Baking Soda

Ok, so I'm trying an experiment.  I am starting to use a Baking Soda sham-non-poo.  :-)  Yes, that's right.  It's a shampoo without the suds.  I decided I am never happy with any shampoo I try.  My scalp is always itchy.  My hair is not as shiny as I'd like. 

How did I decide to try this?  Pinterest.  Have you been there?  It's so freaking addictive.  There is SO much to look at.  I was perusing last night and I found this recipe.  1 TBLS baking soda to 1 cup water.  I thought it would have to be more pasty but I read that it's a good quotient.  I had a small squirt bottle handy so when it was done, I put it in there.  There was some leftover...but I'll get to that in a moment.

What I read said if you have hard water (which we do), boil the water for about 3 minutes to get the minerals out of it.  I don't know if it actually helps or not.  I boiled mine anyway.  I put the 1 TBLS of baking soda into a Pyrex measuring cup.  When the water had boiled a few minutes, I carefully poured the hot water into the measuring cup and it did fizzle a bit.  I stirred it a lot so the baking soda would dissolve.  I kind of like the idea it dissolved so it wouldn't be flaky in my hair.

I placed the mixture into the fridge to cool it since I wanted to take my shower in the next 20 minutes, and I didn't want to put the boiling hot water into the little plastic container I had.  I figured it might melt.  Once the mixture was cool (only took about 15 mins in the fridge) I took it out and filled the little bottle.  I'm going to have to get a bigger bottle - this one didn't fit an entire mixture.  But that was ok................I found another use for the mix that was left over.

I used the bottle when I was showering and I made sure I rinsed really well.  It took a few squirts because I wanted to make sure I used enough.  I have read it only takes about a tablespoon or so to wash a full head of hair, and mine isn't long.  Anyway, I used what I felt was good for me, and I rinsed really well.

That left some room in the bottle to pour a little more in...but still had some leftover.

I decided I will use the leftover to brush my teeth....my father used to use baking soda for his teeth instead of toothpaste.  Hmm.  Thinking that it can't be all bad - but the taste is wicked!  It'll take me some getting used to it, and I also thought about putting a drop of Peppermint oil into the mix.  I'm very sensitive to peppermint tho....so not sure.  I'll keep trying the baking soda mix and see how that goes....

At any rate, I'm going to see how this works.  I read that it really neutralizes the oils in your hair, and that after a few weeks of using this, you actually have to wash your hair less often (if you are prone to oily hair which I am).  I also read that if you have dry hair, it is very good for making it look much better. 

You can also use vinegar (apple or white) for a conditioner.  I'll see how the shampoo does first, and if I like what is happening, I'll then add the vinegar.

I need more little containers from the store tho...........

Did you know that baking soda can be used to clean just about anything also?  And, you don't have to just buy the little boxes ---  you can actually go into the laundry section of your grocery store and find the larger box of Baking Soda - it looks just like the little one - just make sure you get the pure Baking Soda and not the laundry one (which they've just come out with).

I'm going to continue to do research on this stuff and trying harder to use less chemicals around the house.

Let me know if you have any natural, non-chemical cleaning tips!