doing this! I would love to try your way! Your hair looks so clean and healthy! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like it’s worth a try–I am picking up some goat milk soap from a nearby producer tomorrow morning. I’ve been using basically only water and conditioner for over a week now, so I’m hoping for some really good results from the goat milk soap. I’ll let you know how it goes. 🙂
I hope you do too Dayna!
Warm Hello
does it need to be goats milk soap?
can it be any kind of bar soap?
I’ve only tried goat milk soap Teresa, and the soap that I use is VERY gentle and doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients.
I have severe allergies and after reading this started using the goats milk soap. I love how the results on my skin, however I have a residue in my hair. I was wondering if this is something you have come across? I’m not sure if the soap is not working for my hair type, I’m not getting it all out, or if it’s the fact that the only soap I could use before had lotion in it and now this soap is trying to wash it all out? I really want to make this work I really have no other options to wash my hair. Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi Michele! I know the residue you’re talking about – it’s a combination of two things in my own personal experience: not scrubbing well and not using a conditioner. If I do both on a consistent basis, I’m fine. If I skip one or the other (or both!) often, I’ll get build up residue. I don’t know how long you’ve been using it, but it took about four weeks of washing before my hair felt like it was finally rid of all the yucky stuff from commercial shampoos.
*””didn’t know”, not “no” 🙂
After hearing about my DIY adventures with personal care products and shifting away from harmful chemicals, my mom (who’s fairly conservative) has completely switched to goat milk soap and loves the results. She says her scalp is healthier, her hair has a good texture, and she doesn’t have to wash as often. She’s even been telling all her friends about it, including her hair dresser who says her hair feels great.
But I didn’t no it was no-poo friendly. Now I can incorporate it into my routine when I need a little extra cleaning power!
That’s awesome news Trisha! It is completely no-poo friendly, and I think you’ll like how gentle yet effective it is. 🙂
Several months ago, I decided to go no-poo and started using only apple cider vinegar to clean my head. Granted, I’m 66 and way past a greasy head, but I actually had no problems and no transition. I just simply wet my head then squeeze on the vinegar from a plastic bottle and then rinse thoroughly. My hair is curlier than ever and looks good all the time. I’m thrilled!
That’s awesome Gail! I haven’t tried just ACV, but how wonderful that it works for you!
Great article! Hmm…since you find “regular” natural soap to be fine on your hair, maybe I will try the castile soap I got on sale. It’s not a shampoo bar, but I will see… I have never used goat’s milk soap, but I have tried shampoo bars from apple valley natural soaps. I’m just too cheap to buy more. lol
May I add another mistake made when trying “no poo”? Using hard water. Perhaps most people don’t have super hard water, but if you do, don’t use it to wash your hair using baking soda, egg yolks, or any other shampoo alternative, including shampoo bars. It will make your hair gunky and unmanageable. Been there. The softer the water the better, when it comes to natural hair washing! I actually find baking soda to lather when I scrub my scalp…but only if our water softener is working properly! I used to take filtered water into the shower with me to wash my hair when our water was hard, because I did not want to go back to shampoo. : )
I highly recommend cutting back on hair washing. I used to be a have-to-wash-daily kind of gal. My hair was super oily. I can attest that it is true that your scalp produces more oil the more you wash it. It’s taken awhile, but I now only wash my hair 1-2 times/week. Dry shampoo is awesome for those just-starting-to-get-oily days.
Just thought I’d share my experiences. I know everyone’s hair is different, so we all have to find what works best for us!
It took me several months to figure out hard water was sabotaging my no-poo attempts and think it should be mentioned in all the no-poo write-ups. So thanks for pointing this out to others!
A shower filter didn’t help enough, so my work around has been to do a final rinse with distilled water. It helps even more if I also mix my conditioning rinse with the distilled water instead of regular water (I use Dr. Bronner’s citrus rinse concentrate). It use to seem inconvenient, but now it’s just part of my routine and my hair feels fantastic. Plus, I only wash my hair twice a week now so I don’t mind an extra step. I just keep a jug of water with a spout on it in the shower and call it good!
