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You can make lavender shampoo at home by infusing fresh or dried lavender into a gentle liquid soap base.
It’s one of those simple DIY projects that feels fancy but actually takes just a few minutes of hands-on time.
Whether you want a calming wash for bedtime showers or you’re just tired of paying premium prices for tiny bottles, homemade lavender shampoo is a great place to start.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make lavender shampoo step by step, plus a few variations you can try.
Let’s get into it.
Why Make Lavender Shampoo?
Lavender shampoo is more than just a pretty scent.
Lavender has been used for centuries for its calming and soothing properties, and those benefits carry right into your hair care routine.
Here’s what makes making lavender shampoo worth the effort:
1. It’s Gentle on Your Scalp
When you make lavender shampoo at home, you control exactly what goes into it.
That means no harsh sulfates, no mystery preservatives, and no synthetic fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin.
Lavender itself is known for being soothing, which makes homemade lavender shampoo a solid choice if your scalp tends to get dry or reactive.
2. You Can Customize the Strength
Some people want a faint hint of lavender, others want their shower to smell like a spa.
When you make lavender shampoo yourself, you decide how much lavender goes in.
You can also blend in other ingredients like chamomile, rosemary, or peppermint to fine-tune your lavender shampoo for your hair type.
3. It’s Cost-Effective in the Long Run
A small bottle of artisan lavender shampoo can run you $15 or more.
But a batch of homemade lavender shampoo using castile soap, lavender essential oil, and a few pantry staples costs far less per ounce.
Once you get the hang of making lavender shampoo, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff.
How to Make Lavender Shampoo: The Basic Recipe
Learning how to make lavender shampoo comes down to three things: a liquid soap base, lavender in some form, and a little bit of care with the ratios.
Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
For a basic batch of lavender shampoo, you’ll need:
– 1/2 cup liquid castile soap (unscented)
– 1/4 cup distilled water
– 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
– 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
– 15–20 drops lavender essential oil
– Optional: 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds for a stronger infusion
Everything here is easy to find online or at a health food store.
2. Mix the Base Liquids
In a clean bowl or a large glass measuring cup, combine the distilled water, aloe vera gel, and vegetable glycerin.
Stir gently until everything is fully blended.
This mixture is what gives your lavender shampoo its moisture and slip.
3. Add the Castile Soap
Slowly pour in the liquid castile soap and stir gently.
Don’t whisk aggressively, because you don’t want bubbles forming at this stage.
You’re just combining the ingredients so your lavender shampoo cleanses without stripping your hair.
4. Drop In the Lavender Essential Oil
Add 15–20 drops of lavender essential oil, depending on how strong you want the scent.
If you want your lavender shampoo to double as a bedtime wind-down product, go with the higher end of that range.
Stir once more to distribute the oil evenly.
5. Bottle and Store Your Lavender Shampoo
Pour your finished lavender shampoo into a clean squeeze bottle or pump bottle.
Store it in a cool, dark spot, and it should keep for about two to three weeks.
Since this lavender shampoo has no preservatives, small batches are best.
Variations to Try When Making Lavender Shampoo
Once you’ve nailed the basic lavender shampoo recipe, you can start experimenting.
The best part about making lavender shampoo is that it’s endlessly tweakable.
1. Lavender and Rosemary for Dark Hair
Rosemary is a classic companion to lavender.
Add 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to your lavender shampoo, and you’ve got a blend that smells earthy and fresh.
Rosemary is often used in natural hair care for darker tones, so this version of lavender shampoo is a nice match for brunettes.
2. Lavender and Chamomile for Blondes
Chamomile has a soft, sweet scent that pairs beautifully with lavender.
Swap 5 drops of lavender oil for 10 drops of chamomile essential oil, and your lavender shampoo becomes a gentle brightening option for lighter hair.
3. Lavender and Tea Tree for Oily Scalps
If your scalp gets greasy quickly, tea tree oil is your friend.
Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to your lavender shampoo base, and you’ll get a clarifying wash that still smells calming.
Tips for Perfecting Your Lavender Shampoo
Making lavender shampoo is simple, but a few small habits make a big difference.
Here are the ones that matter most.
1. Shake Before Every Use
Because homemade lavender shampoo doesn’t contain emulsifiers, the oils will separate over time.
A quick shake before you pour keeps everything blended.
2. Start With Less Essential Oil
It’s easier to add more lavender oil than to fix a batch that’s overpowering.
Start with 10 drops when making lavender shampoo, then adjust next time.
3. Use Distilled Water Only
Tap water introduces minerals and bacteria that shorten the shelf life of your lavender shampoo.
Distilled water keeps your homemade lavender shampoo fresher for longer.
So, How Do You Make Lavender Shampoo?
You make lavender shampoo by blending liquid castile soap, distilled water, aloe vera gel, glycerin, and lavender essential oil into a simple, gentle wash.
It takes minutes to prepare, smells amazing, and lets you skip the synthetic ingredients found in most store-bought bottles.
Whether you stick to the basic recipe or branch out with rosemary, chamomile, or tea tree, homemade lavender shampoo is a small project with a big payoff.
Give it a try, and your shower routine might just become the best part of your day.