8 Ways To Wash Your Hair If You’re Going Shampoo-Free

Have you ever thought about ditching shampoo? I know it sounds like a crazy idea, but women all over the world have started going shampoo-free and their hair is stronger and healthier because of it.

Commercial shampoos (particularly ones you can purchase in the drug store or grocery store) can be filled with harsh ingredients that strip your hair of its natural oils. This makes your scalp produce more and more oil to replenish it, leaving you with greasy hair faster and thus you become more reliant on shampoo. This cycle can be harmful to both your hair and scalp and is obviously very difficult to break.

So how do you break a cycle like this? Can you really go without shampoo?

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Going shampoo-free is definitely possible, however you shouldn’t expect results right away. It will take your scalp some time to adjust to the change and you may find yourself with even greasier hair at first. That’s why we suggest going off shampoo during a time when you’re not on your normal daily grind, like when you’re on holiday or during the summer months when you won’t be styling your hair as often.

And as you wean yourself off your fave shampoo, you’ll need to find natural alternatives to keep your hair looking fresh. So if you’re thinking of jumping on the shampoo-free bandwagon, here are eight natural alternatives to traditional shampoo, most of which you can find in your pantry!

Egg

Believe it or not, egg is one of the best natural shampoos for hair. It essentially acts as both a shampoo and conditioner, with the egg white acting like a surfactant, pulling dirt and oil from the hair shaft, and the egg yolk being very hydrating like a conditioner. If you have oily hair, it’s recommended not to include the egg yolk in your cleansing routine.

How to use: Crack an egg into a squeeze bottle and shake it around to create your shampoo. Make sure to use cool water and leave it on for about three minutes before rinsing out.

Oat Milk

While the benefits of using oats on you skin have long been proven, the same goes for using oats - specifically oat milk - in your hair. Using oat milk as a shampoo is ideal if you suffer from scalp issues like irritation or dandruff because of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Oat milk is also rich in proteins and fats which can help to strengthen strands and leave hair silky and shiny.

How to use: Washing your hair in oat milk takes time. Start by covering your roots, massaging it into your scalp for a couple minutes, then apply it to the rest of your hair. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes before rinsing out.

Coconut Milk + Olive Oil Mix

We all know that coconut oil makes a great hair mask, but did you know that coconut milk makes a great shampoo? To create your own DIY shampoo, mix together 1 can of coconut milk, ¾ cup of pure castile soap, 1 tsp of olive oil and 1 tsp of coconut oil. This shampoo will last you for months and will not only thoroughly cleanse the hair and scalp, but keep it hydrated and smooth, too.

How to use: Swap out olive oil for other natural oils, like vitamin E oil or avocado oil, if you like!

Water + Apple Cider Vinegar

It turns out that apple cider vinegar does more than just boost your immune system - it’s also great for your hair! This shampoo alternative is ideal for those with oily hair or dandruff. Simply mix 2-4 (depending on how oily your hair is) tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to one and a half cups of water and massage in from root to tip.

How to use: This works best when applied using a spray bottle as to not over-saturate hair. Leave the mixture on for about five minutes before rinsing out.

Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul Clay is another hybrid alternative for shampoo and conditioner. It’s rich in minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium which help restore damaged hair while absorbing excess sebum and dirt from the scalp and strands. You can also use this on your skin as a DIY detoxifying mask.

How to use: Mix two spoonfuls of rhassoul clay with just enough boiling water to create a paste. Let the paste cool, and lather on hair. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Herbal Tea

It sounds weird, but next time you put the kettle to make yourself an herbal tea, why not try washing your hair with it too?! Herbal teas are great for gently cleansing hair, with different teas being better suited for different hair types. For example, chamomile tea is best for blonde hair and rosemary tea is best for dark hair. 

How to use: You can either make yourself a pot of herbal tea and quite literally pour it on your head, gently massaging your scalp, or you can mix it together with a few teaspoons of your favourite essential oil and some baking soda for a more thorough cleanse.

Water + Lemon Juice

Not ideal for greasy hair but perfect for those of us with strands on the drier side, lemon juice is a great cleanser as it has strong anti-bacterial properties. It also works as a pseudo-purple shampoo for blondes, helping reduce brassy tones and keep blonde hues bright. 

How to use: Squeeze an entire lemon into a cup of water and lather onto hair. Leave it to sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing out.

Water + Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a magical natural ingredient. Not only does it help fight acne but it also works as an amazing alternative to anti-dandruff shampoo! If you suffer from psoriasis of the scalp, severe irritation or seborrheic dermatitis, try using tea tree oil as your shampoo instead. You can also spot treatment certain areas of the scalp if they need a little extra attention.

How to use: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with water (there’s no exact measurement that’s right or wrong here!) and massage for 3-5 minutes into scalp before rinsing.

Have you tried any of these natural shampoos? What’s your best DIY hair treatment tip?

Main image via @ssssamanthaa