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Not Ready For No ‘Poo? Try Sorta ‘Poo With Coconut Milk and Castille

crunched by on June 30, 2011
filed under Hair

It seems like no ‘poo comes and goes in waves. Suddenly, 20 women will show up out of nowhere saying they’re about to try it. With every wave comes a small, but vocal, backlash.

“Backlash” may be a strong word. A better word may be “fear.” There are always several people who say, “Never. I could never, ever try that.”

It’s scary to go no ‘poo. Even more, it doesn’t work for everyone. No matter how hard you try, how badly you wish to be a no ‘poo goddess, your hair has other plans. I’m not sure the reason why it’s so difficult for some people, but the fact remains … it is.

In one small, silly way, I was one of those people. I decided NOT to go back to no ‘poo, simply because my hair looked annoyingly icky whenever I’d try to dry it with the blow dryer. And the longer it gets, the longer it takes to air dry.

For about three months, I’ve been using castille soap to wash my hair. It’s not really no ‘poo, but it’s not really shampoo. It’s sort of sorta ‘poo.

The only downside was that it didn’t lather, and there were occasions where my hair didn’t feel completely clean.

Then … coconut milk happened.

Homemade coconut milk happened.

And the world of sorta ‘poo was blown wide open into a thriving, gorgeous utopia.

How to Make Sorta ‘Poo With Coconut Milk and Castille

You’ll probably want to know why you should make your sorta ‘poo with coconut milk and castille.

It’s all about the lather, baby.

Coconut contains natural, extremely gentle surfactants that create lather when mixed with pure castille, just like we’re all accustomed to in our shampoo. In fact, many cosmetic companies use a compound called cocamidopropyl betaine, which is derived from coconut, in their products for just this reason. (Whether or not it’s truly natural or safe is questionable, so if you’d like to know more, read The Chemical of the Day entry on it.)

So when you mix the castille and the coconut milk together, you get amazing, breathtaking, bubbly magic that gets all up in your hairs and squeaks them clean. It is neither drying nor oily. It is like store-bought shampoo with benefits and without synthetics. (And, fyi, you don’t need to condition afterwards, but you will probably want to use a very dilute apple cider vinegar rinse – we’ll talk about that at the end.)

So here’s how you do it, and it takes about 5 seconds total to mix each batch.

Coconut milk and castille shampoo ingredients

Coconut milk and castille soap: The perfect sorta 'poo solution.

 

Ready? This is tough. Pay attention.

Mix together 1 tsp coconut milk and 1 Tbsp castille soap in a small jar.

(I like Dr. Bronner’s or Mountain Rose Herbs castille soaps, personally.)

 

Castille soap goes on top of coconut milk

Pour the castille over the coconut milk, or vice versa. It makes no nevermind.

 

This is all a “single-serving” batch (although if you have short hair, it’s a double serving batch). If you want to make it in larger batches, that’s cool. Just store it in your refrigerator (should keep up to a week or so).

So after you’ve poured the castille and the coconut milk into a small container, just swish it around.

Very gently.

Or you’ll have lots and lots of bubbles.

 

Swirl the coconut milk and castille shampoo

Swirly, swirly, like a top. Not too long, not too hard. (That's what she said.)

 

Again, see what a tiny amount that is? Using all of it at once produces TONS of cleaning, softening results.

And a multitude of lather.

Lather that looks like this:

 

Coconut milk and castille shampoo suds

These ARE the lathers you've been looking for.

 

Try to keep it out of your eyes, though, ’cause it burns.

It may only burn, though, when you’re keeping your eyes open for 15 minutes while suds are dripping down your face and you’re trying to take a picture of lather on your head to show all your bloggy friends how awesome sorta ‘poo is. That may be the only time it burns.

It’s the only time it’s burned me.

 

Lather happens with sorta poo

You have no idea how excruciating it was not to rub my eyes right now.

 

So there you have it.

How to go sorta ‘poo, which is sorta awesome. It’s lacking anything synthetic. It’s lacking anything contaminated. It’s lacking anything but castille and coconut milk.

