A regular maintenance routine is vital for healthy hair. That process may, or may not, include various methods of conditioning, treating and styling. But no matter how many steps you choose to incorporate, shampooing will mostly likely remain a non-negotiable.
With clean hair being at the top of the hygiene list, the product choices for this task are large in quantity. Shampoos are available for any need or concern.
You can find a product to clarify, condition while shampooing, add shine, add volume, strengthen, thicken and treat scalp issues.
Couple that with the different scents available and you may begin to feel overwhelmed with something as simple as finding the perfect shampoo for your regimen.
Shampoo Ingredients
While purchasing shampoo from a retail store is common practice, it is quickly showing itself to be a risky decision. Many products on the market promise clean hair and a healthy scalp, but they don’t inform you of the harmful ingredients contained in most shampoos found on the shelf.
Many of those shampoos are loaded with harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens and fragrances that contain a massive amount of other chemicals.
And while your favorite product may do a wonderful job at cleansing your hair, it may inadvertently be creating more harm than good. These harsh chemicals can make your hair dry, brittle and eventually cause severe damage.
With this is mind, what better way to ensure your hair is free of interaction with those chemicals than to make your own shampoo? There are many different ingredients and recipes that you can create, but one of the easiest and surprisingly effective is baking soda shampoo.
Natural Baking Soda Shampoo
Sodium bicarbonate, also called baking soda, is an inexpensive and easy way to clarify your hair. It works because the compound is great for removing acidic impurities, thus giving it’s extensive list of known uses. The slightly abrasive particles and mild alkaline nature make baking soda an effect option for shampooing. Together, these components will break up any dirt collected on the scalp and eliminate any grease accumulated from the secretions of sebaceous glands.
Baking soda shampoo is extremely effective in leaving your hair and scalp clean. Because it is not known as a common irritant, it appears to be safe to use for most people as well as various hair types and textures.
However, because this shampoo is a clarifying shampoo it should be used sparingly and should not be rubbed down or into the hair shaft. Baking soda shampoo is effective with removing dirt, oil and product build up and should not be used as a moisturizing shampoo.
If there is a need to clarify the shaft of the hair from extreme build up due to the use of styling products, you should comb the shampoo through the hair and let it sit for about a minute and then rinse. This technique should be used sparingly because the intense cleansing power of baking shampoo can cause some dryness to the hair shaft if used too often or vigorously.
Here is an easy baking soda shampoo recipe to include in your personal hygiene routine:
Ingredients
- A bottle with a top
- Baking Soda
- Water
Preparation
- Mix 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water (leave a small amount of room at the top so that you can shake the mixture to mix).
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- Shake mixture to mix evenly.
- Pour/squeeze onto scalp.
- Gently massage into your entire scalp
- Let the mixture sit for 1-3 minutes.
- If needed, comb mixture through to the ends of hair.
- Rise thoroughly with warm water.
Note: You will not get the foamy bubbly action that you are used to getting with regular shampoo. Don’t worry; it’s still doing the trick.
If you find yourself in an uncommon situation and are without water or can’t use water on your head temporarily, but need to cleanse your hair, you can also us baking soda as a dry shampoo. Just sprinkle a little on your scalp, comb through to the ends of your hair and then fluff your hair with a blow dryer.
Here’s also a short video on the topic.
Other Shampoos With Baking Soda
If you aren’t a DIY kind of person, you can purchase baking soda shampoo online. You may pay a little more for the convenience of not having to create the mixture yourself, but the clarifying benefits are just as effective as the homemade version.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you decide to ditch the commercial shampoo and try out this baking soda shampoo recipe.
First, there may be a weird feeling to your hair after shampooing. That’s normal. After you’ve ensured that the entire product has been rinsed out, be sure to dry your hair thoroughly. After your hair is dry, you’ll notice that it feels extremely clean, soft and smooth.
Second, you must keep in mind that any new routine takes a bit of getting used to. If your hair doesn’t seem to like the baking soda shampoo at first, try it out a few times more before totally ruling it out.
Some people say they were able to receive immediate results while others used it for a few more weeks before they decided that it did indeed work for their hair type and texture.
And lastly, always remember that this clarifying process is used to breakdown dirt and remove oil. Limit the use of baking soda shampoo to bi-weekly or monthly to prevent your hair from drying out.
Soaking your combs and brushes in a clean sink filled with the baking soda shampoo will help to rid the build up of products on your styling tools as well. Thus reducing the amount of dirt and product that you’re voluntarily placing on your scalp and hair shaft.
You may also choose to help seal in moisture by rinsing with a vinegar rinse afterwards. Simply mix 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to mask the smell of the vinegar and impart more nutritional elements.
Pour the mixture over your hair with your head tilted back to avoid getting the rinse in your eyes. Wait a few moments and then rinse with cool water. This process helps to alkalize the ph balance of your hair and also imparts shine.
If you’re looking for an all natural, chemical free and earth friendly product to cleanse your hair and leave it smooth and shiny, give this baking shampoo recipe a try.
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