So glad to know I’m not the only one doing this! I also tried no-poo. I’ve since learned that baking soda changes the ph too much, and ACV does NOT actually counter it. So what I’ve done the last couple years is order a big block of plain soap, melt it in a double boiler, mix in essential oils (which are also great for your hair), and mold in a muffin pan. It’s really good stuff. Also, I think your hair type plays a big role in what works for you- mine is thick and straight- so I had to experiment with conditioning too. I now use a mix of avocado, aloe, honey, and tea tree oil.
Very helpful! I tried doing the no shampoo, or “DIY” shampoo, thing a few months back but it didn’t work for me. After reading this post I can clearly see that it was my fault because I was not doing it correctly. I’m so glad that I read this and now I will definitely give it another go. Your hair looks great, by he way!
Thanks! Scrubbing the scalp is key. Good luck with your no ‘poo adventures!!
My hair has had a rough weekend! I decided to pick Easter weekend away to try out the DIY herbal shampoo you posted a recipe for, but it seems that my hair did not like it at all. It was a gummy, tangled mess, even after doing several ACV rinses. No harm, no foul; I’ll use the castile soap for cleaning instead! But I decided to try the goat milk soap that I just got last week this morning and, followed by two ACV rinses and a little bit of coconut oil, my hair loves it! I’m sure I’ll be able to go to just one ACV rinse and forego the coconut oil at the end of the week, but my hair is recovering from the herbal shampoo right now and needs a day or two without shampoo. Still, I’m thrilled with goat milk soap, and I’m so glad you’ve shown me a perfectly natural, healthy way to clean my whole body! I’m excited to make laundry detergent with it!
Bummer on the herbal shampoo Melissa, but so glad the goat milk soap is working for you!! I also love your “no harm no foul” attitude and that you’ve re-purposed the castille soap!! I hope you enjoy the laundry detergent!!!
So, let me get this straight. You can just take a bar of goatmilk soap, just as it is, and rub it on the roots of your hair and it won’t leave a residue and it will leave your hair clean and film free? I am allergic to corn and soy as well as nuts and many fruits so the ONLY shampoo I am not allergic to is almost $20 for 8oz.so I have resorted to using dish soap and I have long, thick hair. Am I really reading this correctly? Goat milj soap will clean my hair (insert phot of sponge bob with gleaming eyes)
LOL – pretty much! Your hair might FEEL a bit greasy for the first couple days (since your scalp is so used to being stripped of oils every day), but it’ll look fine. You’ll learn the art of scrubbing the scalp within a week and by week #2, you’ll start to feel the difference in your hair. Yes! Goat milk soap will clean your hair! (sending you a virtual high five!)
i used goat milk soap and it made my hair so soft and not greasy! There’s a great store near me that has great scents.
I would love to try this, but I have a really long, fine hair and I’m just not sure that it would work very well. Super fascinating though!
I think it’s worth a shot Lydia. We do this on my daughter who has really long hair as well, and with great results. Why not try it for a week – what have you got to lose but the dollars you spend on shampoo? 😉
I tried this the last few days because I ran out of shampoo and I had some goat milk soap! My hair feels greasy, so I don’t know if I am doing it right. It does ,however, look pretty good!
Meagan – you’ve got to SCRUB that scalp! Mine felt the same way. It looked great, but felt strange… likely because we’re so used to that squeaky clean feeling after we shampoo (thanks to the stripping of the oils). Be sure to scrub the “greasier” spots super well, and everywhere else good too. It makes a world of a difference!
This is an interesting post – I stumbled on your blog looking up recipes on pinterest. I too tried that baking soda and vinegar thing about a year ago and failed. I think I lasted maybe a week and my hair went from greasy looking to frizzy and fly away – not good! Anyhow – I may try the goats milk soap – I have some melt and pour base from Brambleberry that I have not used yet. Also, interested in finding out more on your face wash with it. I have made a soap using the shea butter base and like it for my skin so far. .
Wow – that’s quite the jump in a week!! Obviously, we love goat milk soap. 🙂 Here’s the facial wash I made: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/09/diy-homemade-facial-cleanser/
I use that at the sink since it’s easier than a bar (IMO).
