My decision to begin making my own body wash and shampoo was based more on the fact that my allergies are out of control, and it seems like every thing sets them off from, chemicals to fragrances. There are also money saving benefits to making you own products, as well as quality control. But one of the nicest benefits is that you can tailor your shampoo or body wash to fit your personal taste, that is you can control the scent, or lack there of, the vitamins or herbal additions, everything else down to the size of the container. And you wouldn’t believe how easy it is. Plus it is easy to make this work for your kids or significant other by simply changing up the scents and bases.
This is a list of some things you will need to make your first batch of shampoo and/or body wash (I use it for both making only one batch and one bottle, but feel free to make separate batches to fit your needs.):
- Castile Liquid Soap – this is a very gentle soap (you grandma probably used it on your mom when she was a baby – it’s been around for a long time) This is your base, and there are several options available there is a extra gentle formula for babies, almond oil based, hemp oil based, peppermint oil based, citrus oil based, almond/hemp oil based, lavender oil based…
- Distilled water
- Sweet almond oil, hemp oil, olive oil or jojoba oil
- Essential oil(s) or perfume, cologne, or aftershave (personalize with your favorite scent or leave unscented)
- Herbal Extracts (more info later)
- Squeeze bottle (new or clean out your old shampoo bottle and reuse – if you travel a lot pick up a small bottle to fill for those trips out of town)
General Recipe
Fill desired bottle 2/3 full of liquid castile soap (you can use one or a combination of several.) Add oil to bring just under 3/4’s full (again, one or a mixture). Essentials Oils or scents may be added now start by adding a drop or two shake the bottle well, smell the finished product, and add more or another fragrance on top of this. Continue in this manor until you get the desired s fragrance. Remember you can always add more, but you can’t take it out (without doubling or tripling the batch that is.) Herbal extracts can be added the same way a drop or two at a time.* It is important to remember that herbal extracts have there own very distinctive scent, and it isn’t always compatible with Chanel #5…. Once you have achieved your desired scent, fill the bottle with distilled water to just below full (allow a little room for the finished product to be shaken well).
Shake before each use. The castile soap has a great lather, and although thinner than the average shower gel, will work splendidly with a wash cloth, or bath sponge, apply a small amount work into lather, and apply more if needed.
The beneficial oils help to moisturize dry skin and hair (if you suffer with oily skin or hair, you may want to reduce or eliminate the addition of oil.)
My Recipe
In 16 ounce bottle mix:
1 cup almond Castile liquid soap
¼ cup citrus (orange) Castile liquid soap
1 Tablespoon peppermint Castile liquid soap
¼ cup hemp oil
2 teaspoons jojoba oil
1 eyedropper full of mullein leaf extract, wild yam extract and dandelion extract
2 eyedroppers full of sage extract
Steep in boiling distilled water dried red clover flowers, and chamomile flowers (about a small handful of each) I use a French press coffee pot for this, perfect for steeping, and straining the finished product. Steep for 15 minutes. Top full bottle to just below full.
The combination of herbal extracts, and dried herbs are for my particularly dry/allergic skin. The finished product has an earthy woodsy scent that I don’t mind, but I know is not for everyone.
*I am not going to give you a lesson at this time in the use, or benefits of herbal extracts or herbs. You can find this information is books and on the internet, try searching for a specific ailment and the herbs that work best for it. Also, the staff at your local health food store can be a wealth of information (and if you’re lucky enough to know an herbalist or have a herbarium near by you have easy access to information – as we are always willing to share knowledge of our trade.)
Sources for products listed above:
Some pharmacies carry liquid Castile (although the variety may be minimal)
Health food stores should have everything on this list. Also be aware that in the Essential Oil display they usually have tester bottles so you can smell it before you buy.
The internet has great buys on Castile soap – be sure you get the liquid (as it also comes in bars) and watch out for shipping charges, it isn’t a bargain if it cost more than the price you can get it locally to ship it.
Experiment and have fun with this. After all it is good clean fun.
