If you run out of deodorant, Listerine makes a great
substitute. Simply rub a few dabs under your arm with a
cotton ball or spray under your arm using a spray bottle.
Be sure that you only apply enough as needed, because too
much Listerine may cause minor under arm irritation.

Monique :)

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Potato Flour Shampoo

Adapted from "Natural Beauty For All Seasons" by
Janice Cox

Make this non-soap shampoo if your hair is really dry.

Mix 1/4 cup potato flour with 2 cups water in a
saucepan. Mix well with a wire whisk until smooth and
creamy. Gently warm the mixture on low heat for 20
minutes, but do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar. Let the shampoo cool
completely, then pour into a clean container. Use this
as you would any shampoo product.

I have been searching for a natural alternative to shop bought shampoo's because of the main ingredient in them. Sodium Laureth Sulphate [SLS] is an agent in 99% of all shampoos on the market. SLS is known to cause all manner of side effects.

Here's a quote from one site:

Perhaps most worryingly, SLS is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

To read more follow this link: http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html

I am glad to have found an alternative for me as I do have dry hair.

I thought to pass this on in case you didn't know about shop bought shampoos.

Monique

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I have read enough about the main ingredient in shampoos to know that I don't want to put the stuff on my head anymore.

People - for thousands of years - managed quite well without these toxic based, chemical filled shampoos we now readily use.

For the time being I am using Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking soda) and plain conditioner.

I used a baby's bottle [without a teat of course] filled with 3 TEASPOONS (=1 Tablespoon) of Bicarb of Soda and filled to the top with warm water.

That was 8 Fluid Ounces [Equivalent to 224 ml, 1 Cup or Half a pint].

Soak over the hair massaging in the mixture. Add a bit at a time. Continue to massage in for about 2 minutes.  I rinsed with cool water.   Then apply your conditioner as normal and rinse and towel dry.

My hair does feel alot silkier and less frizzy, but then it would as it's not been stripped of its natural oils by harsh cleaning agents found in shampoos.

I am told it will take about 2-4 weeks til my hair adjusts properly.

Have you a shampoo substitute you can share with me? I would like to view all possible ideas to try.

THANK YOU

Monique

 EXTRA READING: About Sodium Laureth Sulfate  http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

5th November 2008 - UPDATE

I have found an alternative that will suit me.

Potato Flour Shampoo

Adapted from "Natural Beauty For All Seasons" by
Janice Cox

Make this non-soap shampoo if your hair is really dry.

Mix 1/4 cup potato flour with 2 cups water in a
saucepan. Mix well with a wire whisk until smooth and
creamy. Gently warm the mixture on low heat for 20
minutes, but do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar. Let the shampoo cool
completely, then pour into a clean container. Use this
as you would any shampoo product.

Images:

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Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth.
It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Monique

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I recently dyed my hair for the first time in a long time and I used peroxide to bleach out my natural colour then applied a brunette dye two days later.  Boy, did I notice the difference in condition.

Like straw!

I recently read a handy hint - which could well have been here on thriftyfun. Here's what I did just now.

I put a handful of my shampoo in my hand and then mixed in approx. 2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda [Baking Soda] mixed together then applied to my wet hair. 

Lathering like normal shampoo. Then rinsed. I used conditioner only on the ends of my hair and rinsed again, then I tipped about 4 capfuls of White vinegar on my hair and waited for it to saturate most of my long hair.

One more quick rinse with cool water. Squeezed out the excess and towel dried.

My hair feels silky soft and lovely and light. There seems to be a marked difference. I will keep doing this from now on.

I just thought to share my experience with this tip.

Monique

Images:

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