Listen, I ditched commercial shampoos and conditioners four years ago, and I haven’t looked back—not even at those fancy “cleaner” versions that still sneak in sketchy ingredients and cost a small fortune. My hair-washing journey took a wild turn when I started using egg yolks. Yep, you heard me right—egg yolks! I’ve got this coarse, thick mane that was the absolute bane of my existence growing up, but now that menopause has rolled in, I’m honestly grateful for it. Shampoos just left it dry and rebellious, like it was staging a personal uprising. Then, during my training as a GAPS practitioner, I stumbled across the egg yolk trick, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. My hair comes out soft, manageable, and honestly, I’m obsessed.

But—have you seen the price of eggs lately? I mean, ouch, right? You’ve probably noticed too. So, I figured it was time to hunt down a cheaper option. I scoured the internet, wading through DIY recipes, and frankly, none of them vibed with me. Then it hit me—way back when my kids were little, I used to whip up this thing called “no-poo” shampoo. If you’re scratching your head wondering what that is, here’s the quick scoop:

The “no poo” (short for “no shampoo”) trend kicked off in the early 2000s when folks started craving a natural, DIY fix to dodge all those sulfates, silicones, and synthetic gunk in store-bought stuff.

I remembered loving it back in the day, and for the life of me, I couldn’t recall why I ever stopped. So, I dove into my old recipe stash from my Fearless. Feminine. Female. blog days (shoutout to the Wayback Machine for saving my bacon), and boom—there it was, my trusty “no-poo” recipe, ready to make a comeback!

There are a few different recipes online but the most common “no poo” recipe uses baking soda and apple cider vinegar (ACV) to cleanse and condition the hair. Below is a simple recipe, along with instructions, tips, and variations based on hair type. This method leverages basic pantry ingredients to maintain hair health without traditional shampoo.

Basic No Poo Shampoo Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Wash (Cleanser):
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). I use Bob’s Red Mill for its purity
  • 1 cup (8 oz) filtered, warm water
• For the Rinse (Conditioner):
  • 1-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (organic, raw and unfiltered preferred) I use Fairchild’s (Bragg’s sold out and is no longer the product it use to be).
  • 1 cup (8 oz) filtered, warm water

Equipment:

• Two small containers or squeeze bottles (e.g., repurposed condiment bottles)
• Measuring spoons
• Optional: A funnel for easy mixing

Directions:

1. Prepare the Baking Soda Wash:
   • Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water in a container. Stir until the baking soda mostly dissolves. (It’s okay if it’s slightly cloudy.)
   • This acts as the cleansing agent, removing oil and dirt from your scalp and hair.
2. Prepare the ACV Rinse:
   • Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of warm water in a separate container. Stir gently to combine.
   • This restores your scalp’s pH balance and conditions your hair, leaving it soft and shiny.
3. Application:
   • Step 1: Wet Hair – Thoroughly wet your hair with warm water in the shower.
   • Step 2: Apply Baking Soda Wash – Pour or squeeze the baking soda mixture onto your scalp, focusing on the roots. Massage it in with your fingertips for 1-2 minutes to lift oil and grime. You won’t see lather like with traditional shampoo—this is normal.
   • Step 3: Rinse – Rinse the baking soda mixture out completely with warm water.
   • Step 4: Apply ACV Rinse – Pour the ACV mixture over your hair, focusing on the lengths and ends. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes (don’t worry about the vinegar smell—it dissipates as your hair dries).
   • Step 5: Rinse Again – Rinse thoroughly with warm water. For extra conditioning, you can skip this final rinse, but most prefer to rinse it out.
4. Dry and Style:
   • Towel dry or air dry your hair as usual. You may notice it feels different—clean but not stripped.

Tips for Success:

• Transition Period: If you’re switching from commercial shampoo, your scalp may take 2-6 weeks to adjust as it rebalances natural oil production. Hair might feel greasy or waxy during this time—stick with it!
• Frequency: Use this method 1-2 times a week, or as needed. Over time, many find they wash less often as their scalp adjusts.
• Storage: Mix fresh batches each time for best results, as these solutions don’t have preservatives. If you must store them, keep in a cool, dark place and use within a day or two. I have also kept a week’s worth in the fridge.
• Smell: The ACV scent fades as your hair dries. If it bothers you, add a drop of essential oil (e.g., lavender) to the rinse.

Variations by Hair Type:

• Oily Hair:
  • Increase baking soda to 1.5 tablespoons per cup of water for stronger cleansing.
  • Use 1 tablespoon ACV to avoid over-conditioning.
• Dry or Curly Hair:
  • Reduce baking soda to ½ tablespoon to prevent over-drying.
  • Increase ACV to 2-3 tablespoons for extra moisture, and consider leaving the rinse in without washing it out.
• Hard Water Areas:
  • Add a pinch of food-grade citric acid to the ACV rinse to combat mineral buildup.
• Sensitive Scalp:
  • Dilute further (e.g., ½ tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon ACV) and test on a small area first.
• For Dandruff:
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water.
  • Apply to a wet scalp, massage gently for 1-2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
  • Follow with an ACV rinse (1-2 tablespoons ACV in 1 cup water) to balance pH and condition.
  • Frequency: Use once or twice a week—overuse can dry out the scalp, worsening dandruff in some cases.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Essential Oils: 2-3 drops (e.g., peppermint for a cooling effect, rosemary for hair growth) in either mix for scent and benefits.
• Honey: 1 teaspoon in the ACV rinse for added hydration (dissolve in warm water first).
• Herbal Infusion: Steep herbs like chamomile (for light hair) or sage (for dark hair) in the water before mixing for a natural boost.

Why It Works:

• Baking Soda: Baking soda has a slightly abrasive, crystalline texture. When you massage it into your scalp (e.g., mixed with water as in the “no poo” recipe), it acts as a physical exfoliant, loosening and removing dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oil (sebum). It also has anti-fungal properties which can be beneficial for dandruff and itchy, flaky scalp.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Acidic (pH 3), it balances the scalp’s natural pH (4.5-5.5), smooths the hair cuticle, and detangles without heavy oils or silicones.

Precautions:

• Don’t Overdo It: Baking soda is alkaline (pH ~9), so overuse can dry out hair or irritate the scalp. Stick to the recommended ratio and frequency.
• Patch Test: If you have sensitive skin or allergies, test the mixture on a small area of your scalp first.
• Not for Everyone: Some find this method too harsh long-term due to pH imbalance. If your hair feels brittle or scalp irritated after a month, discontinue or use less frequently.

So, I’m returning to using my “No-Poo” shampoo (at least until the price of organic, pastured eggs comes down).

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