Tried the on ‘poo thing last summer and it dried my baby fine hair out so badly, it was breaking. I do not recommend it for prolonged use, but trying to find something that did actually work has also been a challenge. I tried goat soap too, and it is an option, I just didn’t like the bar.
Just this week i tried a recipe I found on line – using only castile soap and coconut milk and it LATHERS! So far so good! Washed it Sunday morning and was still good today.
Wonder if making liquid goat milk soap and using it with the coconut milk would work and still lather? may need to try that next!
Lynn – I tried using a liquid goat milk soap that I already had (https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/09/diy-homemade-facial-cleanser/) but I felt like I was using an awful lot and still not getting enough to clean… And I tried making this same mixture with coconut milk instead of water (and also soap + coconut milk + water) and didn’t get a lather AND couldn’t get the coconut milk to rinse well out of my hair. I was hopeful, but the straight up bar did the best. What about the bar did you not like?
I tried to goat milk soap bar last night and realized for me it is more a tactile thing – I dont like the feeling of the bar rubbed on my roots. Once I got past that, it did actually leave my hair feeling nice. So it is an option.
I was very surprised that 1TBS of castile (used Dr Woods baby mild w/shea butter of all things!) with 1 tsp of coconut milk actually worked for me – i have long but fine hair that can get greasy quickly. The pain is having to mix it up, so the convenience of the bar being right there and covering all showering needs is compelling. Thank you!
Gramma always said we washed our hair too much!
Having always been on the oily side, the aging process (and dryness that comes with it) has been my friend. 🙂
I still get greasy at the scalp even in my mid 40s so I wash my hair twice a week in the winter and 3 times a week in the summer- with baby shampoo.
No ‘poo is not an option, as my career requires a professional image.
I even color my hair every 7 weeks, but have found “color safe” products break out my scalp (and my husband’s, who uses whatever I have on the shelf in the shower).
But that goat soap sounds intriguing 😉 I may have to give it a try!
Thanks! 🙂
I TOTALLY understand the “professional image” Jaytee, which is why I tried the goat milk soap out too as an experiment – and it worked! There wasn’t the typical grease-head that would come from not shampooing, and it made the transition of my scalp from one extreme to the other much more manageable. I hope you’re able to try it out!
I’d love to cash in on the bulk scrap soap deal from the Bend Co.! However, the unscented is out of stock right now. Do you know how long your coupon code is good until? Thank you for your wonderful tips and advice! My husband has eczema and psoriasis, so I’m hoping this will help for his body and scalp!
Hi Jennifer! I think the coupons are good indefinitely? I checked with Bend before publishing, and these seem to be their standard deals available most of the time. If scent is an issue, I’ve found that the citrus and mint blends are the most mild. 🙂
Being like “frugal- minded”, do you think it’s possible to purchase a big bag of the scrap or shredded soap, melt it all down in a pot and then pour into molds?! I was thinking of doing this because it’s more cost effective to purchase in scrap and I could do a years worth of soap all at once! I just don’t if this is possible- if I’d be ruining the properties of the soap by melting it? If I’m not ruining the soap and in the end I’d have the same end product, then I think it’s worth the effort of a day of soap making and saving the difference in cost!
Hi Jennifer! Many scrap pieces are actually quite big – nearly as big as a regular bar of soap itself! The ones I have right now are 3 x 3 x 1/2″, if that helps to give perspective.
The process you’re referring to is milling soap, and it can be done, but I personally haven’t tried it with Bend’s soap so I can’t say one way or the other. From what I’ve read, some soaps work great for this and some don’t. I’m sorry – I wish I could be more helpful!
I’ve been infusing herbs in hot water, and mixing it about 50/50 with apple cider vinegar. I put it in a big bottle and put a few tablespoons in my hair during my shower, rinsing and repeating once. After I’m out, I towel dry my hair (it’s medium-long) and add another few tablespoons to my scalp. A few drops of oil on the ends has replaced my shampoo, conditioner, AND rehabilitated my hair after it was damaged when I was ill with copper toxicity!
Betsy,
Thank you for sharing!