Useful Stuff to Know » article » DIY Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothpaste, Moisturizer for CHEAP » Apr 26, 12:48 AM

The simplest and cheapest household ingredients can replace expensive grooming products. Here is what works:

• Shampoo – all you need is a bar of soap. Say goodbye to sodium lauryl sulfate and tons of other chemicals. A simple bar of soap takes the place of shampoo. Glycerin soap works great. Ivory is fine. Something with very few ingredients. Avoid harsher soaps like Dial or Irish Spring.

• Conditioner – all you need there is some vinegar diluted in double the amount of water. After shampooing, dump the vinegar solution into your hair, let sit for 30 seconds, and rinse off. After your hair dries, the vinegar smell will be gone, but your hair will be tangle-free and light as though using the best conditioner. Apple cider vinegar is recommended, but regular white vinegar works as well.

• Toothpaste – all you need is baking soda and peppermint oil dissolved in some water. Not only does this clean teeth very well, and not only does it freshen your breath, but it alkalizes the mouth which assists in tooth remineralization.

• Moisturizer – all you need is extra virgin olive oil. Forget those hand and face lotions with a paragraph of chemical ingredients. Just put olive oil in a dropper bottle, and use three drops for the face after washing, three drops worked into your hair if you don’t like that poofy dry-hair look after showering, some worked onto your scalp if you have an itchy scalp, and as much as needed for the rest of your body. It will make you look healthier. Olive oil does not clog pores and has been known to help reduce acne by keeping the skin oiled so that the skin does not produce as much of its own oil which is what clogs the pores.

• Hair Gel – all you need is flax seeds boiled in water. Put two tablespoons flax seeds into one cup water, bring to a boil and keep boiling for a minute or two, then strain out the seeds and refrigerate the liquid. The result will be a gooey gel that works as well as any commercial hair gel, except it is all natural and low priced.

So imagine that, with just some soap, baking soda, peppermint oil, vinegar, olive oil, and flax seeds you can take care of your grooming needs without exposing yourself to artificial chemicals. You will save a lot of money using these tricks and look good for it!