How to make dry shampoo | Zero Waste Tutorial

Need to leave the house but your hair’s looking a little greasy? Dry shampoo is a quick fix for that. Sprinkle a little on your roots so it absorbs oil and dirt, and you’re good to go. It’s a lifesaver if you want to look fresh after exercising on a hot day but don’t necessarily want to wash your hair again, or if you’re camping or out in the wild. Dry shampoo is also very useful if you’re trying to avoid washing your hair every day in order to stop your hair from drying out, but find that your roots get weighed down by the end of the day.

Why make your own dry shampoo?

Commercial dry shampoo often comes in an aerosol can, which is may or may not recyclable, depending on your area. Even if they’re officially recyclable, there are lots of bits and bobs, like the plastic aerosol button, that aren’t.

And finally, cosmetic products like dry shampoo are often packed with chemicals with a high carbon footprint.

The good news for all of you dry shampoo sprinklers is that there’s a super easy and basic way to make your own, using just one or two simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen, and that takes just a minute or two and costs way less than commercial dry shampoo. If you can find it packaging free at your local bulk of zero waste store, all the better.

As someone who lives frugally, there’s nothing I like more than a recipe that saves money AND the planet at the same time!

Homemade dry shampoo recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 portion arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• 1 portion coco powder (for those with dark hair only)

Step 1

Get your hands on 1 portion of arrowroot powder. You can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot powder has a nicer feel and doesn’t show as much on dark hair.

Step 2

If you have dark hair, add 1 portion of coco powder. You can skip to step 4 if you have light hair or are just too lazy to add a second ingredient.

Step 3

Mix the two powders with a spoon.

How to use DIY zero waste dry shampoo

Sprinkle over your scalp and massage. That’s it!

Some people like to use a makeup brush to make sure the powder is evenly distributed, or add a little water so they can spray it onto their roots. I’m not that meticulous so I never bother.

I have jet black hair but have used used this dry shampoo recipe without bothering to add coco powder, and honestly, it didn’t show.

Remember, dry shampoo isn’t a substitute for washing your hair–it’s meant to help you go for a longer time between washes. I usually wash my hair using homemade solid shampoo, the recipe for which I’ll be publishing soon.