Shampoo Stinks

It never fails to startle me just how long it takes for the shampoo residue (?) to eventually wash out of my hair if I use it while travelling. I’m basing this on smell alone so it makes me wonder how long the non smelling chemicals are actually lingering on my scalp and hair. There must be more than just the smell that is left, no?

In the past I used to make the effort to bring my own shampoo alternative and supplies but like other things in my life, I decided to “not sweat the small stuff” and use what was available wherever I was visiting.

I found it somewhat amusing that my divorced parents have the same brand of conventional shampoo plus conditioner or 2 in 1 in their showers today. Even with a dollop of shampoo the size of a dime, the nauseating smell still radiates off my head more than a week later, despite my having washed it a couple times since. I bet the reek will still be there in another week. We’ll see.

So why do it at all? I’ve never been a fan of washing my hair with water alone although I obviously can if I have to. I suppose just going with the flow instead of asking my parents for a cup with a bit of baking soda and a second certain sized cup with a tbsp of apple cider vinegar all the while getting a strange “why do you have to be so difficult/weird” looks to be the easier choice. It also saves on the alternative of having packed apple cider vinegar spill all over my clothes even though it’s bottle is always very carefully kept upright and wrapped tightly in at least one plastic bag. This usually results in having to wash my clothing with equally stinky conventional laundry soap, which could be a post on it’s own!

I’ve been “shampoo free” for about five years now. After reading about concerns over such ingredients as sodium lauryl sulphate and trying more natural shampoos with little success, I found a system that really works for me and was also affordable. I’ve considered doing a tutorial but the only pictures I have are pretty horrendous, to put it bluntly. So perhaps I’ll add better photos at a later date.

I find washing my hair like this gets my hair cleaner than with any shampoo I’ve ever used and I love not having tangles. At first I used more baking soda and apple cider vinegar and over time I used less and less and had to wash it less often as well.

I keep a bit of bs in a cup in the shower. I rewet it each time I have a shower. That way I can use as much or little as I need to. I add a little water and make a wet paste. I don’t like it to be too watery.

I rub small fingerfuls into my scalp focusing more where I might need it.

Rinse off with water.

I usually use a bit less than this of acv- dh got this for me.

Fill up the rest of the way with warm water.

Pour over all hair.

Rinse off with water.

It may not be a simple as rubbing a cream from a bottle through my hair but I find the extra effort worth it. Not to mention the savings on cost and synthetic smell and chemicals that come along with bought shampoo. In my mind keeping ingredients simple is always a sensible way to go.

Would love to hear if you have another way of not shampooing!