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How to Make Homemade Shampoo (Only Two Ingredients)

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A simple shampoo recipe without castile soap!

Margaret Boyles
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One day early last spring, I counted the ingredients of my shampoos. Each contained at least 20 ingredients—many of them unpronounceable—and three or four of them had suspected toxins. Two contained fragrances that made me sneeze. On that day, I decided to try an easy two-ingredient homemade shampoo that I’d read about for years but that had always seemed too hokey. I’ve never looked back.

Baking Soda and Cider Vinegar

My new strategy calls for an alkaline washing ingredient—baking soda—followed by an acidic rinse of apple cider vinegar. That’s it!

To my surprise, the two-ingredient method worked well, leaving my hair clean, shiny, and more manageable than any of the hundred products or combinations of products that I’ve used through the decades.

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This was cheap, easy, remarkably effective, and probably a lot safer. I always have these ingredients on hand for various household uses.

Like me, you probably won’t believe that the baking soda method will actually clean your hair, so you’ll want to give it your first try on a vacation or weekend day when you have the time to repeat with your usual routine if you don’t like the results.

I’ve seen dozens of “recipes” for this natural approach to hair care. I don’t think that the exact proportions matter. I just fiddled around until I found what worked well for me.

How to Make Homemade Shampoo

Here’s how to both make and use the two-ingredient shampoo:

  • I pour a bit less than half a cup of baking soda into a small bowl and 1/2 cup of cider vinegar into another.
  • Then I add a couple of cups of warm water to each bowl.
  • I pour the dissolved baking soda solution through my wet hair.
  • Then I rinse my hair well.
  • Finally, I pour the vinegar solution through. I usually don’t rinse it out, but you can. Either way, the vinegar smell disappears within minutes.

It took me a while to get used to the idea that just pouring a solution through my hair with no scrubbing or lathering could get it clean, but it really does. I haven’t found a need for conditioning, but I haven’t tested my new shampoo through a dry New England winter yet. But advocates of this hair care method suggest adding a few drops of olive, sesame, castor or some other oil to the washing solution for frizz or static control.

Some of my friends (who are now converted) use this shampoo along with another one to mix it up.  That works, too. Do what works for you! 

Learn more
Check the safety rating on the personal-care products you use for yourself and your family. Environmental Working Groups staff scientists compare the ingredients on personal care product labels and websites with information in nearly 60 toxicity and regulatory databases.

See more DIY natural toiletry products.

Wellness
About The Author

Margaret Boyles

Margaret Boyles is a longtime contributor to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. She wrote for UNH Cooperative Extension, managed NH Outside, and contributes to various media covering environmental and human health issues. Read More from Margaret Boyles
 

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Comments

jessica gonzalez (not verified)

10 years 8 months ago

Does it work the same for curly hair, and is it safe for young children,5 and up

Dandyo (not verified)

11 years ago

I used this for the first time on color treated hair (Natural Instincts). I used 1 tbsp of baking soda to 8 oz warm water. One tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 8 oz water. I am 64 years old. This made my hair fuller. I have chin length hair. I love this! And I will continue using it. It is so cheap, natural & easy.

I've used this same formula for at least 5 years. I have long hair so I do 2 tbsp. baking soda to 2 cups warm water for the wash, and 2 oz vinegar to 2 cups warm water for my rinse. My hair is gray so I use white vinegar and it gives my hair a nice shine. I'll never go back to shampoo from the store!

Laurie Dement (not verified)

11 years 7 months ago

Can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to more.

Peter M (not verified)

11 years 9 months ago

Wonderful article. I've also been using these ingredients to clean my hair for a few years, it's healthier than it's ever been, and before this I had been using organic/natural shampoos, from the health food stores, for most of my life. Tip: I replaced the ACV with fresh lemon juice; smells better and highlights the hair.

Eltouum (not verified)

11 years 10 months ago

hi as a chemist i would like to say the bad smell of vinegar dissapears because the latter is neutralised by the soda another thing is that i used vinegar with henna an the result was fantastic shine hair now h sold a hair cream nder the name of shiny hair because of vinegar good luck

Eltouum (not verified)

11 years 10 months ago

hi as a chemist i would like to ssaay the bad smell of vinegar dissapears because the latter is neutralised by the soda another thing is that i used vinegar with henna an the result was fantastic shine hair now h sold a hair cream nder the name of shiny hair because of vinegar good luck

Elle James (not verified)

12 years 2 months ago

This shampoo is wonderful & my hair looks great.

kathleen himmer (not verified)

13 years ago

Do you think regular vinegar (not cider) would work as well?

Yes, regular white vinegar works as well. Vinegar just acts as a detangler. I use white vinegar because apple cider vinegar made my hair too greasy.