Shampoo bars are becoming a popular alternative to traditional bottled shampoo, particularly for people looking for a simpler haircare routine and ways to reduce plastic packaging. Compact, convenient and easy to use, solid shampoo can be a small change that makes a difference to the amount of plastic in your bathroom.
But if you’ve always used liquid shampoo, making the switch can raise a few questions. How do you use a solid bar? How long does one last? And how do you choose the right one for your hair?
In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most common questions and help you decide whether solid shampoo could work for you.
What Are Shampoo Bars?
Shampoo bars are solid hair-cleansing products designed to be used instead of traditional liquid shampoo.
Rather than squeezing shampoo from a bottle, you wet the bar and create a lather before massaging it through your hair and scalp. Once rinsed, the bar can be left to dry ready for your next wash.
Although they can look similar, an ordinary soap bar and a product designed for washing hair aren’t necessarily the same thing.
If you’re wondering about the difference, we’ve explored this in more detail in our guide Can You Wash Your Hair with Soap?
Why Make the Switch?
There are several reasons why solid shampoo has become increasingly popular.
Less Plastic in the Bathroom
One of the biggest attractions is packaging.
Traditional shampoo usually comes in plastic bottles, while solid alternatives can be packaged much more simply. If you’re trying to cut down on single-use plastic, swapping just one regularly used bathroom product can be an easy place to start.
Compact and Convenient
Solid haircare takes up very little room in the bathroom, gym bag or suitcase.
There’s also no bottle to leak, making it particularly convenient when travelling.
Less Can Be More
It can be surprisingly easy to pour more liquid shampoo than you actually need. With a solid product, you have greater control over the amount you use.
A little lather can go a long way, and looking after the bar properly between washes can help it last even longer.
How Do You Use One?
Switching from liquid shampoo is straightforward, although it may feel slightly different the first few times.
Start by thoroughly wetting your hair and the bar.
You can then either rub it between your wet hands to create a lather or gently apply it to wet hair. Massage the lather through your hair and scalp as you normally would before rinsing thoroughly.
You don’t need to use lots of product. Start with a small amount and add more if you need it.
After washing, put the bar somewhere it can drain and dry.
How Long Does a Shampoo Bar Last?
How long a shampoo bar lasts depends on its size, how frequently you wash your hair, how much you use and how well you look after it between washes.
Storage can make a particularly big difference.
If a solid bar is left sitting in water, it will remain soft and disappear much more quickly. Allowing it to dry thoroughly between uses helps you get much more from it.
So, while there isn’t one answer that applies to everyone, good storage and using only the amount you need can help your bar last considerably longer.
Getting the Most from Your Bar
The simplest way to prolong its life is to keep it dry between washes.
Use a well-draining soap dish or rack that allows air to circulate around it rather than leaving it on a flat, wet surface.
If you’re taking it away with you, ideally allow it to dry before putting it into a travel tin or container.
It’s a very small habit, but one that can make a noticeable difference.
Choosing the Right One for Your Hair
Just as liquid shampoos come in different formulations, solid haircare products aren’t all identical.
Take a little time to look at the ingredients and choose a product designed specifically for washing hair. If you have allergies, sensitivities or particular haircare requirements, always check the full ingredient list before use.
At Soap & Mhor, we handcraft a selection of natural shampoo bars in the Scottish Highlands, each offering its own combination of ingredients and fragrance.
Lavender, Mint & Spirulina
A fresh combination of lavender and mint with spirulina, creating a distinctive handcrafted bar with a wonderfully refreshing fragrance.
Green Clay & Peppermint
Green clay combined with peppermint creates a fresh, invigorating option for your haircare routine.
Sweet Orange & Sandalwood
Sweet orange and sandalwood combine citrus notes with a warmer, woody fragrance for those who prefer something a little different.
Whichever you choose, making the move from bottled to solid shampoo doesn’t need to mean complicating your routine.
A Simple Step Towards a Lower-Waste Bathroom
Creating a more sustainable bathroom doesn’t mean replacing everything you own overnight.
Small changes add up.
Think about the number of bottles of shampoo you might use over a year, and then over several years. Replacing a regularly purchased bottled product with a solid alternative can gradually reduce the amount of plastic packaging you bring into your home.
It’s one reason natural shampoo bars appeal to people looking for practical ways to make their everyday routines a little more sustainable.
Perfect for Travel
Solid shampoo really comes into its own when you’re away from home.
It’s compact, lightweight and there’s no risk of opening your suitcase to discover that your shampoo bottle has leaked over everything.
Solid products can also be particularly convenient when flying because they don’t need to be packed alongside your liquids.
Just remember to let the bar dry before packing it away where possible.
Soap or Shampoo: Does It Matter?
Yes. Although a traditional soap bar and solid shampoo can look very similar, you shouldn’t assume that an ordinary body soap is intended for use on your hair.
Different products can use different formulations and ingredients, so always check what the maker recommends.
We’ve gone into this subject in much more detail in our article Can You Wash Your Hair with Soap?, including the differences between products designed for your body and those intended for your hair.
Discover Handmade Shampoo Bars from the Scottish Highlands
At Soap & Mhor, we believe everyday skincare and haircare can be simple, enjoyable and thoughtfully made.
Our natural shampoo bars are handcrafted in the Scottish Highlands alongside our award-winning soaps and skincare products.
Whether you’re looking to reduce plastic in your bathroom, want something convenient for travelling or simply fancy trying a different way to wash your hair, switching to solid shampoo is an easy change to make.
Explore our handmade range and discover a new way to care for your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do shampoo bars really work?
Solid shampoo is designed to cleanse your hair just as liquid shampoo does, although formulations vary between products. Choose one specifically intended for hair and always follow the maker’s directions.
Do I need to use lots of product?
No. Start with a small amount of lather and add more only if required. Using more doesn’t necessarily mean your hair will be cleaner and will simply make the bar disappear more quickly.
How should I store it between washes?
Keep it somewhere with good drainage and airflow so it can dry thoroughly. Avoid leaving it sitting in water or on a permanently wet surface.
Can I take solid shampoo on holiday?
Yes. Its compact size and solid format make it particularly useful for travelling. It also doesn’t need to go into your liquids bag when flying.
Is solid shampoo the same as ordinary soap?
Not necessarily. Products designed for washing hair can differ from traditional body soaps in their formulation and intended use. Check the product information before using any bar on your hair.