Searching for a straightforward solid shampoo recipe? Commercial options are loaded with harsh chemicals and packaged in single-use plastic bottles. As a natural beauty enthusiast with years of hands-on DIY experience, I've perfected a simple homemade solid shampoo that's quick to make and delivers outstanding results for healthier hair.
This recipe is effortless, fast, and my go-to for lush, chemical-free cleansing. Here's how:
Contents - 60 g solid surfactants
- 5 g vegetable glycerin
- 10 g water
- 10 to 15 g vegetable oil or butter (castor, coconut, shea, jojoba, or monoi)
1. Set up a double boiler (water bath).
2. Add all ingredients to a heatproof bowl.
3. Place the bowl over the simmering water.
4. Gently melt everything together.
5. Stir thoroughly for a smooth consistency.
6. Lightly oil a silicone mold.
7. Pour the mixture into the mold.
8. Freeze for 5 minutes.
9. Unmold carefully.
10. Air-dry for 48 hours before first use.
Your homemade solid shampoo is ready to go! This method is simple, affordable, and effective—no more chemical-laden products. You'll notice softer, shinier hair that stays cleaner longer.
Best of all, it's plastic-free and zero-waste. For a surfactant-free option, check our dedicated recipe.
Using this solid shampoo is as easy as bar soap. Lather it in your hands or rub directly on wet hair. It rinses cleanly, leaving hair naturally detangled. After use, dry it on a rack or draining soap dish to extend its life.
Solid shampoos rely on surfactants like Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI), or Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA)—all coconut-derived for gentle, foamy cleansing.
They make up 60% of the formula (60 g for a 100 g bar). Source them from natural stores or online, grinding flakes into powder for even texture. Avoid inhaling the dust—it's irritating to airways.
This base recipe is versatile. Enhance it with:
- 10-15 g plant or clay powders (nettle for dandruff, rhassoul clay for oily hair, shikakai for volume) to suit your hair type.
- 20-30 drops essential oils (lavender for calm, tea tree for scalp health, rosemary for growth).
For max foam: 50/50 SCS and SCI. For milder, sulfate-free: 60% SCI and 40% SLSA.