Oh, and as for how to condition: For your conditioner, use a diluted mixture of 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar to 3 cups of water. Rinse your hair with it, after rinsing out the shampoo (with water). Concentrate on the ends. Leave the ACV rinse in your hair or wash it out with water – whichever you prefer.

Your hair will (if it’s anything like mine) be shiny, bouncy, and soft.

Just like you sashayed out of the salon.

I kid you not.
–

If you want to read more about going no ‘poo, start with these posts and threads:

And I have to give a shout out to Jessica H. on Pinterest for this hair-saving idea. Jessica, you’re a crunchy pioneer if there ever was one.

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    ← Older Comments
    • Brenda

      Hilarious and awesome post! I have been having a major skin reaction around my eyes, even had a chemical patch test at the dermatologist that resulted in a major reaction around my eyes, but NO trace of a reaction where the chemicals were tested on my back. It was said that I might be allergic to my shampoo. So, I am PUMPED about trying out the shampoo/conditioner thing. I’ve gotta have my conditioner (or apple cider vinegar).

    • Stina168

      So I tried this recipe with Dr Bronners Baby Mild Castille Soap and canned Coconut Milk. I wasn’t sure the canned stuff would work, but I figured what the heck, it only had coconut milk and water in the ingredients, how bad could it be? Well, I found out the hard way that canned coconut milk does not work! My hair felt greasy and sticky, and it was extremely staticy. I did the ACV Rinse hoping that would help. I went ahead and blow dried it, and it was unbelievably full of static and just had a strange, dirty-feeling texture.

      So do you have to make homemade coconut milk in order for this recipe to work? Or are there any store-bought brands that would work?

      • Crunchy Betty

        Yeah – someone tried it with canned the same day I posted the recipe and had the exact same review about it. My thoughts are, it has to be fresh and coconut milk you make yourself. The preservative they add to coconut milk totally renders this recipe useless. But fresh is incredible – not just in your hair, but to drink and play around with. So there’s a silver lining. :)

        • Cassie

          Okay, so I wish I would have read the comments before I tried it! LOL, no wonder. Loved the lather though! 

      • Debbie

        I went sorta ‘poo about a month ago myself using a Castile soap and vinegar rinse. I have NOT tried it with coconut milk yet but had this very same reaction. After some research, I discovered it’s because I have hard water and/or did not rinse the soap out of my hair well enough before the vinegar rinse went in.

        If you have hard water, the minerals in the water will react with soap to create soap scum that will leave your hair waxy/greasy and static-y. Also, even if you don’t have hard water, if you don’t rinse all the soap out of your hair before the vinegar rinse, you will trap that soap in your hair which will give the same result. Hope that helps!

    • Izzy

      I’ve been using castile with just a little bit of jojoba oil added – I take a small quantity of that and mix it 50/50 with water to wash my hair – and it gets a great lather. I started using it after you posted this and I was going to be away from home for 2 weeks so I couldn’t reasonably bring homemade coconut milk with me (although I definitely want to try making it). I also do my usual ACV rinse, and I have to say that my hair has never been better – it just feels natural and smooth and doesn’t break as much as it used to! Also, sometimes if my hair is feeling oily, I just add a little baking soda to my “poo”. Thanks for being my inspiration (in this and all the other crunchy things I’ve started doing).

    • Suzan

      Okay, I’m new here – and here’s another recipe I have to try soon! Normally I use a foamer bottle filled about 1/4 full with Dr. Bronner’s liquid castille, filling the rest of the bottle with warm water, leaving room for a couple TBSP organic cold-pressed coconut oil (using warm water ensures the coconut oil doesn’t immediately become solid when added to the mix). Using the foamer bottle, the castille soap comes out, well, foamy! Now I’m wondering what coconut MILK + castille soap is like.

      Also, I always pre-poo with half organic EVOO & half organic cold-pressed coconut oil. This always seems to increase the lather for me & makes sure my hair doesn’t dry out. Never had a problem washing the oils out, but my hair loves oils even though it is fine. Wavy though.

