Guest post from Jacey of The Balanced Wife
I’m new to the world of pet ownership, and the expenses can add up quickly! So that’s why I was happy to discover one way for budget-conscious dog lovers to cut costs: make your own dog shampoo.
I have a golden retriever, and his fur, though beautiful, collects a significant amount of dirt. Dog shampoo costs $7-12 in stores, and the cheaper ones have more chemicals and potentially skin irritating ingredients.
You can make your own more natural shampoo in ten minutes with supplies you probably already have on hand.
Homemade Pet Shampoo
- 1 cup liquid dish soap
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup glycerin
- 4 cups water
Why apple cider vinegar?
My husband raised his eyebrows when I dumped in the vinegar, wondering if our dog would smell worse after the bath. In fact, once his fur is dry, apple cider vinegar deodorizes and shines his coat. It also repels fleas.
All lathered up.
Soap is an essential ingredient for obvious reasons. It helps loosen dirt and oil when you scrub. The more natural the soap, the better.
I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid Soap. On Amazon, it’s about the same price as Dawn, and other more chemically-laden products, especially if you have Amazon Prime or take advantage of the Free Super Saver shipping option. I already had this soap, and you can certainly use whatever you have on hand to avoid an extra expense.
Some online sources say you can skip the glycerin. The purpose of glycerin is to moisturize your dog’s skin naturally. I bought some because I knew this recipe would yield much more than a bottle of dog shampoo, so I still spent less even when splurging for the glycerin. (It was about $5 for 4 ounces at Whole Foods.)
The extra mile
For extra luxury and a sweet smell, try adding a couple drops of rosemary, lavender or other essential oil. Or, you can boil a few fresh rosemary stems. Let the water cool, and pour it over your pup for a fresh scent after bathing.
I’ve given our dog, Jack, three baths so far and we have quite a bit more shampoo left. One quick batch will help you keep your dog clean for months!
Jacey Verdicchio loves good books and deep conversations. You can find her on her blog, The Balanced Wife, where she pursues exceptional living and often falls short. She lives with her husband, Michael, and dog, Jack, in Charleston, SC.
Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it 
