Hygiene is a big deal even when we’re on the road, away from proper shower facilities most of the time. We gotta use natural water sources to keep up with our daily grooming routines. But, when it comes to the environment, there’s a lot to consider, especially when picking the right grooming products

Why can’t I just wash my hair with regular shower gel/shampoo?

Washing your hair with regular shower gel/shampoo in rivers raises various environmental and health concerns. Conventional shampoos contain a bunch of chemicals like surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances. These chemicals can seep into river water, messing with its quality and harming aquatic life. Plus, shampoos can contain nutrients like phosphates, leading to excessive algae growth in rivers and lakes, which messes up the ecological balance and can kill off fish and other water critters. And let’s not forget about packaging waste. Lots of grooming products still come in plastic bottles that often end up in rivers and oceans, messing with water quality and endangering wildlife. As nature lovers, it’s just not cool to burden nature with these pollutants.

So, what now?

Natural hair washing with rye flour:

More and more people are exploring alternative ways to clean their hair while reducing environmental impact. One of these sustainable options is using rye flour as a shampoo substitute.

Why rye flour?

Unlike conventional shampoos full of chemical ingredients, rye flour is completely biodegradable, reducing environmental burden after use. Plus, packaging rye flour creates way less waste, and it can be locally and ecologically grown, cutting down on carbon emissions from transportation and production.

Rye flour also offers many benefits for hair:

It’s a natural cleanser that gently removes dirt, excess oil, and styling product residues without irritating or drying out the scalp. Unlike some shampoos with harsh surfactants, rye flour cleans hair gently, respecting the scalp’s natural balance. Plus, using rye flour can help retain moisture in the hair and nourish dry, brittle strands, forming a natural barrier to lock in moisture and protect against drying out. The natural ingredients in rye flour, including vitamins, minerals, and proteins, strengthen hair structure, promote growth, and give hair shine and smoothness.

And for all the folks with sensitive skin:

Since rye flour doesn’t contain synthetic chemicals or fragrances, it’s a hypoallergenic option for people with sensitive skin or allergies to certain ingredients in conventional shampoos.

How to wash hair with rye flour?

Using rye flour for hair washing is simple and effective. First, mix a desired amount of rye flour (about 3 – 5 tablespoons) with lukewarm water until you get a smooth, jelly-like paste (the amount of this paste varies depending on hair length, so it’s a bit of trial and error). It’s best to let the paste sit for about 10 to 60 minutes, allowing the starch content to slowly decrease. For oily hair, it’s recommended not to let the paste sit for too long, while for dry hair, it’s worth waiting a bit longer.

Then, apply this paste to damp hair and gently massage it to remove dirt and excess oil. Rinse thoroughly afterward. Light residues can be brushed out of dry hair if needed. Again, to protect the environment as much as possible, rinse the flour not directly in the river but on the shore, about 50 – 100 m away, using a water bucket.

But:

The cleansing power of rye flour is relatively mild. So, if your hair has only been washed with silicone-containing shampoo so far, the result might be disappointing at first because the silicone seal on the hair needs to be removed first. In this case, it’s recommended to either slowly switch to natural cosmetics shampoos or use baking soda.

Final Thoughts

Embracing rye flour as a shampoo alternative offers a compelling blend of environmental responsibility and personal health benefits. As we continue to seek ways to reduce our ecological footprint, particularly during outdoor adventures, turning to natural solutions like rye flour not only preserves the natural water sources we cherish but also supports sustainable practices in our daily lives.

While it might require a shift in your grooming routine and a bit of experimentation to find the right method for your hair type, the positive impact on the environment and the potential health benefits for your scalp and hair make it a worthwhile endeavor. Remember, the goal is not only to maintain cleanliness while on the road but also to ensure that our adventures leave as little trace as possible.

As you embark on your next outdoor journey, consider packing some rye flour. It’s a small step towards a more sustainable and responsible way of living that aligns with the natural settings we enjoy. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to nurture a deeper connection with nature, understanding that every choice we make, down to how we wash our hair, plays a part in preserving these environments for future generations.

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