      Oh, sorry for blabbing on, but…Noticing a lot of people hate vinegar rinses. Count me among them. What works for me is using 1/4 tsp citric acid (from Mtn. Rose Herbs)in about 8 oz. water. Inexpensive, easy & non-stinky. I still have to use conditioner – one with researched ingredients – using the citric acid rinse after that seems to work well. If you use conditioner before the citric rinse, I’m not sure it would do any good as acidic rinses close the cuticle & the conditioner wouldn’t really be able to penetrate the hair. My two cents anyway. Shutting up now.

    • alex

      this sounds awesome! only concern is…. the smell? does it smell delightful, does it leave no smell at all? whats the deal? :p

      • Suzan

        Are you asking about the coconut milk shampoo mix, the vinegar or the citric acid rinse? The coconut milk/castile soap mix smell like, well, a bit of coconut and whatever scent castile soap you use. Personally, I’m not a fan of the vinegar, but lots of people aren’t bothered by it when you dilute it to a TBSP or so per cup. The citric acid rinse really doesn’t have a scent. That’s why I like it, that and it works really well!

      • Debbie

        I have tried both ACV and white vinegar diluted in water. I don’t like either smell! But, once dry my hair does not smell after using white vinegar, however, does after using ACV. So I stick with white vinegar and add a few drops of essential oil (right now using lemon to go with my lemon castile soap) to the vinegar/water mixture and it cuts the vinegar smell!

    • Angie

      I’m very excited to try this, but still very nervous. I have hair that gets pretty oily by the end of the day. Is this something good for oily hair types and can I use it every day? Still too scared to go the no poo route. Btw, your page has changed my life. My skin has never felt more soft or healthy. Thanks!!

    • Kathy
    • Candice

      I’ve just stumbled across this site and I can’t wait to try this! I have sensitive skin and extremely fine hair, so I think that using just the baking soda to wash may be a little harsh for me; however, using this recipe sounds like it would be nourishing without weighing my hair down. I’m excited to try it! Thanks for this site!

      • Debbie

        You would be surprised at the baking soda wash. I too have very fine hair but use it once a week or so to clarify. If you do try it, be sure to use a vinegar rinse.

        • Candice

          Thanks, Debbie! I’ll try using it to clarify. :-) It’s always good to get a recommendation from another fine-haired soul.

    • http://www.greenbabywilmington.blogspot.com Gaby @ Green Baby DS Blog

      Thanks for all of your awesome information. We are doing a No Poo Challenge over at the Green Baby Diaper Service Blog and linked up to you so our readers can benefit from all of your tips and tricks!

      I am now a true baking soda/ACV convert, but this sounds luxurious and yummy. I want to try it!

    • denise

      Any reason why this wouldn’t work on the body too? Should be fine I reckon. Will try tomorrow and report back…

    • Mel

      Hi. I enjoy your writing style! Entertaining and informative. Thx for sharing! “Sorta Poo”! Love that name.I want to try.

    • Dons

      Tried this today and it is wonderful! Thank you so much for this recipe! I ended up with very clean, silky soft hair. (Hair was dry and sticky, and scalp was oily-itchy on my 3rd week of experimenting with BS, ACV, and WO rinses) I used Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castille and added a little more coconut milk (1 part coco to 2 parts castille) just because I made too much coco milk. I also used the mixture as a body wash. AAAH. Refreshing.

      Now the question is, how do I make larger batches? (enough for a month or two) I guess the main thing is to keep the coconut milk from going bad since I don’t mind mixing in the castille soap later. Might Rosemary extract help? I’d really appreciate your thoughts on this since this could very well be my new (sorta) ‘poo. I just don’t want to have to make a fresh batch of coconut milk every 2 days or so. ~_~

      Thanks for any tips!

