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Thread: how did women wash their hair before shampoo?

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    Prodigal Longhair cobblersmaid's Avatar
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    Well, in 18th century america/english colonies they mostly used lye soap. This probably would have been done infrequently and mechanical cleaning was most common. Brushes, and horn combs mostly. The upper classes had all sorts of hair potions they used. Herbed vineger rinses (sound familiar?) pomades, oil, and the like. In the 1771 Almanac, there is a receipt for a mixture to help hair loss. If I remember correctly it is made of honey and "a twisting vine". I have no idea what vine that is, but I wish I did. They also mention lunar cutting.

    Also, during the mid century, wigs were popular because the hair could be worn short so cleaning would not be an issue. From what I read, people sometimes let thing get rather icky.
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    Rider of Hawgs harley mama's Avatar
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    Yup, both of my grandmothers used lye soap that they made themselves.
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    Default how did

    My maternal grandmother washed her hair with soap as well.

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    I don't know how historical the use of Rhassoul clay is, but it is all I've used for 2+ years. The kids get a kick out of saying Mom washes her hair with dirt!! Some region must have used it in the past for it to be out there now....
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    I do know that Yucca has saponin in it, which could work to lather up. On the other hand, there's always WO and SO.
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    There was a TV program some years ago about the experiment of an English family (mother, father, son and daughter) living for one month exactly as they were in year 1900.
    The man grew a stache because he had problems shaving with a straight razor, wife and daughter made their own "shampoo" with, I don't remember, maybe eggs and vinegar but they just couldn't stand it.
    They ended up cheating and buy commercial shampoo in a supermarket.

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    Member amiaow's Avatar
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    Default Re: how did women wash their hair before shampoo?

    Sorry to revive an old thread like this- but felt I had to contribute! It really wasn't that long ago that people even started using shampoo regularly. My mum was born in the 1950s and she said growing up they always used Velvet Soap (which I think is just pure soap) and rinsed in rainwater. She said their hair was always very soft, shiny and clean. Maybe something to it?

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    fightin' in satin tights Kuchen's Avatar
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    Default Re: how did women wash their hair before shampoo?

    Quote Originally Posted by faeflame View Post
    I don't know how historical the use of Rhassoul clay is, but it is all I've used for 2+ years. The kids get a kick out of saying Mom washes her hair with dirt!! Some region must have used it in the past for it to be out there now....
    Well, Morrocco and North Africa in general are probably prime Rhassoul-using areas.

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    Default Re: how did women wash their hair before shampoo?

    Another thing I wonder about, how did people tye off the end of thier braid? I'm sure the native Americans used sinew, but what about Europeans/others? My braid never holds with out a rubber band. What was used before most of the world know rubber?
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    Default Re: how did women wash their hair before shampoo?

    Blueglass--I think they used string or twine. Not sure when the bobby pin was invented, but I would guess that's how buns were kept up. I think, from old photos I've seen, women in that era would braid their hair, then bun it. It's quite possible the rubber band had been invented by the 1800s. I'd have to do a search on that.

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