Basic Shampoo Bars
Create your own natural shampoo bars with this nourishing recipe. Infused with herbal goodness, these bars are perfect for a gentle, effective clean.
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 9 oz coconut oil
- 9 oz olive oil herb infused
- 4 oz sunflower oil
- 3 oz castor oil
- 3 oz sweet almond oil
Liquids and Lye
- 3.9 oz lye
- 8.9 oz water
Essential Oils
- 1 oz. essential oil of preference. I am using rosemary and peppermint
Instructions
- Put on gloves, goggles, and long sleeves for protection.
- Measure cold water and pour it into a heatproof pitcher.
- Next, weigh the lye. Add the lye to the water and mix until dissolved.
- Allow the lye solution to cool for 30 to 40 minutes until it reaches a temperature of about 100 to 110°F (38 to 43°C). To speed this up, you can place the pitcher in the sink filled with ice water.
- Weigh the oils accurately. Melt the coconut oil in a stainless pot on the stove, then add in the other oils. This should warm the oil mixture to approximately 90 to 100°F (32 to 38°C).
- If necessary, gently warm the oils in a stainless steel pot to achieve a temperature between 90 to 100°F (32 to 38°C).
- Carefully pour the cooled lye solution into the oil mixture. Mix them by alternating between hand stirring and using a stick (or immersion) blender until the mixture reaches ‘trace’.
- Stir in the essential oils. Then, pour the soap mixture into a mold. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to create a design on the soap’s surface if you like. Cover it (I use a piece of cardboard) and insulate with a towel or blanket.
- Let the soap set in the mold for 1 to 2 days. Afterward, remove it from the mold and cut it into bars.
- Place the bars in an open area to cure for 4 to 6 weeks before they are ready for use. And voilà! You have made your very own shampoo bars.
Notes
- To infuse your oil with herbs, begin by combining about one cup of olive oil with a quarter cup of dried herbs such as rosemary, nettles, or even mint. Allow this mixture to infuse in a cool, dark place for a minimum of two weeks, letting nature do its work.
- When it comes to adding essential oils to your shampoo bar recipe, the amount you use can vary based on personal preference and the strength of the essential oil’s scent. However, a general guideline for soap making is to use about 0.5 to 1 ounce of essential oil per pound of soap. Other essential oils such as lavender or tea tree are good choices.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!