We’re getting eco-friendly in the shower! In the United States alone, there is an estimated 550 million shampoo bottles thrown away each year, that’s not including conditioner bottles, body wash, shaving creams, face washes, etc., but this article will focus on shampoos. The solution is a solid shampoo.
A Solid Shampoo is a highly concentrated sturdy block made of ingredients used to wash hair. It is a solid version of the commercial liquid shampoos and looks exactly similar to the well-known body bar soap.
This popular alternative for liquid shampoo is just as effective and has many benefits.
Benefits of Solid Shampoos
- Eco-friendly. I think this reason alone is good enough, but if you need more convincing. There’s no plastic packaging, less water, and it’s lighter so fewer carbon emissions.
- Long Lasting. This does depend on how often you shower and how much hair you have, but it has been known to last a few months. Solid Shampoos are not full of water, the ingredients are in a concentrated block, so less is more.
- Travel Friendly. It is not a liquid so no worries going through TSA. It’s a lot lighter than full size shampoo bottles, and you don’t have to worry about transferring to smaller size bottles. No more half empty travel size bottles! It will also take up less space in your bathroom
- Worth Your Money. Again, because it doesn’t contain any water, there are no filler ingredients. The formulas are concentrated so you’re paying more for active ingredients.
Three different kinds of Solid Shampoos
Of course, like every other product out there, not all are made the same; and just like any other shampoo, choose ones that are for your hair type.
Cold Pressed – Also known as hair soaps, are made by saponifying oils and fats with lye. These kinds should be followed by an acid rinse or it will lead to scalp build up. Acid rinse can be 1 tablespoon of vinegar, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 litre of water.
Glycerin based – very hydrating, but can weigh hair down.
Surfactant – the most similar to traditional shampoos and can be drying but works great paired with conditioner (just like normal liquid shampoo would).
Common Questions
Do solid shampoos lather? Yes, just like normal shampoo, work it in your scalp or hands first and then massage.
How do you store solid shampoos? It’s best stored on a rack that allows airflow so it can dry. Don’t let it sit in a puddle of water. Careful storage will ensure it will last even longer.
Do you need to use a conditioner after? You can, it will depend on your hair type if you need it, but solid conditioners are also available to put the hydration back in.
Like anything in life that is different and things that we are not used to, it will take time to adjust. A bar of soap for hair will be uncomfortable at first, but you will get used to it. Knowing you don’t have to contribute to the 500 million bottles every year is awesome and it’s these little steps and changes we do that make the biggest difference.