ok I'm posting this on the diy section but if the mods want to move it feel free
So shampoo after years of having an itchy scalp even getting stuff from the doc's I decieded to look for a gentle shampoo and came across the No Poo sites besides making me relise why my scalp was so bad I thought I would have a try. Well I lasted a 2 weeks if you live in an area where you don't see anyone for six months fine.
So this is the diy part does anyone know how to make a simple shampoo with mabe only 4 easy to get hold of and cheap ingredants besides water that is I've looked on some sites but they have about 8 to 10 ingredants and seem quite complycated to make and I have to go on the internet to get some of the stuff like casttle soap (Sorry mods for the spelling )
AREA's 5-6 and 4 Feet the original All Terrain Vehicle
Aye, I haven't bought soap, shampoo or toiletries for three years now, and I trade my soap on a regular basis.
A basic shampoo is really, really simple. Find traditional soap - that's the stuff with the glycerin still in it. Grate it. You'll need something to make a base liquid with. I use a combination of calendula and rosemary. You can use almost anything. If you have scalp problems, you might want to consider chickweed - very soothing for the skin. Put the herb(s) into a jug, and cover with just off the boil water. Never use boiling water. Leave them to steep for about twenty minutes. That bit is a decoction. Strain - I use coffee filters over a jug for that bit. Or you can put a coffee filter into a funnel if you have one. Put the soap gratings into a slow cooker (crock pot), and pour in just enough of your decoction to cover them. Put the lid on, turn the heat to slow and just leave it be for a couple of hours. You'll have to fiddle a bit with the liquid addition - I always use my own soap, so I know how that works. Commercial soap will be different. Just check it every hour or so, you'll see when it's ready. As you turn the heat off, you can add a little extra oil - grapeseed is good, just a tablespoon or so. And once the heat is off, just leave it in the pot. Mine stays in there until it's all been decanted into the bottle in the bathroom, then I make more.
I know I'm not the only one that makes soap - I think Lil does too? - and I'm always happy to share that knowledge. I can do both hot and cold process, and whilst you need to be careful with the caustic soda, it's very simple.
junmist wrote:Thanks redskies. Castic soda scares me
Don't fear it, respect it! It's alkaline, so the way to neutralise it is with white vinegar. Which I always have handy!
unsure wrote:i did see some thing on wartime farm , but i can`t remember what it was . for some reason soap wart comes to mind but i can`t be sure .
You're correct - Soapwort, country name is 'Bouncing Betty'. You dry the roots and use those, they contain natural sapons, which are, basically, soap. No bubbles with it, and it has an interesting, earthy smell to it. It's a very gentle cleanser - they use it on things like the Bayeaux Tapestry because it's powerful enough to clean but won't damage it - but I've yet to make a good shampoo with it. I'll see if I can find time to have a bash at it again in the near future
ok I've found the soap can I ask why it has to be cooked for a couple of hours
hoping to get the soapwort plant this year have used this before but gave up as it did not foam very well and being a young idoit thought that it was the suds that cleaned
AREA's 5-6 and 4 Feet the original All Terrain Vehicle
Also a lot of people swear by just water, as hair is a self cleansing thing it needs minimum help, but getting through the first few weeks is the hard bit.
junmist wrote:ok I've found the soap can I ask why it has to be cooked for a couple of hours
hoping to get the soapwort plant this year have used this before but gave up as it did not foam very well and being a young idoit thought that it was the suds that cleaned
Sorry, only just spotted this.
It's cooked for a couple of hours because you're introducing new things into an existing mix, in this case a decoction into grated soap. I've found that a couple of hours is about the right sort of time to let this happen slowly but properly.
I used to think that suds cleaned to, but I don't think either of is an idiot. Our advertising and corporations have taught us to think this, even though it is incorrect.
That German shampoo is supposed to be good (according to the marketing/advertising and promotional material) Alpecin 'German Engineering For Your Hair.' With that woman from Channel 5 Fifth Gear - Vicky Butler-Henderson (i think doing the voiceover). That contains Caffine 'C1' - chemical symbol (i think).
I have heard that bee/lager is supposed to be good for washing/rinsing (no kidding! - I think i heard it on Channel 4? Super Scrimpers?) Either that or cider - apples full of Vitamin A. To be used as a conditioner. I think also urine (Ammonia) which is used to treat skin infections, dry scalp. But u'd be brave to try it. Urine is sterile anyway, which is why you can drink your own. Not very nice but survival, needs must and all that.
I know that caffine is supposed to be very good for the skin as its full of anti-oxidants. But i would not recommend or suggest that you pour a cup of hot (or cold for that matter) Nescafe over your head. If there are any real health benefits they will be in the pure coffee beans - and the oil which is extracted not the freeze dried soluble grains you get in glass jars. Olive oil? Rape seed oil? Perhaps?
does anyone know how to make a simple shampoo with mabe only 4 easy to get hold of and cheap ingredants besides water that is I've looked on some sites but they have about 8 to 10 ingredants and seem quite complycated to make and I have to go on the internet to get some of the stuff like casttle soap 
(Sorry mods for the spelling 
)
as its what we always put down our drains to clear them