    • Jade

      Hey there,
      I recently came across Crunchy Betty via Stacia Kane’s blog, and although I do lots of lurking I don’t normally comment on the blogs I follow. But.. I just had to let you know how well this method worked for me. (I loved it so much I bought your wonderful e-book, pinned your kiwi body scrub recipe and am telling lots of people about your blog.)
      I have long dreadlocks so I mostly follow the no ‘poo method, but every now and then my hair needs a good thorough clean. I usually use Lush shampoo bars and have been known to use Castille soap, but was a bit unsatisfied with the lack of foaminess. I definitely steer away from commercial shampoos because I don’t like the idea that there are chemicals sitting in my hair for such a long time with ample opportunity to soak in to my scalp.
      So I bought some coconut milk yesterday, mixed it in with some rose castile soap and gave my dreads a thorough wash. I followed up with an apple vinegar rinse, with about half a cup of rose hydrolate in to make it smell lovely. My dreads are smooth, shiny, frizz free and smell lovely! Total convert here. Thanks for the inspiration in this post, in your book, and ongoing as I read what you have to say next! xx

    • Heidi Maxwell

      Just whipped up a batch of Sorta ‘Poo today. I love love love the suds! I can’t wait for my hair to dry though – because much like with No ‘Poo, it feels weird and unmanageable when it’s still wet. The coconut milk is to.die.for. Thank you!

    • http://www.dutiestodelights.blogspot.com/ Brandie

      Can I use this every day, or should I do a every 2 or 3 day wash with this?

    • Lynn

      Has anyone tried making soap nut shampoo? Also, Naturoli has recently come out with their soap nut shampoo and it’s getting rave reviews!!

    • Lauren @ DessertsByLauren.com

      I just had to comment to let you know that I tried this today for the first time followed by the tea/lemon juice rinse.  My husband, who never notices anything different about me, EVER, actually commented that my hair was “nice and soft” today.  Thanks!!!!!  I LOVE it!  I just transferred the rest into a mini empty baby shampoo bottle I had laying around.  And the coconut milk!!!!  Oh, don’t even get me started!  Poured some in the blender with a banana and some honey… soooo good!!!

    • Bree

      I have to clarify, the recipe says 1 teaspoon coconut milk… but the picture has the tablespoon in front of it instead.  Should we go by the written recipe or the picture above it.

      Thanks

      • Niki

        I would like to know this also! It must go by the recipe or I figure other people would have noticed it was wrong. 

    • Bree

      I agree that when wet it is very unmanageable.  I had a horrible time trying to braid it for work tonight.  I am hoping it gets better when it dries or I will be back to the cancer in a bottle shampoo and conditioner. 

      On the other hand it lathered beautifully, but I left it in while finishing my shower and my hair felt so gross by the time I rinsed it out that I almost re-washed it with the ‘other’ shampoo.  Then the diluted ACV rinse just made it feel worse.

      I am going to try it for the next week or so, hopefully it gets better if it is rinsed out immediately.

      • Bree

        Now that my hair is dry (I am on my second day of washing with this) it feels like I washed it with Elmer’s glue and no water.  I really want to be more health conscious but this is starting to get ridiculous.  Everything I try for cleaning our bodies has made it worse.  Drying, itching, sticky, unmanageable. 

        Is there any other way to get around the glue feeling without using ACV? 

        • Professor_sweet

          My hair felt the same way but after I towel dried I put ran some almond oil into my hair payin particular attention to the dry areas. I found that my hair dried faster using this shampoo m my scalp feels really nice n clean n not heavy like commercial stuff. I found that letting my hair towel n air dry then application of the almond oil helped m after it completely dried my hair was so so nice, shiny n soft. Hope this helps! I also thought about applying coconut oil after as a leave in. Didn’t have any on hand but I will try it when I do.

      • Cassie

        Bree, I felt the same way. I loved it initially, then it seemed like it was gunky in my hair when I tried to rinse. I have REALLY hard water, so I am going to try Heather’s suggestion next time. 

    • Shanda

      I just picked up some coconut milk powder with this idea in mind; however, I’ve never used it before and I’m not sure if it would work. Do you have any idea how much powder and water I would need to mix together to get the right amount? The only reason I picked the powder up was because it was sitting on a clearance rack and dirt cheap … and I could not find shredded unsweetened coconut anywhere. I tried the BS/ACV method the other night and didn’t like the way my hair felt. I’m eager to try this.

