Amy Warden’s Soap Challenge for the month of October was to recreate a soap that looks like the picture below.

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But not the way most people do.  After 20 weeks without using any shampoo, I've learned a lot about the "no-poo" movement - and what really happens when you stop relying on detergent-based products.  My scalp went through changes, my hair had good days and weird days, and ultimately found something better.

In this post, I'll share why I gave up conventional shampoo, how shampoo bars helped reset my routine, and what you should expect if you're thinking about making the switch.

You might be wondering why I'd write about something like this.  Well...I haven't washed by hair since September 8th - so for me, it's a pretty big deal!

Now before you decide I've lost my mind - don't worry, I have been cleaning my hair, I've just stopped using shampoo.

This started as an experiment.  Over time, more and more of my customers have been asking about our shampoo bars and the "no-poo" method.  For many, the goal is to reduce plastic waste - those endless bottles filling landfills.  Our shampoo bars completely dissolve with use, and the packaging is biodegradable paper, so they're a great zero-waste alternative.

But, there's more to it than just eco-friendly packaging.  People are also stepping away from what we think of as "normal" shampoos and conditioners for reasons like scalp health, ingredient concerns or simply wanting a more natural approach to hair care.

Some people choose to go shampoo-free in a pursuit of a more natural lifestyle - embracing the "be one with nature" philosophy.  I remember a family friend from my teenage years who never used conventional shampoo, conditioner or many other hygiene products.  He always said, "You're just stripping your natural oils away, only to replace them with synthetic ones."

He wasn't wrong - and I've always respected that perspective.  Still, I could never quite bring myself to abandon the hygiene habits passed down by my parents and grandparents.

On a more serious note, many people today are dealing with chronic health challenges or infertility, and they're becoming more cautious about what they put on (and in) their bodies.  That includes avoiding certain chemicals in body care products - along with things like caffeine, sugar, alcohol and plenty of other indulgences we tend to poison ourselves with daily.

This shift has really caught my attention.  I've done a bit of research, and I truly believe a lot of what we regularly use is unnecessarily harsh on our bodies.  It's made me more mindful of what goes into my food, my skincare, and my products.

(And, let's be honest:  one season of The Handmaid's Tale is enough to make anyone rethink their ingredient list.)

In doing my research, I found that many people go without washing their hair with shampoo or conditioner at all.  They claim that after 6–8 weeks, the scalp adjusts and stops producing excess oil. The idea is that, with proper care—like brushing your hair 100 strokes a day with a bristled brush—you can evenly distribute those natural oils, leading to soft, shiny, healthy hair.

This practice was apparently common up until the 1930s to 1950s, before modern shampoos and conditioners became widely available. It’s not that people had poor hygiene back then—they simply had a different, more intentional approach to hair care. In many ways, it was an art form we’ve forgotten.

But before I go further down that rabbit hole, let me explain why I personally decided to go cold turkey—stopping both conventional shampoo and even my beloved shampoo bar.

I’ve used my own shampoo bars off and on for years and truly love them. But in the soapmaking world, there’s ongoing debate about whether shampoo bars are ideal for long-term hair care. Some argue that using a soap-based bar, followed by an acidic rinse (like apple cider vinegar), causes the hair shaft to bend in one direction during washing and then the opposite way during conditioning—which could potentially weaken the hair over time. Others swear by their bars and have used them for years with no problems. Honestly, the discrepancy likely comes down to differences in formulation.

So I thought—why fuss over it at all?

I’m not someone who uses a lot of styling products, and my curiosity was piqued.  I wanted to see what would happen if I just let my hair go completely natural.  My hair was fairly short at the time, which made this the perfect opportunity.  I figured I could avoid any potential damage and simply let my natural oils do the work of conditioning.

I kicked things off with a good clean—using my shampoo bar on September 8th.  I've always noticed that when I use my bar, my hair stays cleaner longer.  I usually only need to wash it about twice a week, which is already less frequent than when I use liquid shampoos.  But this time, I was setting out on a longer journey.  Instead of just spacing out washes, I was going to stop washing my hair altogether—and see what happened.

After about five days, I noticed my hair was at its peak oiliness.  But interestingly, throughout the entire experiment, it fluctuated—sometimes oily, sometimes a bit dry.  I suspect this inconsistency had to do with my less-than-diligent brushing routine.  Brushing the oils through with a good bristle brush really helped distribute the oil more evenly—keeping the roots from feeling greasy and the ends from drying out.

By the five-week mark, I had an appointment with my hairdresser (who, I have to say, is a total trooper for putting up with this experiment!).  We talked about how my hair was behaving.  She noted - and I agreed - that it was surprisingly difficult to get the roots fully wet.  There was definitely a noticeable amount of oil buildup, though visually, my hair looked fine.  In fact, I received quite a few compliments during this experiment.  It just felt... different.

There were some interesting upsides, too. Back in the day, women created elaborate hairstyles that stayed put all day, and now I understand how.  During this experiment, I could pop in a barrette and it would actually stay - no slipping, no adjusting.  Compare that to today, when my freshly-washed hair is so soft and slippery I have to reclip accessories constantly. That was definitely a plus!

Now, when I say I wasn’t washing my hair, that’s not entirely true. I was washing it—just without shampoo.  I used warm water in the shower and spent just as much time working through my scalp and roots as I would during a normal wash.  A good shower comb made a big difference, helping me really distribute oils and detangle gently.

I also kept blow drying my hair.  That was a personal preference—I found that when I blow dried it, my hair had more lift and held its shape better.  It simply looked and felt more styled, and that helped me feel more put together during the transition.

I continued on and settled into a new routine, but to be honest—I really didn’t love the feel of my hair. I know much of that is just what I’m used to, but I kept waiting for the silky, transformed hair that so many no-poo enthusiasts rave about after six to eight weeks.

Instead, over the last couple of weeks, the buildup seemed to get worse—not better.  And that’s why... I washed my hair today.

For me, personally, I just prefer the softer, lighter feel of freshly washed hair.  That “clean hair” sensation is something I really enjoy, and I missed it.

That said--it feels amazing today! Softer than before the experiment, even.  I actually think giving my hair a break from regular washing acted a bit like a deep conditioning treatment.  So while I may not go full no-poo long-term, I do think there’s value in stepping back once in a while and letting your natural oils do their thing.

Growing up, anytime I tried using a bar of soap on my hair, it was... well, awful.  If you’ve tried it, you probably know what I mean—that waxy, filmy residue that makes your hair feel coated and sticky.  It was enough to be extremely skeptical, for years.

My husband and I have had several conversations about this.  While I think shampoo bars give that “squeaky clean” feeling and clarify the scalp, he associates that same squeakiness with buildup - like the residue you get from a regular bar of soap.

So today, when I finally washed my hair again, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I need to wash it twice to get all the buildup out?

The answer was a resounding no.

One wash with my shampoo bar, and my hair felt fresh, light, and beautifully clean.  Once it dried, it looked and felt as good as ever—maybe even better.

I think I’ve found a great alternative to using conditioners filled with questionable ingredients. Moving forward, I may not go two full months without washing, but letting my hair “rest” for a while really worked for me.  Even just taking a break for a few weeks can do wonders—at least for my hair and body type.

The end result?  Totally worth it.

Have your own no-poo experience?  I'd love to hear about it!