Easy Homemade Shampoo and Conditioner with Soapnut Powder, Marshmallow Root, and More. Organic, Natural, Plastic-Free Haircare.

I put together an easy homemade shampoo that works for my hair made from soapnut powder (also known as soapberries and reetha/ritha) and a marshmallow root or slippery elm conditioner. I just mix them up before my shower. Hair and scalp types vary widely, so you will probably have to experiment with this to get it correct for your type. (Additionally, I started using a conditioner bar with my hair getting so long.) If you have been using store bought shampoo there will most likely be an adjustment period for your scalp and hair. In addition, I have never colored my hair, so I don’t know if this works for color treated hair. I’m just sharing a recipe that works for me; try it at your own risk!

As part of the Amazon Associates and other affiliate programs, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the links on my site. Amazon and all business names/trademarks are the property of each respective company.

Also, when mixing the dry powders, before adding water, be careful as they can be airy. Shikakai makes me sneeze if the powder floats up to my nose. And, like any shampoo or soap, shikakai and soapnut will irritate your eyes, so keep away from your eyes.
​
—I have updated my routine to simply mixing all the powders together and adding water in a bowl. Instructions are below for that method and after that are my original instructions.

All the products I mention and link here are mostly plastic-free or totally plastic-free (at the time of this writing). Also, most of them are organic and from small businesses.

I have linked all the ingredients below on Amazon and Etsy. (You can just click on each ingredient)

Ingredients Shopping List

• Organic Soapnut Powder
• Organic Shikakai Powder
• Organic Amla Powder​
• Organic Marshmallow Root Powder or Slippery Elm Powder
• Organic Neem Powder (I don’t use neem powder anymore on my hair, but left it linked here as it’s a good brand).
• Organic Hibiscus Powder
• Rhassoul Clay
• Organic Nettle Extract
• Organic Yucca Extract
• Organic Shampoo Bar (The bar is not part of my homemade hair wash. I just include it here, because I use it occasionally on days when I don’t have time to make my hair wash. It’s also handy for travel.)
• Conditioner Bar (With my hair getting so long, it needed some extra conditioning.)
• Organic Vegetable Glycerin (this is in a plastic bottle, but I have been using it mixed in water with the above conditioner bar for extra moisture and detangling).
• Foraged Fields Hair Oil

Some additional products that are helpful:

• ​Scalp Massager
• Glass Jars to Store Powders
• Bowl To Mix In (I started using this Matcha set for mixing)
• Measuring Spoon (I use it for stirring too)
• Pure Essential Oils Such As: Tea Tree, Rosemary, Frankincense.
  *I also really like Maple Holistics Rosemary and Peppermint oils.
• Sometimes I add apple cider vinegar when I add the water.

TIP: I do not comb or brush my hair when it’s wet. I wait until it’s dry to comb/brush it. I’ve found this to help reduce breakage, which is what helps hair grow longer. I used a boar bristle brush for several months, but went back to only using a wide-tooth comb. I left the brush linked, as for those who like boar bristle, it’s a good one.

• ​Wide Tooth Sandalwood Comb
• ​Wood and Boar Bristle Brush

Directions

1. I use 1 1/2 or 2 teaspoons of soapnut powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons marshmallow root or slippery elm powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of the other powders. (You can experiment with different amounts or powders for your hair type.)
2. Use a bowl or jar to mix all the powders together in.
3. Add enough hot water to make a paste or liquid (depending on how you want to apply it), mixing thoroughly as you add the water.
4. Add nettle extract and yucca extract (I use 6 drops of each). You can also add an essential oil(s) of your choice and stir.
5. Massage into scalp and hair.
6. Let it set on your scalp and hair for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
7. Use conditioner bar (and add glycerin if desired for more detangling).
8. Towel dry hair and add an oil of your choice to the ends and lower portion of hair.
9. ​Wait until hair is dry to comb or brush it.

Some days if I’m extra tired or in a hurry, I will just wash my hair with this shampoo bar. Plus, hair seems to do well with a few products to rotate with, so it’s nice to have this bar on hand.

I found this conditioner bar on Etsy that has really helped detangle and nourish my hair now that it’s getting so long.

Below are my original instructions for making a separate shampoo and conditioner mix:

Shampoo/Hair Wash Mix

• Take a squirt tip bottle and a funnel to add the ingredients easily into the bottle.