    • Alward7911

      Okay im not sure exactly what went wrong, but I didnt get the breathtaking lathers you talked about. Any suggestions?

    • Heather M Rawson

      Holy massive lather, Batman! This was awesome. I’ve followed the no poo for almost two weeks but my hair was still very oily looking, even though it felt rather nice, one wash with this and it is so much nicer, it still is not the normal shampoo feel but I can live with that. My hair felt kind of tacky as it was drying but it now is very soft and shiny, though possibly a little staticky. I have very straight, fine, thick hair and it feels great! I made the homemade coconut milk and it sure makes a difference with the Castile soap, one hint with the Castile soap that I have found is that, if you have hard water, you should mix  a little Baking Soda with it because the Calcium in the water reacts with the soap and that is what leaves the scum feel. Bubble and Bee is a company that makes hair soap and they have a lot of good information on dealing with soap. http://www.bubbleandbee.com/shampoofaqs.html

      • Tina

        How much baking soda would you add?

    • SJN

      Hi:

      Thank you so much for the recipe. I tried it today with Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint and it came out with so much suds…I have a question though, if I want to mix the coconut milk + peppermint castille soap in large batches, will it go bad in 1 week? Coz you mentioned that if I keep it in the refrigerator it should keep for 1 week. Is that before mixing it with the peppermint castille shampoo or before? Thank You.

    • Niki

      Giiiirl I have been using this for 2 weeks now, along with the curly girl method of hair keeping, and I tell you its just awesome!

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520248916 Ashley Miller

      I found your blog through Pinterest because of this post. I am so glad I did! I have been up late every night this week reading all about essential oils, coconut oil, and all of the other wonderful things you have talked about, hehe. I have been using this “sorta poo” all week on myself and my daughter and I am HOOKED. Our hair looks fabulous :) I also used this to shave with (just made the lather in my hands and slathered it on) and my legs have never felt so smooth! Thank you for  the recipe! 

    • Erica

      So, I know this post was a while ago, but I started using this method using peppermint bonner’s a few weeks ago, and I mostly love it.  I love the way it smells, and I love the way my hair feels! I use it as a body wash too.  

      However, I have had one problem, and I was wondering if you (or anyone else) could help:
      I get these pimple-like things on the back of my head, and a really, really itchy, scaly scalp.  I’ve always had this too some degree, but it seems to have gotten worse with the sorta-poo.  Over thanksgiving I went to my parent’s and used normal shampoo for a week, and it got better.  I thought it was a coincidence, with the changing seasons my skin always freaks out, but then when I went back on sorta-poo it got worse again!  This doesn’t make any sense to me, as all of the ingredients are meant to be so good for dry skin and an itchy scalp.  Any ideas what’s going on? Should I maybe use more apple cider vinegar, to increase the ph? Is it maybe just a complete coincidence?  It could be related to stress (grad school, exams, ick).  I don’t even know. I really want this to work, but my poor scalp is crying out for attention!

      • Lisafaye1979

        Sounds like you and I might have the same issues. I was diagnosed with psoriasis of the scalp about six months ago. Altho I have yet to use this method, it is likely you need more moisturizer in your scalp. Try using one of the other Bonner’s soaps, maybe the one meant for babies or the lavender…

        • Erica

          Thanks guys! I’ll try the different bonners

          • Erica

            Actually, Lisa, I do think that I probably have psoriasis.  What do you use to wash your hair? Have you found anything that helps?

            • Danna

               I don’t have psoriasis, but I do have seborrheic dermatitis, which has the symptoms that you describe.  I have it only on my scalp and have periodic outbreaks which I haven’t discerned a pattern in yet.  Did you find the “almost poo” helped when you switched to not peppermint?  The most recent thinking on causes of seborrheic dermatitis are that it is fungal in origin, so adding natural antifungal oils to the mixture might help.

      • Lynn

        Peppermint is a major skin irritant (try getting some in a cut .. ouch!). I use the baby-mild dr. Bronner’s with no problems. Hope this helps.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HS46ULS3A5NPQN2LDYSPRS3IIU a

      I’ve been using the castille soap for months, no coconut oil and it works fine for me and it does lather. Perhaps its the kind you have. I have the same brand, but the rose and hemp one.

