Great homemade dog shampoo

I have a havanese dog (at least that is what i was told). I like to bath it often but I had noticed that the dog shampoos I bought made the dogs fur loose that nice shine - it looked dull, and it scratched alot. Even if I spaced the baths to every two to three weeks. I like to bath it often.

This was two weeks since its last bath

So I tried this recipe for homemade dog shampoo from How To Make Your Own Great Smelling Dog Shampoo

A glass jar with lid
1/4 of a jar Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 of a jar Ivory Antibacterial Dish Soap
1/4 of a jar Aloe Vera gel
1/4 of a jar water
1 Rosemary sprig
2 Drops Rosemary Oil
2 Drops Lavender Oil

Now, living in Zambia means some of the ingredients were not readily available, or it meant scouring the shops for them. I did not have the time to invest in the search so I modified the recipe and used what I had and could easily find:

 A Container to put the shampoo in. I used the one shown in the picture.   
1/3 cup white Vinegar
1/3 cup liquid soap (I used, but I reckon you can use any)
1/3 cup water
1 Rosemary sprig
1 Lavender sprig (I have a rosemary and lavender bush in my garden)

The picture shows the liquid soap (left) I used and the container (right). You can use any that you prefer.

The website said to let it stand for 24hrs before using but I used it immediately (note to self read the whole post before starting) and to be honest with you I did not notice any nice smelling aroma and the shampoo did not get rid of that wet doggy smell. On the good side it lathered very well and the dog was clean but it did not smell nice after I had finished.

So I thought to myself - trust these things not to work. I will just continue using the regular store bought one.

I had some left over and since i hate throwing things out i put in the fridge to be used the next time. (the website recommends keeping it for only two weeks and then discard). 

I used it two weeks later and boy was there a difference -

- no doggy smell when washing the dog,

- the shampoo is sweet smelling

- the fur has a shine to it

- and best of all the dog smells great! even after two weeks you can still detect the faint smell of the shampoo.

- also the dog scratched a lot less.

Reasons for this difference i think is that the lavender and rosemary required time to diffuse in to the mixture. The original recipe uses oils so the 24hrs should be adequate but i will try different times to see when the lavender and rosemary are noticeable in the shampoo when used.

After bath. It was difficult to get a good pic as it kept running around.

In comparison to store bought shampoos this is great. I would  recommend this as a much cheaper alternative. The only thing you have to add to your shopping list is liquid soap as vinegar is a household staple. Invest in a rosemary and lavender bush and you are all set.

Stay blessed.

Hmmm

I was wandering to myself - why am I writing about the life of a Zambian married woman.

We are taught that what happens in a married home remains there - in the house. so on that principle I am going against one of the major tenants that, might see me taken to alangizi by my husband (alangizi are women who teach the bride to be what is expected of her in marriage. Women are taught, men are not - but that is a story for another day)

The reason I started this blog:

1. There is a lot of intermarriage between tribes in Zambia nowadays. Therefore the foods, customs that my husband grew up with are very different from the foods and customs that I grew up with. For example it is not uncommon in my generation for a man to have parents form two different tribes marrying a woman from parents from two different tribes. The alangizi try their best but some subjects slip through the cracks.
2. Especially the foods. If your husband grew up eating hopani (monitor lizard eaten in the Western province of Zambia) and you are from the East you will have no idea how to prepare it. The traditional foods eaten by tribes are very diverse and if you want to do tuchawa (something special for hubby) you will have to dig up a friend from that tribe to teach you. so what about a blog. it will always be there and you can cook nsima and ndiwo (relish) at 6 am (if your husband loves that sort of thing in the morning).
3. Somethings in life are worth writing about as I have learnt from the many blogs out there. 
4. Most of the ideas and ways of doing things I have got from others blogs. So this is the Zambianised way (Zambianised is when you take something foreign and adapt it to our local setting). With items that are locally available.
5. For my children. If i don't live to see them grown up and independent as i was fortunate enough to. I would like them to know what mummy did, how she did and what she loved doing. I still call my mother when I have forgotten a certain recipe or want to know something I have forgotten.
6. I am married to a very understanding, open minded and loving man. Therefore I think I can start this and get away with it. (no alangizi for me). Besides if I die before him I would like him to be able to read my blogs and be reminded of me.

so here goes....