Introduction: 10 Shampoo Recipes You Can Make at Home

By Click here for my portfolio site
About: From time to time, I'll provide Amazon affiliate links. When you click on them, it helps me continue to contribute awesome Instructables.

Consider this instructable your ultimate guide to making homemade shampoo! Here are ten easy shampoo recipes you can use to find the perfect formula for your hair.

The benefits are that you can use all natural ingredients, avoid all of the fillers and irritants commercial makers use, scent it any way you want, and customize it to suit your hair's needs.
What more do I need to say?

I love my homemade shampoo. It smells great and leaves my hair feeling light and soft.

Keep reading to learn how to make your own shampoo at home!

Step 1: Basic Shampoo Recipe

This shampoo is great for normal hair, or as a base to add your own scents.

Basic Shampoo Ingredients:

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle. Shake before use.
This mixture isn't as thick as commercial shampoos - you'll need to just tilt the bottle over your head to get it out.
I am really impressed with how much lather I get from it though!

Step 2: Stimulate Shampoo Recipe

To wake up your scalp and your senses, try tea tree and peppermint oil!
This one's my personal favorite, and the one I use daily. It's so refreshing!

Ingredients for Stimulate Shampoo:

Mix all ingredients, then store in a bottle. Use as you would any shampoo, rinse well.

Step 3: Moisturizing Shampoo Recipe

This shampoo is best for dry hair!

Moisturizing Shampoo Ingredients:

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle and always shake well before using.

Apply to hair and allow to sit for a few minutes. Rinse well with cool water.

Step 4: Soothe Shampoo Recipe

Chamomile makes this shampoo a calming treat. Chamomile also has natural lightening properties, so combine this with lemon juice if you want to lighten your hair!

Soothe Shampoo Ingredients:

Steep the teabags in 1 cup of boiled water for 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard. Add castille soap to the tea. Stir in glycerin until well blended. Keep in a dark, cool place in a sealed bottle.

Step 5: Dandruff Shampoo Recipe

Dandruff can affect people in every age group. Dandruff can manifest as either very dry and flaky scalp or very oily scalp with flakes. Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is not caused by a dry scalp or from improper hair care. It can be caused by increased oil production, hormonal fluctuations, stress, and illness.

To banish a flaky scalp, try this DIY shampoo!

Dandruff Shampoo Ingredients:

In a small grinder or blender, mix all ingredients on low for 30 seconds.

Wet the hair with warm water and shampoo the mixture into the hair well. Rinse with warm water.

Cover and refrigerate leftovers. Discard after 3 days!

Step 6: Shine Shampoo Recipe

Fragrant and lively, try this shampoo recipe to add shine to your hair!

Shine Shampoo Ingredients:

Boil distilled water, add rosemary and steep until fragrant.
Strain leaves and let cool. Mix all ingredients and add to water and stir well.
Store in a bottle. Use as you would any shampoo, rinse well.

Step 7: Tea Tree and Rosemary Shampoo Recipe

This is a great shampoo for any hair type. It smells amazing!

Tee Tree and Rosemary Shampoo Ingredients:

Boil distilled water, add rosemary and and lemongrass (in tea strainer if you have it) and steep until fragrant (about 20-30 minutes)..
Strain leaves and let cool. Mix all ingredients and add to water and stir well.

Mix the tea tree oil and vanilla into the water. Add soap.

Store in a bottle. Use as you would any shampoo, rinse well.

Let the shampoo cool, and then place the top on tightly.

Step 8: Coconut Shampoo Recipe

I can't resist the alluring smell of this luxurious coconut shampoo!

Coconut Shampoo Ingredients:

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle. Use as you would any shampoo, rinse well.
Try not to drink this one. It smells tooooo good. . .

Step 9: DIY Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo recipe is a great in-between treatment for hair. It can also come in handy if you're helping someone who can't wash their hair on their own, or for removing dirt and oil from the hair when fresh water is unavailable.

Dry Shampoo Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup cornstarch or cocoa powder for dark hair
  • 1 tsp crushed lavender or other fragrant herb

Sprinkle enough of the mixture to cover all hair, and comb well through hair. You can use an old spice bottle with a sprinkle top for even application!

This can be made in bulk and stored in a cool, dry environment.

Step 10: No Poo Shampoo Recipe

Though there are already plenty of instructables that cover this topic, I thought my list wouldn't be complete without including the simplest way to get clean, healthy hair. No soap required!

No Poo Shampoo Ingredients:

Put 1 tsp baking soda in a cup or mug to take into the shower with you.
In another cup, pour about 1 oz (~1/8 cup) apple cider vinegar.

When you get into the shower, fill the baking soda cup with about 1/4 c water.
Apply this to your roots only; work it in and let it sit for a minute.

Then begin to gently scrub your scalp, stimulating blood flow and cleaning out your pores.
This will actually stimulate hair growth.

Lastly, scrub the back of your skull and your temples/sideburns. This will result in less grease and more growth.

Rinse!

Follow by adding about 1/4 c water to your vinegar cup.
Pour the apple cider vinegar over the ends of your hair, let it sit for a minute and then rinse it out.

No 'Poo Troubleshooting

There may be a transition period from two weeks to two months depending on the person. Here are a few tips:

  • If your hair becomes frizzy, try using less baking soda or leaving it on for a shorter period of time. Adding honey may also help.
  • If your hair becomes greasy, try using less apple cider vinegar, switching to lemon or lime juice, leaving out the honey, and/or using a comb instead of a brush. Also, make sure youre applying the apple cider vinegar just to the ends of your hair.
  • If your scalp itches, try the following essential oils; tea tree, lavender, rosemary. If your hair becomes dry, try a tiny bit of oil (any oil, I use olive) smoothed on bottom of hair.

Have fun and enjoy!

From time to time, I'll provide Amazon affiliate links to help me continue to contribute awesome Instructables.