Lately, more curlies are starting to ditch their normal shampoos because of the sulfates and parabens that are drying to curly and coily hair. Instead of using commercial shampoos, DIY shampoos are starting to become equally effective and a less costly alternative. In addition, they’re easy to make and consist of ingredients that you’re more likely to already have in your home. If a chemical-free shampoo is something that you are looking for, you may be interested in baking soda shampoo. This slideshow will present the pros and cons for you to decide if this is option is one you want to consider.
Pros and Cons of Baking Soda Shampoo
Pro: Affordable
Only two ingredients are needed to create this shampoo, which are baking soda and water. A box is baking soda is affordable and can last a long time. This can help you save money or allow you to splurge on other things that you enjoy.
Pro: Healthier Option
The purpose of shampoo is to clarify hair by removing dirt and product buildup. Commercial shampoos with chemicals remove the natural oils from our hair that we want to keep. When used properly, baking soda shampoo will not excessively remove the oil from the hair and scalp.
Pro: Easily Accessible
Baking soda is a product that is usually in households. It’s also not difficult to find in stores and you won’t have to use a “store locator” button to find it!
Pro: Easy to Make
A batch of baking soda shampoo is easy and quick to make. All you need is baking soda and water. The measurements are 1/4-baking soda and 3/4-water. The shampoo will have a paste like consistency. If you want your shampoo to be a little thinner, add more water to your liking. If you like your shampoo to have fragrance, just add a few drops of an essential oil.
Pro: Save Time
Baking soda shampoo is so cleansing that you may only need to shampoo your hair 1-2 times a month. With this option you can fill your calendar with social events and “me” time!
Con: You have to normalize the pH afterward
Baking soda has a pH balance of about nine. Your pH balance has to be normalized after the use of this shampoo. This means that you have to follow up with a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse to normalize your hair’s pH balance. Not too crazy over the vinegar smell? Add your favorite essential oils to make it smell more pleasant.
Con: No Suds
This shampoo doesn’t lather like standard shampoos do. Some prefer the suds of shampoo because it enhances the experience. Some also associate the suds with the hair being clean. If you prefer shampoo suds, then this may not be an option for you.
Con: Body adjustment
It will take time for your body to adjust to this mixture. Depending on how often you cleanse your hair, it can take up to a month for your body to adjust. Your hair may feel oiler than usual, but be patient and give your body time for it to adjust.
Con: Preparations
In order to maintain the freshness, it’s best to make a batch of baking soda shampoo for single use. Some enjoy the convenience of just grabbing a bottle of shampoo. If creating a shampoo isn’t something that you are interested in, adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo is another option.