Liquid Shampoo Recipe

Liquid shampoos made with glucoside surfactants are a popular choice for those looking to create sulphate-free cleansing products at home. This formula combines decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside to create an effective cleansing system, supported by coco glucoside & glyceryl oleate to help improve softness and manageability after washing.

A simple calendula infusion is used as the water phase, adding a botanical element while keeping the formula approachable and easy to make.

This is the same base formula used in our Go Native Liquid Shampoo Kit, so once you've made your first batch, you can purchase the individual ingredients and make it again from scratch.

Our kits contain pre-measured ingredients, including a prepared citric acid solution, making the process straightforward for beginners. When making the recipe from individual ingredients, you can prepare your own citric acid solution and adjust the shampoo's pH as needed.

Because the formula contains water and a botanical infusion, an appropriate broad-spectrum preservative is essential.

Why this liquid shampoo formula works

This formula uses a blend of non-ionic surfactants to create an effective cleansing system.

Decyl Glucoside
A mild, plant-derived surfactant that provides cleansing and foam.

Lauryl Glucoside
A sugar-based surfactant that helps boost cleansing, foam and viscosity.

Coco Glucoside & Glyceryl Oleate
A conditioning and refatting surfactant blend that helps improve the feel of the shampoo and reduce the stripped sensation sometimes associated with cleansing products.

Calendula Infusion
Provides the water phase of the shampoo. Dried calendula flowers are steeped in water and strained before use.

Microcare DB
A broad-spectrum preservative used to help protect the water-based formula against microbial contamination.

Essential Oil
An optional fragrance ingredient. Choose an essential oil suitable for rinse-off hair products and observe its recommended usage limits.

Citric Acid Solution
Used to adjust the finished shampoo's pH. Our kits include this already prepared and pre-measured for convenience.

Liquid Shampoo Formula

Ingredients
Makes 1kg – Adjust batch volume with Go Native NZ's Batch Size Calculator

27.34% | 273.4g calendula infusion (water phase)
51.94% | 519.4g decyl glucoside
16.40% | 164.0g lauryl glucoside
2.73% | 27.3g coco glucoside & glyceryl oleate
1.04% | 10.4g Microcare DB (preservative)
0.55% | 5.5g essential oil (optional, omit for unfragranced shampoo)

For the calendula infusion: Steep approximately 5.5g dried calendula flowers in boiling distilled water for 30 minutes. Strain well and weigh out 273.4g of the finished infusion.

For pH adjustment: Citric acid solution, q.s. (quantity sufficient) to adjust the finished shampoo's pH. See instructions below.

💫 Scroll down to add all the ingredients to your cart in one click! 💫

Method

1. Prepare the calendula infusion by pouring boiling distilled water over the dried flowers and allowing it to steep for approximately 30 minutes. Strain well and weigh out the required amount of infusion.

2. Add the decyl glucoside and coco glucoside & glyceryl oleate to the infusion.

3. Add the lauryl glucoside and heat gently, stirring until it has melted and the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Avoid excessive stirring to minimise foaming.

4. Allow the mixture to cool before adding the Microcare DB and essential oil (if using). Stir thoroughly.

5. Check and adjust the pH using a citric acid solution, following the instructions below.

6. Allow the shampoo to sit for 12–24 hours to allow its viscosity to develop.

7. Transfer into clean bottles or containers.

How to Make a Citric Acid Solution and Adjust the pH

Our Liquid Shampoo Kit includes a prepared, pre-measured citric acid solution, so there's no need to make this separately when using the kit.

If you're making the shampoo from scratch using individual ingredients, you can prepare your own solution at home.

Make a 33% Citric Acid Solution

Ingredients

• 10g citric acid
• 20g distilled water

Method

1. Add the distilled water to a clean container.
2. Add the citric acid and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Your citric acid solution is ready to use.

This makes 30g of approximately 33% citric acid solution, similar in strength to the solution supplied in our kits.

Prepare this solution fresh for your recipe rather than storing it for extended periods.

How to Check and Adjust Your Shampoo's pH

The pH of your finished shampoo is important for scalp comfort, ingredient compatibility and preservative performance.

1. Once your shampoo has cooled to room temperature, measure its pH using a calibrated pH meter suitable for cosmetic formulations.

2. Aim for a final pH of approximately 5.0–5.5, provided this is compatible with your ingredients and preservative.

3. If the pH is too high, add a small amount of your citric acid solution and stir thoroughly.

4. Measure the pH again after each addition.

5. Continue gradually until the desired pH is reached.

Important: You may not need the full 30g of citric acid solution. The amount required depends on the starting pH of your ingredients.

If the shampoo is already within the desired pH range, no additional citric acid solution is necessary.

Always adjust gradually. Adding too much citric acid can lower the pH beyond the intended range.

Substitutions and Customisation

• Fragrance-free: Omit the essential oil for an unfragranced shampoo.

• Botanical variation: Replace calendula with another suitable dried botanical, such as chamomile, to prepare the infusion. Changes may affect the finished product's characteristics and preservation requirements.

• Consistency: The shampoo may thicken as it stands. Additional distilled water can be incorporated if a thinner consistency is preferred, although this will dilute the formula and may affect preservation.

Usage Note

This is a water-based cosmetic product and requires an effective preservative system. The final pH should be checked rather than assumed from the quantity of citric acid solution added.

Essential oils are optional and should be used at appropriate levels for rinse-off hair products. For sensitive scalps, omitting fragrance may be preferable.

Changes to the botanical infusion, water content or other ingredients may affect viscosity, pH and preservative performance. Appropriate stability and preservative efficacy testing is recommended, particularly for products intended for sale.

As with any new product, a patch test is recommended before first use.

To Use

• A small amount is usually sufficient, depending on hair length and thickness.
• Apply to wet hair and massage gently into the scalp.
• Rinse thoroughly and repeat if desired.

Want to Make It the Easy Way?

Our Liquid Shampoo Kit contains pre-measured ingredients, including a prepared citric acid solution, along with printed instructions.

It's a convenient way to get started without weighing out every ingredient yourself.

Once you've made your first batch, you can return to this recipe to purchase the individual ingredients and make another batch whenever you like.