Shampoo is a product used almost every day, and when packaged in plastic, it can generate tons of waste. However, where there's a problem, there's also an opportunity. By switching to solid shampoo in sustainable packaging, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint.
Picture credit Amazon.com
Shampoo was one of the first things I replaced with an eco-friendly option, right after I sorted out the mess with trash sorting and switched to biodegradable trash bags. I initially made a mistake by choosing a soap-based shampoo, which caused significant irritation to my scalp. To help you avoid the same mistake, let me walk you through all the aspects of solid shampoo bars.
How to Choose a Solid Shampoo Bar?
Not all solid shampoos are the same. The fact that a shampoo is solid doesn't automatically make it good for both you and the environment. Solid shampoos differ in characteristics, ingredients, and price, and may or may not suit your hair type, just like liquid shampoos, so some will work for your hair and some won't.
To choose a shampoo that works for you, pay attention to:
Hair type: choose a shampoo bar that’s compatible with your hair type—whether it's dry, oily, normal, curly, color-treated, or sensitive.
Ingredients: look for natural ingredients like essential oils, butters, and plant extracts. Avoid harmful chemicals like sulfates or synthetic fragrances, which can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause irritation. For dry and damaged hair, choose a shampoo bar with added moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin to keep your hair hydrated.
pH Balance: ensure the shampoo bar has a pH level around 4.5 to 5.5, which is suitable for your hair and scalp. Be cautious of selecting a soap-based bar that is very alkaline (pH greater than 7), as it can dry out and irritate your hair, potentially causing dandruff and itching.
Sustainable packaging: look for zero-plastic packaging made from minimal and recyclable materials. Sustainably sourced, plant-based compostable materials are ideal, with bamboo being a top choice.
Here Are the Best Five Soap-Free Solid Shampoo Bars I’ve Found:
Q&A About Solid Shampoo Bars
How to tell if a shampoo bar is soap-based or soap-free?
The main clue is the list of ingredients:
Soap-based shampoo bars typically contain saponified oils or fats. Saponification means mixing fats or oils with lye which makes soap so alcaline. Look for ingredients like "sodium hydroxide" (lye), "saponified coconut oil," "saponified olive oil," or similar terms.
Soap-free Shampoo bars usually contain a more complex list of ingredients with surfactants instead of saponified oils. Common surfactants are: "Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate," "Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate," "Cocamidopropyl Betaine," or other mild, sulfate-free cleansers.
Also, many shampoo bars will indicate whether they are soap-based or soap-free directly on the packaging or in the product description. Soap-free bars are often marketed as "pH balanced" or "sulfate-free".
"pH balanced" indication usually means that this is a soap-free shampoo
Do solid shampoo bars lather like liquid shampoo?
Not all of them. It largely depends on the ingredients—the more surfactants (short for surface-active agents), the more lather the shampoo will produce. The amount of lather can also vary depending on your water hardness (less lather in hard water).
How should I store a solid shampoo bar?
Keep it dry. A soap dish with drainage or a wire rack is ideal for preventing the shampoo bar from sitting in water and becoming mushy.
Can solid shampoo bars be used for travel?
Yes, absolutely! It's one of the best things about a solid shampoo - it's compact, lightweight and, well... solid :) which means no additional liquid in a hand luggage. Just make sure it's dry before you pack it.
How long do solid shampoo bars last?
It greatly depends on the brand and how well you dry it between uses. Softer bars tend to last less, while firmer ones can last several weeks. Keeping the bar dry between uses will significantly prolong its life.
Does solid shampoo leave a residue? It depends on the ingredients. If a shampoo bar is soap-based, it might leave a greasy, waxy residue in the hair, similar to soap scum in the shower.
Do I need a conditioner if I use a shampoo bar?
It depends on the specific bar, the conditioner, and your hair type. Some bars are 2-in-1, so no conditioner is needed. Personally, I use a leave-in conditioner to ease brushing and haven't changed this habit since switching to a solid shampoo bar.
Can I use shampoo bars every day?
An alkaline, soap-based shampoo bar can be too harsh for daily use, especially on dry, fine hair. However, using a high-quality, soap-free shampoo bar is no different from using a regular liquid shampoo. If you're comfortable washing your hair daily with liquid shampoo, you can do the same with a pH-balanced shampoo bar.
Maximizing Convenience with Shampoo Bars: Tips and Tools
Not every shower or bath has the perfect spot for a shampoo bar, which can be slippery and can't stand being wet. A practical solution to make your shampoo bar more convenient is to turn it into a liquid. Just chop it into small pieces and dissolve them in hot water, using a ratio of about 1:1. Pour the resulting mixture into your favorite shampoo bottle, and voilà – enjoy the ease of liquid shampoo with the benefits of a bar.
If you're not up for this DIY approach, consider one of these lovely soap holders as an alternative.
Shampoo Bar Holders:
I find the second option – the Wood Magnetic Soap Holder – absolutely brilliant! It's compact, has an eco-friendly look, requires zero space, and overall, feels magical.
And by the way, a lazy hack - just use a kitchen cleaning sponge as a shampoo / soap holder. It works perfectly and looks (and is!) eco-friendly.