How can I make shampoo out of soap bars?

October 10, 2008 6:34 AM

There's this soap that I really like and leaves my hair glowing and feeling very clean. I would like to "melt" the soaps into a bottle so I can use it as proper shampoo, especially when I go to the gym. Does anyone know how this can be done?
posted by uauage to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (10 answers total)

Best answer: Break up the soap into small pieces and put them in the blender. Add hot water and let the soap sit overnight until it gets really mushy. In the morning, blend the soap, adding more water until it is at the consistency you like.
posted by bjgeiger at 6:50 AM on October 10, 2008

Yep, bjgeiger has it. Most recipes I've seen call for about 100g soap flakes to 1 litre of water.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 6:53 AM on October 10, 2008

I'd say add some glycerine in there in addition to/instead of the water.
posted by TomMelee at 6:53 AM on October 10, 2008

Best answer: Saw this a few weeks ago, essentially a combination of what everyone already said.
posted by mandal at 6:55 AM on October 10, 2008

Add water - approximately 2 parts to 1 and add 0.5 glycerin. Enjoy.
posted by watercarrier at 6:56 AM on October 10, 2008

Deliberately not answering the question: I've generally found solid shampoos, if anything, to be more convenient for the gym. Get one of those travel soap dishes that close up to keep your soap in, and you don't have to worry about bottles leaking or tops coming off in your bag. And if your soap ever does escape, at least the damage is localized.

LUSH sells solid shampoos, so it's not as weird as you might think.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:10 AM on October 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

Interesting idea. What is this bar of wonderful called?
posted by bsx at 7:14 AM on October 10, 2008

Seconding jacquilynne; nothing wrong with solid shampoo bars. Burt's Bees makes a few too.

(On the other hand, converting solid bars into liquid is a pretty neato idea and one I will have to try, since I usually prefer liquid shower gels to bar soap.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:37 AM on October 10, 2008

Found that bar soap add a TAD more scum residue than the liquid.
posted by watercarrier at 7:40 AM on October 10, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks everyone.
The reason I don't like to take the soap bar to the gym is because it gets messy and I would hate forgetting it there.
The soap is the Mexican version of the Camay. I don't know if it's the same as in the US or elsewhere. I live in Italy but I found the Camay on my last trip to Mexico and looooved it. Went to a costco and bought a box of 20 bars! Tomorrow I'll do as you said and prepare myself a bottle of shampoo.
posted by uauage at 8:20 AM on October 10, 2008 [1 favorite]