It was a common question of the supermarket-avoiding pandemic age: can you substitute washing up liquid for your shampoo? After all, we’re already using it to make our dishes sparkle – why not use it on our hair as well? The answer isn’t as simple as you might expect. Let’s take a deeper dive into the pros and cons.

THE PROS

Washing up liquid is made with one main purpose in mind - to remove grease from surfaces like pots and pans. This means that the surfactants are particularly effective at stripping residue from your hair, leaving it feeling squeaky clean. It’s also typically much cheaper than shampoo, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank if you decide to try it out. 

THE CONS

Unfortunately, the grease removing ability isn’t necessarily a good thing. Since its primary purpose is removing grease, washing up liquid can be incredibly drying for even the oiliest strands. This means that if you do choose to use washing up liquid as a substitute for shampoo, you should also invest in some conditioner or a deep conditioning treatment afterwards. Additionally, some brands of washing up liquid contain strong fragrances and colours which can damage your hair follicles and scalp over time. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

At the end of the day, using washing up liquid on your hair is a personal choice - there are benefits and drawbacks depending on what kind of look and feel you want for your strands!

We personally we never ever recommend using our non-toxic Washupthings on your hair… although it is great for cleaning you plates without messing up the environment (click here to check it out). But if you do decide to give this unique cleaning agent a shot, make sure that you also follow up with some moisturizing conditioner or an intensive deep conditioning treatment afterwards; otherwise, your locks may be left looking limp and lifeless rather than luxurious and lush! Whatever route you choose, stay safe out there!