How to Use a Shampoo Bar

Many shampoo bar users have a similar story to tell.

They hear about shampoo bars from a friend or online, sometimes already frustrated with the downsides of liquid shampoo: plastic bottles that are difficult to recycle and bad for the environment, and harsh chemicals from mainstream commercial formulas, to name a few.

Once convinced, the search begins: local organic stores, fancy cosmetic shops, or a quick search for "natural shampoo bars" online. Eventually the bar arrives, and the next question is, "How do I use this thing?"

Liquid shampoo is so ubiquitous that bar soap tends to only get applied to hands and bodies. At first it may seem strange to use any kind of bar on the head. Remember, though, that a shampoo bar is just the dehydrated bar form of the same liquid shampoo used for years.

Used the right way, a shampoo bar can deliver the same or better results for less money, while cutting down on plastic waste. Here's how to get the most out of one.

How to Use a Shampoo Bar

There are two methods of using a shampoo bar:

1. lathering and rubbing in the lather
2. rubbing the bar directly on the head

Both are worth trying to see which works best. For a first attempt, method one is recommended, since it's most similar to how regular soap bars are used to wash hands and body.

Method 1: Lathering

Step 1: Get Wet

Give hair time to soak under the shower head until it's thoroughly wet, then move away from the water for the next step.

Step 2: Rub the Bar in Your Hands

Rub the shampoo bar in wet hands until a good lather with lots of suds builds up. If the bar isn't lathering as much as expected, try rotating it in different directions or holding it under the shower head for a heavier soak.

Step 3: Apply the Lather

Apply the lather to wet hair, combing it from the forehead to the back of the neck and around the sides of the head.

For long hair, there's no need to work the lather into strands that aren't close to the scalp, since shampoo is for keeping the scalp clean while conditioner handles the rest of the hair. If the bar also has conditioner built in, feel free to spread the lather through all parts of the hair and skip a separate conditioner.

Step 4: Massage the Lather Into the Scalp

Gently massage the lather into the scalp, just like with normal shampooing, making sure not to miss any sections.

Step 5: Rinse

Wash all of the suds out, gently massaging again while doing so. Warm water works best for this part of the process.

Step 6: Store and Dry

Don't leave the bar sitting around wet. Proper storage helps it last.

Method 2: Direct Rubbing

Step 1: Get Wet

In both methods it's crucial to get hair and the bar completely wet before starting. Do not use a shampoo bar on dry hair, especially when rubbing directly.

Step 2: Rub Directly on the Head

Similar to combing or brushing, gently rub the bar directly on the scalp in sections, starting at the front and moving to the back and sides. Repeat until a good lather builds up.

Step 3: Rinse

Keep rinsing until all the lather is out of the hair.

Step 4: Store and Dry

To keep a shampoo bar dry, store it in a soap dish that drains water.

Storage and Drying Methods

Some people prefer to go beyond finishing a shower and tossing the shampoo bar onto a dish. Here are a few time-intensive but effective methods:

Take It Out of the Shower

Outside a moist environment, a bar will dry more easily, so leaving it in another room after a shower can help.

Place It on a Clean Towel

Set the bar on a clean towel and let it sit for 5-20 minutes, longer if needed, patting it dry along the way rather than wrapping it in the towel, which can cause it to stick.

Dishes and Tins

Soap dishes or holders are widely available at bathroom product retailers. Look for one that drains or absorbs instead of retaining water. For travel, a small container designed to hold bar soap works well too.

Transitioning from Liquid to Bar

Switching from a typical commercial shampoo to a bar isn't always easy at first, and hair might feel a little uncomfortable during the transition, which can last anywhere from a few days to a month.

During this time, some frizz, tangles or a waxy feeling may show up, a result of the higher concentration of cleanser in solid shampoo bars. There might be some buildup initially, but continued use will typically get rid of this residue.

The process is similar to switching from liquid hand soap to bar soap: hands might feel a little waxy or build up residue at first, and that's normal, since skin adapts to new habits over time.

Once the adjustment period passes, the natural oils in the bar tend to leave hair feeling lush. If the waxy feeling persists, a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse (often called an "ACV rinse") can help.

Hair Care Tips When Using a Natural Shampoo Bar

• Because most shampoo bars contain only natural ingredients not derived from animals, they're usually a great choice for anyone who prefers vegan products.
• Essential oils in a shampoo bar can be a great fit for anyone who reacts well to them.
• Shampoo bars work on all hair types but are especially effective on dry hair, since they tend to be rich in hydrating ingredients such as coconut oil, palm oil and castor oil.
• Oily hair can benefit from shampoo bars formulated to leave only the essential oils while stripping away the rest.
• Products with citrus oils work especially well on oily hair.
• Bars with aritha (soap nuts) provide a balance of essential oils and can be particularly effective for fighting dandruff.
• A shampoo bar is ideal for medium-length or short hair.
• For long hair, comb the lather all the way from top to bottom.
• Many people don't need a separate conditioner after using a shampoo bar.
• Some brands sell conditioner in bar form, or a combined shampoo and conditioner bar.
• Shampoo bars work better with soft water, which has a lower concentration of calcium and magnesium. Hard water often contributes to waxy buildup.
• Without soft water, a shower head that filters hard water is worth considering, or an ACV rinse after shampooing.

One Bar, Many Benefits

A shampoo bar's versatility, sustainability and savings make it worth sticking with once the transition is complete.

Shampoo bars have a variety of ingredients for different hair care needs, from cocoa butter for hair growth to avocado oil for scalp moisture. It's worth checking the ingredients for a specific benefit.

For anyone who wants to be minimalist and frugal, shampoo bars can double as body bars, eliminating the need for separate body wash or bar soap.

Buying shampoo bars exclusively and ditching bottles reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and the ocean, all while using a product that's truly zero waste and zero hassle.