Comments on: Shampoo Bars – A Green Option

By: Lisa Marie Mary

Lisa Marie Mary — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:41:04 +0000

This is so interesting, Tiffany! I’m looking into all of these – man, I learn a lot from you, girl! :)

By: Shena

Shena — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:45:51 +0000

OK, I just ordered the Green Tea Shampoo Bar and one for my Mom too. I’ll let you know what we think!!

By: Wondermom

Wondermom — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:03:03 +0000

I went “no-poo” in December of 2006. Before that, I used shampoo and conditioner on my hair at least once a day. When I stopped using shampoo altogether, I went to washing with baking soda and rinsing with either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (just a VERY little bit…a tablespoon or so) at first 2-3 times per week. After about a month, I was down to only washing once a week or so. I also cut out the vinegar and went to just using a few drops of lavender or sweet orange oil as a conditioner. I’ve long been a fan of Blue House Soaps (www.bluehousesoaps.com) so I decided to try her shampoo bars and I fell in love. My favorite is the sunshine bar which has orange oil (a natural degreaser) in it. These days, I wash with baking soda about once a week or less and use the BHS shampoo bar in between. My hair has never been softer, fuller, or healthier. I also use the shampoo bars for shaving.

Google “no-poo shampoo” to read a lot about how shampoo works and why it’s bad for your hair. You’ll also find out about the transition period for your scalp to recover from long time shampoo use. Like I said, I’ve been shampoo free for just over a year now and I can easily go 6-7 days between washing my hair without it being the least bit oily. I love having a shampoo bar to freshen up and give me the psychological benefit of washing my hair more often than that though.

Blue House Soaps rocks!

By: Julie A.

Julie A. — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:09:24 +0000

Thanks you so much everyone for getting back to me about the vinegar. I just wanted to make sure before using it. Thanks a bunch to all.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:50:43 +0000

Julie A.–I think you can use any vinegar you like. You might want to avoid red wine vinegar or balsamic if you have light hair, though!
And how often depends on your hair. I haven’t tried the watered down method, but with straight vinegar which I rinse out, I can’t do it more than once a week. But once a week works out fine. I have very fine hair, though.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:08:06 +0000

I get it wet and rub it directly on my hair until I get a good lather. :)

Julie I recommend apple cider vinegar.

By: xzid

xzid — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:39:57 +0000

I heard of shampoo bars before but I always wonder how to use them. Dilute the soap with water (in your hands) or use the soapbar directly on your hair. I’d love to try one b/c the bottle soap is making my hair so dry I can only wash it once a week.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:47:11 +0000

have you ever heard of Mama’s Herbal Soaps?
http://www.mamasherbalsoaps.com/
they are great and the only soaps we use. you should really check them out. we have not been disappointed yet!!

By: michelle

michelle — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:47:45 +0000

i never heard of shampoo bars! guess i’ve been under a plastic bottle too long! :)

By: Julie A.

Julie A. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:39:41 +0000

Hey there!! So could anyone help me out with my question about which vinegars are safe to use on your hair and how often can you use it that I commented a few comments above. Thanks a bunch!!

By: mama k

mama k — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:12:03 +0000

PS It also took me about 2 weeks to transition to using bars. Using a regular conditioner a couple times a week and using a vinegar rinse helped too. I’m now down to using the vin rinse just a few times a week and my hair and scalp is very happy!

By: mama k

mama k — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:09:29 +0000

LOVE shampoo bars for my long hair! My fav is http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com Another hippie-indy business. :)

By: Julie A.

Julie A. — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:17:49 +0000

Thanks Shannon for getting back to me!! Is Apple Cider Vinegar the best vinegar to use for your hair or would other types of vinegar be just as good? Also, is it okay to use vinegar on your hair all the time. I mean, couldn’t it hurt your scalp after some time? Just wondering! Thanks in advance.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:48:20 +0000

I’ve never heard of shampoo bars before either but I’m going to check them out.
Thanks for the vinegar tip too.

By: rachel

rachel — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:37:08 +0000

Gosh, isn’t vinegar the coolest?

By: Jules

Jules — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:20:56 +0000

My favorite shampoo bars are from mi Spa. http://www.mi-spa.com/Hair-c-2.html

mi Spa is a small, indie company and Mimie, the owner, makes everything by hand in small batches. She even has a vinegar based conditioning rinse! :)

By: Vickie

Vickie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:20:06 +0000

Thanks for this post. I’ve been interested in getting a shampoo bar for a while. Also, the vinegar tips are helpful.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:19:31 +0000

The vinegar is a great idea to help with the transition from chemical shampoos but you don’t even need that much. I have LONG hair and just 2 tablespoons of applecider vinegar in a cup of water is a wonderful final rinse (you don’t need to wash it out either). I’ve been using my own shampoo bars with a vinegar rinse for a while now and I’ve found I don’t even need conditioner. Nice soft shiny hair. The easiest way to apply the vinegar rinse is by reusing a lemon juice bottle. they have nice small holes. :D

Lush is no good if your looking for natural stuff. I mean what’s the point of handmaking stuff with the same chemicals you find in drug store brands?! Their only green-side is low packaging.

By: Julie A.

Julie A. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:51:35 +0000

These bars seems very cool! I have never heard of them before, but I am loving the concept. I have very long thick and coarse hair, so does anyone think these bars would really help me out and get my hair super clean? Thanks in advance!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:54:27 +0000

You can ease the transition to shampoo bars (and other natural shampoo, too!) by rinsing your hair with vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar). You just put 1/4 cup of vinegar through your hair, let it rest for a minute or two, and rinse. The vinegar smell will dissipate once it dries, and it leaves your hair very soft and shiny…I think it’s particularly good if you have hard water. Sounds weird but works!