Homemade Shampoo - The French Alternative

Jackie French showed how to make an old-fashioned shampoo that is really good for your hair, because it does not contain harsh detergents. It's also cheap to make and it smells gorgeous. Jackie says that some old-fashioned things are well worth preserving!

Lemon, Lavender & Rosemary Shampoo

Ingredients

4 cups water
peel of 2 lemons
1 branch rosemary
1/3 cup pure soap flakes, or grated soap
1 tablespoon glycerine (from the supermarket)
1 teaspoon lavender essential oil (not a massage oil scented with lavender - if you can't find the real thing leave it out)

Method

1. Put the lemon peel, rosemary and water into a large saucepan. Put the lid on the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Remove the peel and rosemary, then add the soap flakes and stir until dissolved.

3. Add the glycerine and stir again. Turn off the heat. Add the lavender oil and let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes, then use a funnel to pour it into a plastic bottle. (Tip: don't use glass - it's dangerous in the bathroom).

4. As the mixture cools it will thicken; shake it up a few times to make sure it doesn't separate. After a few hours you should have a thick, pale yellow liquid.

Rinse

lavender flowers or mint leaves (added for the scent only - they can be omitted)
1 cup white vinegar
3 cups water

To make the rinse, simply combine the herbs, vinegar and water in another plastic bottle and give it a good shake.

Using and storing your shampoo

Use a good handful of the shampoo to work up a decent lather. Wash your hair once (or twice if it's very dirty), then rinse with about half the vinegar rinse. Make sure the rinse doesn't get in your eyes. Rinse again with ordinary water, then dry normally.

Keep the shampoo in a cool place, and throw it out if starts to look or smell odd - remember, it doesn't contain any preservatives.

Further reading

Jackie's article on homemade shampoo is in the August 2002 edition of the Burke's Backyard Magazine, available at newsagents and supermarkets for $4.95.

Copyright CTC Productions 2002