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Field Notes

Shampoo

soap detergent
soap personal-care castile shampoo hair-care unprocessed
Mix 5 min
Yield ~10 oz
Keeps 1–2 weeks
Storage refrigerated
Notes Coconut milk shortens shelf life. Make small batches or freeze extras in ice cube trays.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup liquid castile soap (unscented)
  • ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk (canned) — not the refrigerated carton kind — get canned, unsweetened
  • 1 tsp olive oil or jojoba oil — moisturizes and reduces tangles
  • ½ tsp raw honey — optional — improves lather, adds moisture
  • 10–20 drops herbal infusion or essential oil — optional — rosemary and peppermint are traditional for hair

Overview

The secret ingredient here is coconut milk. Plain castile soap can leave hair tangled and waxy, but coconut milk contains natural surfactants that dramatically improve lather and leave hair soft and manageable. This combination gives you something that actually feels like shampoo — just without the sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and synthetic fragrance.

Expect an adjustment period. If you’re switching from commercial shampoo, your hair may feel different for 2–4 weeks as it adjusts to the absence of silicones and synthetic conditioners that coat the hair shaft. After the transition, most people find their hair is healthier, less oily, and needs washing less frequently.

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the coconut milk and castile soap together until well combined.

  2. In a separate small bowl, combine the carrier oil and honey. Stir well so the honey dissolves into the oil.

  3. Add the oil mixture to the coconut milk and soap. Stir gently to combine.

  4. Add fragrance if desired.

  5. Transfer to a squeeze bottle. A 10 oz bottle is ideal.

How to Use

Shake well before each use. Wet hair thoroughly, squeeze a quarter-sized amount into your palm, and work through hair from roots to ends. Massage into the scalp. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with the Conditioner (ACV Rinse) from this collection for best results.

Variations by Hair Type

  • Oily hair: Increase the castile soap to ⅓ cup and skip the carrier oil. Add lemon balm infusion or a few drops of lemon essential oil for its grease-cutting ability.
  • Dry hair: Add an extra teaspoon of carrier oil (jojoba or argan work well). Use chamomile infusion.
  • Thick/curly hair: Use the full recipe and always follow with the ACV rinse conditioner to help detangle.
  • Fine hair: Reduce the coconut milk slightly and skip the honey to avoid weighing hair down.
  • Rosemary — traditionally associated with hair health and circulation
  • Peppermint — stimulating, gives a pleasant tingling scalp feel
  • Lavender — calming, good for sensitive scalps

Tips

  • Shelf life is short because of the coconut milk. Make a 1–2 week supply at a time, and refrigerate between uses.
  • Freeze for longer storage: Pour extra into ice cube trays. Thaw one or two cubes in the shower before use.
  • Homemade coconut milk works too. Blend ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut with 1 cup hot water, then strain through cheesecloth. Some people report better results than canned.
  • Waxiness or residue? This usually means hard water is reacting with the soap. The ACV rinse conditioner in this collection is specifically designed to fix this.
  • pH note: Castile soap is alkaline (pH ~9), which is higher than hair’s natural pH of ~4.5–5.5. Always follow with an acidic rinse (like the ACV conditioner) to close the cuticle and restore pH balance.