    • http://www.shelookslikeamom.blogspot.com/ Kyla

      I can’t wait to try this! My grocery store ONLY had sweetened shredded coconut, so my wonderful husband cracked open a real coconut for me tonight. I blended some of the flesh with water to make coconut milk, and after I wash dishes (hehe…) I’m going to take a shower! 

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=633838392 Alana Catron

      Didn’t have castile, but I have African soap, and it worked well and very lathery. Though I will have to use the apple vinegar rinse next time to bring the Ph level back to normal because it felt aweful afterwards. Funny it works great for my son, maybe because his hair has a silkier texture than mine, I don’t know.

    • http://tangledtranquility.com/ Kathy

      Any thoughts about how I can get this to lather?  I can’t use Dr. Bronners (allergy to corn and gluten) but I bought organic castile with almond (Whole Foods Brand)  It had more bubbles in the bottle than I did when I used it.  

    • http://jennebeker.wordpress.com/ Jennifer N.

      So, I haven’t actually tried this process yet, but I’m interested in learning more.  In reading through the comments, I noticed some people complained about a gluey texture after the process.  I can’t double check this at the moment, but I remember in the past trying to clean something with castille soap and vinegar.  Instead of being an amazing cleaning solution like I thought it should, it clumped up.  I recall the vinegar causing the castille soap to solidify.  I’m out of soap at the moment, so I can’t double check, but I wonder if there’s any correlation, with the vinegar reacting to residual castille soap.  Hope this thought might help somebody.

      • Lauren Palenchar

        The vinegar and castile soap will solidify but its only temporary. If you wait a few minutes and shake it up it should be fine. I use lavender castile soap, white vinegar and water as a cleaning solution.

    • Lauren Palenchar

      I also want to thank you for this recipe! My son has cradle cap really bad and nothing has worked for it. My doctor suggested I use Selsun Blue on him but I was really reluctant to do that. When I found this recipe I decided to use the Mild Baby Dr. Bronners with the coconut milk and after 2 washes his cradle cap is almost gone. I also use it on myself and love it!

    • Elizabeth

      I tried this and after the first week of my hair getting used to it, I LOVE it!  I did however find it a bit annoying that I had to make coconut milk every week since I was running out of things to do with it.  I found I was jealous of that shampoo bottle that lasted for months and didn’t need refrigeration.  I decided to freeze a small batch of coconut milk into 3-tsp cubes – now each week I plunk a coconut ice cube into my jar with 3 tbsp of Castille and I’m set for the week without dragging out the blender!

    • Baileybee93

      I’m on the end of my second week of the “no-poo” challenge and have been using your recipe. It seems like most people have had their amazing turning moment around the end of week one. My hair continues to be waxy, dry at the roots, greasy in the middle, dry at the ends not to mention really bad flakes. I wash with it every other day. Is there something I’m doing wrong? Will it get any better? HELP!

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sura-Sure/1444812537 Sura Sure

      just found out, by mistake, that it’s kind of the same even if you blend a tbsp of milk and a tsp of brinner… money-saver, huh? -))
      so i guess 1:1 also should work great.

      • http://feedingmytribe.wordpress.com/ Feedingmytribe

        I accidentally did the same thing… in the pic the tablespoon is in front of the coconut oil and the teaspoon is in front of the soap, so I gues the visual cues overrode the text for me.  I thought is was a little greasy and not very sudsy using 3 parts coconut milk and 1 part soap.  Did not realize I did it until after I used it once.  I just added more soap to the bottle of shampoo, so next time should be more balanced.

    • http://www.facebook.com/GeoffPetersen13 Haile Dominguez

      One thing I’ve been wondering is when you go to a salon, they’re obviously going to wash your hair. Would one washing with actual shampoo & conditioner throw a wrench in all the damage you’ve been reversing?

      Also, would store bought coconut milk be okay to use for this?

