I have been using zero-waste shampoo bars for years and I will never go back to bottled shampoo. There are many benefits to making the switch yourself. Do your research but I am sure you will be happy to make the change to Zero Waste Shampoo Bars.
Why make the Switch to Zero Waste Shampoo Bars
You don’t know what you don’t know. I was in my 30s before I saw my first zero waste shampoo bar in a local grocery store! Had they been there all along? How had I never seen them before? The concept was new but it made so much sense. I snatched one up and took it home.
The biggest reason you should switch is that they are so much more environmentally friendly than shampoo in plastic bottles. In the US alone over 500 million shampoo and conditioner bottles are used annually. What happens to them all? They don’t all get recycled. That is SO MUCH plastic being produced and added to the waste stream.
Avoid Harmful Ingredients
What Is in your shampoo anyway? Most of it is just water! So not only is it in harmful plastic but you are paying for water to be added to your product AND then that added water and added weight is being shipped. That’s a lot of extra gas that doesn’t need to be used in shipment. Why add water to a product when you can just use the water from your own shower head?
So what else is in your shampoo bottle? Unless you are using an Earth-conscious brand I am sure it’s full of substances that are harmful to you and/or the environment.
Different types of Alcohol can be found in regular bottled shampoo. Alcohol is added to aid the active ingredients. Alcohol dries out your hair. No thank you!
To get that amazing lather found in commercial bottled shampoo companies add surfacants. Common Sufacants
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Ammonium laureth sulfate
- Sodium trideceth sulfate
These are also incredibly drying.
To preserve the liquid shampoo Parabens are added. Examples of Parabens are as follows:
- Methylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
According to Web MD, some scientists think that parabens can lead to breast cancer. I think I’ll pass!
The Benefits of Zero Waste Shampoo Bars
1. Better for the environment
As I mentioned above Shampoo bars greatly reduce your use of plastic bottles.
Less gas is used in shipping because you aren’t adding the weight of water in each bottle.
2. Better for your Hair
Harmful ingredients can be avoided, keeping yourself safe from the hidden poisons in commercial shampoos. Avoid ingredients that dry your hair out and reduce the need for extra conditioning.
3. Cost Savings
It can be an economical choice! Depending on how long your hair is, some say a 16 oz bottle of liquid shampoo can provide about 38 washes. Now, compare that to a 2.25 oz zero waste shampoo bar that can provide you with an average of 70 washes! The shampoo bar is concentrated and gives you almost double the washes. I am all about that!
4. Conveinent for Travel
If you’ve flown anywhere in the last 20 years, you’ll know that fluids are restricted on commercial air travel. All your liquids have to be condensed into one bag and be no more than 3 oz. Using shampoo bars can free you up to bring something else. You also don’t have to buy a separate tiny travel container of shampoo.
It won’t leak! You won’t ever have to worry about your shampoo bar opening up and leaking all over everything in your suitcase.
All Zero Waste Shampoo Bars are not Equal
Just because a shampoo comes in a bar form doesn’t mean it’s all-natural. Read the ingredients and look into the company. Here are some zero waste Shampoo Bars that I LOVE!
Eco Roots is a company I love! I have used their products for a few years and I am so excited to be an affiliate for them. I would never promote I product that I wouldn’t use. If you buy from this link I earn a small commission.
Not only does EcoRoots have AMAZING products but they package and ship with plastic-free material! I am in heaven. I never understood why a company would make a natural product but stick it in a plastic container. So frustrating! EcoRoots gets it. Nothing is packaged in plastic and all the shipping is done with recyclable or compostable materials.
Make your own Zero Waste Shampoo Bars
I make many of my Household cleaning products. However, soap has never been something I have had the desire to try. In case that sounds like something you would like to try I have added a recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs. They supply so many different herbs and wonderful products. They are a trusted source of mine. Good Luck! Let me know how it turns out.
If you are interested in making all your skin care products, here is a course for you. Herbal Academy is my go-to school for online education in herbalism. I highly recommend them. Using this link to sign up will give me a commission.
How to Use and Maintain Zero Waste Shampoo Bars
It’s so simple to use. There are two ways to apply shampoo to your hair.
- Create a lather in your hands and then Apply it to your hair
- Apply directly to your hair and stroke it over the top of your head from roots to end.
Then just use your hands to massage shampoo evenly over your scalp and hair, rinse, and condition if desired.
Keep your Zero Waste Shampoo Bar Dry
To keep your shampoo bar around for all 70 washes you need to keep it dry in between uses. If it stays wet it will get mushy and that will reduce the life of the shampoo bar.
This is simple too. All you need to do is put it somewhere the bar can drain and stay away from water after use. I keep mine in a caddy that hangs in the shower. It hangs from the shower head so when the water is on the shampoo bar is out of the water stream. And it’s wire so the shampoo bar can easily drain. Here is a link to the one I use.
There are also wooden soap trays that allow it to drain and dry properly. You can buy or make a mesh bag to place it in. And there are also trays made of biodegradable materials that are perfect for storing your soap and great for traveling.
Have you ever used a Zero Waste Shampoo Bar? If so how did you like it? What brand do you like?
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