The Shampoo Alternative!

Living without shampoo is cheaper, better for the environment and healthier for your hair.

There are many things we do in our lives without thinking about them. We eat because we’re hungry, we shower because we feel dirty and we sleep because we are tired, but who says that you need that $400.00 mattress or those overpriced hair care products?

Human beings are copy cats. We see someone doing something and we do the same, that is how we learn. Our parents use shampoo, so of course we are going to do the same. We don’t even ask if we should, nor do we ask which brands to use, because we assume that our parents, friends or whoever else knows exactly what’s up.

One of the biggest “shams” in our society right now, is shampoo. There are entire store aisles dedicated to endless varieties of shampoo brands, conditioners and other hair products. Sure, shampoo and conditioner can make your hair look and feel luscious, but that does not mean that it is healthy or beneficial for your hair, no matter what the advertising might say. The shampoo strips your hair of healthy, natural oils and therefore accumulates dirt and forces your hair to produce excess oils to compensate. Your hair then becomes reliant on the shampoo forcing you to wash every day or at least every few days.

Giving up shampoo is a difficult choice to make. When living a wanderlust lifestyle, there are no expectations to your appearance. For those of you who work in professional settings, it may not be an option to stop using shampoo as it does take a few weeks for your hair to adjust to the new treatment. I find the summertime a great way to try out the “no poo,” challenge for the first time!

If you live are living out of a van, tiny house, or boat you might want to get a black shower bag! You can have hot water, anytime anywhere, just leave the black bag out in the sun for a few hours, and you can wash with warm water. We use the Portable Solar Shower Camping Bag Ultralight 5 Gallon. You can buy it here!

The No Shampoo Method

Things you will need:

Recommended: Boar Bristle brush (for smoothing out oils) You can buy a 100% Boar Bristle Brush Here!!
Regular brush or large toothed comb
Apple cider vinegar
Baking soda
Large cup
Bowl
Optional: Essential oil of your choice ( I enjoy lavender).

Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar Method:

These steps will vary from person to person as we all have different lengths and types of hair. Try out different things until you find what works for you. I found that I got the best result from these steps.

Step 1: Wash your hair one last time and enjoy the chemically infused scents.

Step 2: Go for 2-3 days without washing your hair.

Step 3: Comb your hair first to rid yourself of the knots.

Step 4: Fill your large cup with water about 3 1/4 full. Mix around 3 tbs of baking soda into the water. In a separate bowl add water to the half way point. Mix in 2 tbs of apple cider vinegar. (I recommend using this Bragg Live Food Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with “the mother.”) Amounts will vary depending on hair length.

Step 5: Bring the vinegar and baking soda mixtures to the shower or bath. Rinse your hair with water first then dip the ends of your hair into the cup of baking soda mixture. Squeeze out your ends over the cup. Use the residual baking soda mixture to pour over your scalp, bits at a time. Make sure to scrub and rub in the baking soda well. Once you have massaged the baking soda in, you can let it sit for a minute and then rinse thoroughly with water.

Step 6: Dip all your hair and head into the apple cider vinegar mixture, this acts like a conditioner for your hair. Try to avoid getting it in your eyes. Rub your hair and head thoroughly once again, and then let it sit for 2-5 minutes. Rinse and scrub your hair with warm water.

Step 7: Once your hair is dry you can use the boar brush to pull the natural oils down from your scalp. It is also beneficial to use the boar brush between hair washes to avoid having greasy hair more quickly.

Using the baking soda and vinegar method is a more natural way of cleaning your hair as opposed to shampoo, but it does still remove some of the natural oils from your hair. It can also disrupt the Ph level of the hair causing brittle strands. Yet, most people find it works great. This method is merely a great way to evolve your hair to needing only water.

Benefits of not using shampoo and conditioner:

Your hair becomes naturally softer because of it’s natural oils
It’s inexpensive
Better for the environment
Less money wasted promoting advertising
Regain your natural pheromones

The Cons:

It’s not for every type of hair.
It takes 1- 2 months to start noticing a change, until then your hair is in an adjustment phase, and may start producing a lot of oil.
People might think you are a wild hippie (who cares?)
If you use the boar brush, it will need to be washed with soap, as it is the thing removing the excess dirt and grease.

I hope you all consider going the “no poo” route! It sure feels great, and frees you from needing chemically infused products from society!

Go forth and say no to shampoo!

I used to wash my hair every other day. It dried it out, left split ends. I now have a mane of hair. It’s vibrant and healthy and doesn’t need to be washed every day.