Learn how to make an easy melt and pour shampoo bar recipe. Shampoo bars are an eco friendly alternative to using shampoo in a bottle because there's less waste. It cleanses your hair while nourishing it for softer and more manageable hair.
Goat's Milk Melt and Pour Shampoo Bar Recipe
Shampoo bars are solid bars of soap formulated just for your hair. Most shampoo bar recipes call for lye because they are made with the cold process method. While these recipes are amazing, I wanted a quicker alternative.
Since this easy shampoo bar recipe starts with melt and pour soap, you can make it in less than an hour and use it the following day.
I also added cocoa butter and calendula infused oil for my shampoo bar to moisturize your hair and leave it feeling silky smooth.
For more DIY hair care ideas, check out these posts:
- DIY Heat Protection Spray
- Coconut Oil and Peppermint Hair Mask
- Aloe Vera Hair Mask Recipe
- 6 Easy Hair Masks for Dry, Damaged Hair
- DIY Detangler Spray
- How to Make Hot Oil Treatment for Hair
Keep track of your favorite DIY beauty recipes with my essential oil journal. You can print the pages to create a 3 ring binder to save your recipes, essential oil blends, inventory, notes, and more.
Benefits of Using Handmade Shampoo Bars
Environmental Impact: Reducing Plastic Waste
One of the most significant benefits of using shampoo bars is their positive impact on the environment. By eliminating plastic bottles, you reduce plastic waste and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Health Benefits: Free from Harsh Chemicals
Handmade shampoo bars are formulated without harsh chemicals, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. This makes them gentler on the scalp and hair, reducing the risk of irritation and damage.
Cost-Effectiveness and Long-Term Savings
Although the initial investment in ingredients and supplies may seem higher, shampoo bars offer long-term savings. They are concentrated and last longer than liquid shampoos, making them cost-effective.
Best Soap Base for Homemade Shampoo Bars
Everyone has different hair needs, so you can choose the best melt and pour soap base.
- Stephenson's Syndopour Solid Shampoo Base. This melt and pour base is specifically formulated to be a shampoo bar. It's not easy to find, and many times it's mislabeled on Amazon. You can find it at Bulk Apothecary.
- Crafter's Choice Shampoo Base. I've been hesitant to recommend Crafter's Choice due to them stealing my designs in the past, but they are under new ownership. I haven't used their shampoo base, but it has good reviews.
- Goat's Milk Soap. I made a goat's milk melt and pour shampoo bar recipe. I like this base because it works well for most hair types, and it also makes a moisturizing bar of soap. Buy it from HB Oils or Amazon.
- Butters. I added cocoa butter, but you can also use a butter soap base. I like to use a shea butter melt and pour base or a triple butter soap base with cocoa butter, mango butter, and shea butter. Learn more about types of butters and their benefits for hair and skin.
- Honey Soap Base. Honey is wonderful for your hair, especially for dry hair. Try using a honey soap base for a DIY shampoo bar. Learn more about honey benefits for skin and hair.
- Coconut Oil Soap Base. I love using coconut oil for my curls. Try using a coconut oil soap base for your easy shampoo bars.
Best Essential Oils for Melt and Pour Shampoo Bar Recipe
I used essential oils for a natural scent and to promote hair health. Here are some of my favorite essential oils for hair care:
- Peppermint essential oil
- Sandalwood essential oil
- Bergamot essential oil
- Frankincense essential oil
- Ylang ylang essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Tea tree essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
I buy my essential oils from Simply Earth, Plant Therapy, or Mountain Rose Herbs.
Customizing Your Shampoo Bars
Adding Natural Colorants: Mica, Clays, and Botanicals
Natural colorants can enhance the visual appeal of your shampoo bars. Mica powders provide vibrant colors and clays add earthy tones and additional cleansing properties.
Enhancing with Botanicals: Dried Herbs and Flowers
Dried flowers can grow mold and rot in your soap. You can add cornflower petals or calendula without them rotting. To get the benefits of other flowers or herbs, use an infused oil instead.
Using Carrier Oils for Their Benefits
I used calendula oil because it's my favorite infused oil for hair and skin. You can learn how to make calendula oil or buy calendula infused oil. You can also use a different herbal oil. Plantain infused oil would also be a great choice.
You can also use a plain carrier oil. Try one of these best carrier oils for hair.
Tips for Making Melt and Pour Shampoo Bar Recipe
Here are some tips for success:
- Be careful not to overhead the soap base. This can cause it to get rubbery.
- Don't add more essential oils or oils than the recipe calls for. They may not mix in the soap base, which can cause it to sweat excess liquids.
- Spray the top of the mold with rubbing alcohol to pop air bubbles and create a smooth bar.
- If you are adding anything heavy like clay or calendula, let the base cool slightly before pouring. This will help prevent the ingredients from sinking to the bottom.
Shampoo Bar Storage
Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Allow the bars to dry completely between uses to extend their lifespan and prevent them from becoming mushy.
The shelf life of homemade shampoo bars can vary, but they typically last several months to a year. To extend their lifespan, store them properly and avoid exposing them to moisture.
How to Use Shampoo Bars Effectively
Using shampoo bars is straightforward. Wet your hair and the bar, then rub the bar between your hands to create a lather. Apply the lather to your hair, massaging it into the scalp. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a conditioner if needed.
Always place the shampoo bar on a soap dish and let dry in between uses. I keep mine in the cabinet outside of the shower so it doesn't dissolve in the shower.
Transitioning from liquid shampoo to shampoo bars may take some time as your hair adjusts. Initially, your hair may feel different, but this is normal. To ease the transition, use an apple cider vinegar rinse to remove residue and restore the scalp’s natural pH balance.
Follow with your favorite conditioner or this DIY conditioner bar recipe.
Melt and Pour Shampoo Bar Ingredients
This makes around 3 to 4 soap bars if using the same mold.
- 1 pound goat's milk melt and pour soap base
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons calendula infused oil
- 20-25 drops rosemary essential oil
- Soap mold
How to Make Melt and Pour Shampoo Bar
Step #1
Cut the melt and pour soap into 1 inch cubes. Add the cocoa butter and melt slowly in a double boiler. You can also use the microwave in 30 second bursts, but be careful not to overheat. Stir well.
Step #2
Remove from heat and add the infused oil and stir. Let cool for a minute and add the essential oils. Stir well.
Step #3
Pour into the mold. Let fully harden before moving. Remove from the mold, and you can use your shampoo bar right away.
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Goat's Milk Melt and Pour Soap Recipe
materials:
- 1 pound goat's milk melt and pour soap base
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons calendula infused oil
- 20-25 drops rosemary essential oil
tools:
- Soap mold
- Knife
- Spoon
- Double boiler
steps:
- Cut the melt and pour soap into 1 inch cubes. Add the cocoa butter and melt slowly in a double boiler. You can also use the microwave in 30 second bursts, but be careful not to overheat. Stir well.
- Remove from heat and add the infused oil and stir. Let cool for a minute and add the essential oils. Stir well.
- Pour into the mold. Let fully harden before moving. Remove from the mold, and you can use your shampoo bar right away.
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