Whole Grain Momma

I've been absent for a while dealing with some family issues but now I am back. I wanted to give a few updates on the deodorant and no poo experiments! First off the deodorant still works wonders and actually works much better than any commercial deodorant I have ever used. Only one slight issue.. the aluminum from the baking soda killed my skin! It completely tore it to pieces so now I am on the hunt for an aluminum free baking soda to mix up a new batch.

The No Poo experiment didn't go so well. The baking soda did not work well with my hair at all. It literally made it dry and somewhat sticky. I tried using a bit less of it but it still did not work well with my hair. I was actually doing much better with the warm water rinses. I figured I needed to find an alternative as well so I decided to use Dr. Woods natural almond scented soap as shampoo instead. It does not contain any harsh detergents and all the ingredients are natural. So far it has been working well for me and the smell is great. I have also been using organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil for my hair as conditioner. This is again all natural so there are no harsh ingredients to strip your hair of it's natural oils. This is a wonderful alternative to conditioner and the smell is wonderful as well!

This morning before I headed out to work I washed my hair with baking soda and rinsed with the Apple Cider Vinegar. This is the first time I am washing my hair with baking soda and wasn't quite sure what to expect. I have to admit the baking soda felt a little harsh on my hair so I might have to dilute it a bit more with water. The apple cider vinegar didn't leave a smell at all which I was very happy about. I combed my hair out while in the shower and it is very true what they say that ACV will help detangle your hair. I usually come across a few tangled pieces of hair here and there but not this time. It was knot free!

Overall the hair didn't turn out so bad. It is not as frizzy or dry as I expected it to be so I will definitely be trying this out again. Now I just need to figure out how often my hair will actually need the wash as opposed to the just a regular warm water rinse. Anyone else out there who has tried or is currently trying the No Poo experiment let me know how it is going!

No I am not referring to actual poo. I am talking about no shampoo! Yep that's right no shampoo!! I have decided to give up using chemically infused shampoos all together!!

So why did I decide to go shampoo free??

While shampoo "cleans" your hair it can also remove all the oils your scalp naturally produces. These oils help keep your hair soft and shiny which is why sometimes we notice that our hair looks so much better a few days after we have washed it. Most shampoos also contain harmful ingredients such as mineral oil, which is a byproduct when gasoline is distilled from crude oil, and Sodium lauryl sulfate, which is synthetic chemical regulated as a pesticide. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be drying and harsh for the hair and causes eye irritation ( that explains the burning sensation we feel when it falls in our eyes!), allergic reactions and even hair loss. The mineral oil is added to provide an artificial coating on the strands of the hair which in turn make your hair look shiny. Mineral Oil is not quickly absorbed into the scalp so it remains there and blocks the release of natural oils. This creates a greasy cap in your scalp which requires more shampoo to remove. So you see it's a vicious cycle. You make your hair dependent on something that might not necessarily make it healthier in the long run.

With this being said I am beginning my journey into the No Poo world today since it will be the last time my hair was washed with so called organic shampoos. So what will I be using instead of shampoo??? I will be following a simple recipe of Baking Soda wash with an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. Ok before you cringe at the thought of putting vinegar in your hair let me state that the smell of SMALL amounts of apple cider vinegar do not remain in your hair if thoroughly rinsed out. Why Baking Soda? Because baking soda gently clarifies hair from chemical buildup. Why Apple Cider Vinegar? Because Apple Cider Vinegar detangles the hair follicles, seals the cuticle, and balances the hair’s pH balance.

How exactly will I be mixing these? Here's how!

One tablespoon of baking soda to one cup of water

One tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to one cup of water

Mix the baking soda and the water in a bottle (shake) and pour over your head like you would with a regular shampoo. Massage into your scalp for a few minutes and then rinse off. If you have thick or long hair you might need two tablespoons. However too much baking soda can dry your hair so test it out and see what works for you.

Once you have rinsed off the baking soda, mix the apple cider vinegar with water in a bottle ( shake) and pour over your head. Leave on for about a minute or two and rinse off. If you tend to have oily hair by nature then you might not need to use too much Apple Cider Vinegar.

There you have the simple recipe! Will this work wonders for my hair??? Who knows!! But I am willing to give it a shot and see.

I have attached a picture of my hair as it is right now after being washed today.