    • MLH

      Thank you! This is a wonderful recipe…It worked great for me even with canned coconut milk (I had already bought it before I read all the comments)…I added baking soda to counteract the hard water and rinsed with ACV…I have very fine hair and even after sleeping on it it isn’t greasy and still has volume! Highly recommend!

      • Tina

        How much baking soda did you use?

    • Towler333

      I used about 1/2 tsp coconut oil (from the coconut milk recipe) melted in a tiny amount of boiling water. Added 1 tbsp.  Castile soap.  It works beautifully!  

    • RubiRoseMama

      I just finished my first batch of milk for my first batch of Sorta ‘Poo. Couldn’t find my mesh strainer so I used my river with pretty good results. Only a few floaters! Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!

    • AspenRose

       first, can you use coconut oil instead of coconut milk in sorta ‘poo? this is the second crunchy thing i’m trying and i bought the wrong thing! second, can you use coconut oil to make coconut milk?

      • terrapinmama

         I wouldn’t recommend using the oil instead of the milk , although the coconut oil can be used as a conditioner (and MANY other wonderful things). You cannot make coconut milk from the oil, but there is a fair amount of the oil in canned coconut milk. Some people make it themselves, but I just buy the canned. Works great! You can wash your hair with it, shave with it, use it as a hand soap… It’s not just a great shampoo.

    • cdngrleh

      Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you for this recipe! I’ve been trying the no-poo challenge for the past 8 weeks and it just wasn’t working for me. Too little baking soda=greasy. Too much=dry. It also was stripping the henna right outta my hair. Not that henna’s expensive when you mix it yourself, but it’s gotta stay on your head for 4 hrs so totally inconvenient to do more often. BUT! Tried this today and my hair feels clean for the first time in 8 weeks. Super soft and static free too. No conditioner necessary besides the ACV rinse. Must admit that I cheated on the coconut milk and bought a can of it (unsweetened) and it worked like a charm. Also great for shaving. Anyhow, very pleased with it. Would recommend.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002169845236 Keesha Doss

      omg seriously i’ve been looking for this! thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    • Audrey P

      Works great with Trader Joe’s low fat coconut milk (they don’t use any preservatives!) and Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild.  My hair felt light and clean, and looks great.  Thanks for sharing this uber-simple recipe.  

    • Natalie

      I’ve been no poo for 7 weeks. I have thin, straight, short hair. Its been sort of a nightmare. However, regular shampoo is worse. My hair does absolutely nothing when I wash with regular shampoo, but using bs and acv leaves my hair either too dry or too oily. I’m about to try your sorta poo :)   I will need to buy some castille soap (husband took in on a business trip). I am VERY eager to try this!!! Thanks for the blog!!

      • Natalie

        Ok, did it. Hair is definitely super clean. However, part of why I don’t wash my hair is because when its super clean it does NOTHING! So, my hair is flat and lifeless now. I think I’d like to do this maybe once a month just to give it a good clean feeling, but its just too clean and doesn’t do anything :/

    • Lacerock

      I’m late to the party, but wanted you to know I loved this!  I have not tried making this with homemade coconut milk yet, but I did try it with canned organic coconut milk.  I let the can sit in the fridge for 24 hours first and the “cream” rose to the top.  That is what I used in the recipe and it worked well.  It did not cause greasiness at all.  Next I made a batch the same way but added a little honey and olive oil.  Even better!  And it does not need to be refrigerated to stay fresh.  I keep it in the shower and no problems.  My recipe is 3/4 cup coconut milk “cream”, 1 cup castile, 1 Tablespoon honey, and 1 Tablespoon olive oil.  Shake well before each use. I have fine thin hair and this makes it soft, smooth, shiny, and full.  I do rinse with a weak Apple Cider Vinegar rinse afterward.  Thanks, Crunchy Betty!

    • Tina

      I’ve been trying this for a couple of days now and my hair is like a big ‘ol grease ball! l noticed in one of the other no’poo recipes I saw, they used baking soda. Can I add that to the coconut/bronners mixture? Would it affect the soap? Would it help with the grease? Or do I just need to give it a few weeks? Thanks for all your post and for all the ideas!  Love reading your blog :-)

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