• Add the soapnut, shikakai, and amla powders one scoop at a time. Depending on your hair length and thickness, you will have to experiment with the amount. I use 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons soapnut, 1/2 teaspoon shikakai, and 1/2 teaspoon amla.

• I also add two drops of tea tree oil, but you can put other essential oils in.

• You can add other powders too of your choice.

• Next, add hot tap water.

• And lastly, shake well! Then let it sit while you get ready to shower and shake again. Letting it set and shaking makes the powders dissolve that get stuck at the bottom of the bottle.

This is a liquid shampoo. I squirt it directly on my scalp with one hand and massage it around my scalp at the same time with my other hand.

I also use this scalp massager to help work it around my scalp. (I like that one because it’s solid silicone in one piece, so it’s easy to keep clean: no spaces for water or mold to get in.)

​Since this type of shampoo barely makes suds, the key is working it into your scalp. It does clean the scalp and hair; you just have to get used to not having a sudsy shampoo.

---

Conditioner

Organic Marshmallow Root Powder
from: Starwest Botanicals Inc.

• After rinsing the shampoo out, I use two teaspoons marshmallow root powder or slippery elm powder mixed in hot tap water with a few drops oil if my hair is especially dry, and an essential oil of choice (rosemary, frankincense, peppermint). I leave that in my hair for a few minutes before rinsing.​​

• I started adding hibiscus powder and red rose powder along with the marshmallow or slipper elm powder and have been very pleased with the results on my hair.

• Last of all, I wrap my hair in a towel to dry it some. Then I use one of the oils listed below to scrunch through my hair. I do not comb or brush my hair wet. I wait until it’s dry to comb it.

---

Oils

There are many types of oils to choose from. Below are some of my favorites.

• Argan Oil
• Babassu Oil
• Marula Oil
• Moringa Oil
• Foraged Fields Hair Oil

Again, there are different hair types, so you will have to experiment with what works for you. These are just the products I personally use and have found the companies to be quality and reputable. The babassu oil is like a light coconut oil. I switched to using it instead of coconut oil, because it is lighter but similar in quality. Coconut oil would make my skin break out when the oil got on my skin from my hair. Babassu oil even looks like coconut oil when it’s cold. At warmer room temperatures (upper 70s) it is totally liquid.

The argan oil is a heavier oil than babassu in my opinion, so I use a smaller amount of it. The marula oil is very nourishing and my favorite one to put on the lower portion of my hair, braid it and then it gives me smooth braid waves. The Foraged Fields Hair Oil is made with pumpkin seed oil, jojoba oil, and rosemary. 

This is the sandalwood comb I use:

• PURE SANDALWOOD COMB

I hope this helps you have healthy hair as well. I’ve also found it saves money making my own shampoo. I don’t have to use other products on my hair besides the above mentioned oils. It cuts down on plastic bottles too! In addition, the ingredients are so basic, whereas store bought shampoos have so many ingredients that aren’t actually healthy.

Regular shampoo tends to strip your hair and is usually the wrong pH for scalp and hair. Soapnuts and shikakai have a pH of between 4 and 6, which is ideal for hair and scalp. I’ve found my hair keeps improving the longer I use them.

​Again, there is an adjustment period while adapting and also while you find the correct ratios and customization for yourself.

Here are my YouTube videos on this topic; I’ve included my original one and subsequent ones.

And, here is another video I made about using a sandalwood comb and boar hair brush. The brush in the video has bristles that are 100% boar hair and the handle is bamboo. There is a rubber base where the bristles attach that smells like rubber, but I washed it and let it air out for a few days until the smell went away. I've since switched to a boar hair and bamboo brush that doesn't have a rubber base. Brushes linked below:

• Beauty By Earth Brush in Video
• Bass Brush I'm Using Now

I also wrote a blog post about my minimalist skincare routine and natural makeup. Here is the link if you’d like to read it: www.starlightsarah.com/blog/minimalist-skincare-routine-2-step-routine-and-simple-makeup-organic-basic-and-inexpensive-skincare

---

Here is another blog post from a hair care professional who has some excellent natural remedies for hair health, in addition to a wealth of hair knowledge and tips:

3generationshair.com/natural-remedies-for-your-hair/

---

The banner below links to an herbal supply company where I get my marshmallow root powder. They have lots of other great items as well!