Most of us like the feeling of clean hair. But if you've
been around for any length of time you know that there are
serious "rumors" about the impact of the chemicals in most
shampoos, even the so-called "organic" brands.
Read up on shampoo and you might hear about a common
ingredient called
MIT (methylisothiazoline) found in many
brands. Unbelievably, this chemical can cause neurological
damage! Others contain
sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS (and
several similar chemical cousins) which are used to cause
shampoos to lather up nicely. These chemicals have been
labeled as irritating, dangerous, highly damaging to the
liver, and worst of all . . . carcinogenic.
We've
been conditioned (pun intended) to shampoo our hair to keep
it clean. It's what "civilized women" do. Doing this
regularly just seems so "right" and "proper." But the truth
is that it is really not all that healthy to put these
products on our bodies.
An Alternative to Shampoo
So what can you use as an alternative to clean your hair?
Because I had heard that baking soda could be used with a
vinegar chaser, so I did a little research to find more
detailed instructions for exactly how such ingredients
should be applied to my hair.
I must admit, the first time I used this approach, I was a
little reluctant. I had to get used to the idea that the
baking soda wouldn't lather up like shampoo. Once you accept
that sudsing is really just caused by the harmful chemicals
used in shampoo, it's much easier to embrace the lack of
soapsuds.
So here are my recommendation for how to mix up these
solutions and clean your hair in a more natural way:
How to Mix Your Solutions
First, to mix up your ingredients, you will need two squeeze
bottles, a box of baking soda (it should be aluminum free),
and Organic White Vinegar. For neutralizing and improving
the smell of the vinegar wash you'll create, you can add
essential oils or herbs (like one cinnamon stick which will
likely last through several bottles full of your vinegar
"chaser" mix). You might also want to try adding 1/2 teaspoon of
vanilla to freshen up your mix.
Mix one part aluminum-free baking soda to three parts water
and put it into one squeeze bottle. In the second bottle mix
one part Organic White Vinegar to four parts of water. Add
your essential oils, or a cinnamon stick and maybe 1/2
teaspoon of vanilla, or choose your own herbs based upon
your own fragrance preferences.
How to "Wash" Your Hair
To begin your "wash," take the squeeze bottle containing the
baking soda solution, shake it well and then squeeze a
generous amount onto your dry scalp. Mix it into your hair
while massaging your scalp for a few moments; I would leave
it on your hair for about two minutes before a thorough
rinsing.
Follow this up with the Organic White Vinegar. Rub it into
the hair and leave it there for a few moments before rinsing
it out completely. You hair should end up smelling fragrant
and feeling fantastic.
Try this yourself and I think you'll agree that your hair
smells and feels very fresh along with the sensation that
your scalp is quite clean. Your hair color will be stronger
and the shine more impressive. You won't find that your
tresses will be any greasier than when you used shampoo. But
best of all, you should only have to use this method once or
twice a week, so it takes less effort than shampoo.
It's hard not to feel excited by this cleansing change. Not
only will you be liberated from shampoo and conditioner,
you'll be spending far less money. A package of baking soda
and a bottle of vinegar will last you for several months.
I hope you'll give it a try!
