Going shampoo-free: a question for the chemists

[copperwolf]

I've been doing the no-shampoo thing for about a month.  I cut my hair boyishly short over the summer, and I thought it was a good opportunity to try this method of cleaning my hair with baking soda solution and apple cider vinegar solution.  I was a little apprehensive about the baking soda and used only two teaspoons instead of three teaspoons (

Comments

[stryck]

Baking soda is alkaline, so by combining with water you are making a weak alkaline solution. Soap is made of an alkaline solution (like lye) combined with a fat (of any kind). So the weak alkaline solution would combine with some of your natural oil and make a very mild soap.

At least, that's what I'd guess from the chemistry I know.

[dewhitton]

That was my thought, as well. You can get a good lather if you wash your hands with bleach - (long rinse afterwards, and don't have any cuts!) - because the alkaline solution + skin oils react this way.