Effortlessly Organic Living 4: Clean Shampoo Bars — Travel Light, Skip the Plastic

There’s a particular kind of dread that comes with packing bottles: the leaky lid you don’t notice until your clothes smell like “tropical mystery,” the hand-luggage shuffle at airport security, the plastic lineup that multiplies under the sink. For a long time, switching to low-tox hair care felt like yet another “someday” task—important, yes, but also confusing, messy, and oddly… heavy.

Shampoo and conditioner bars change that. They’re small and calm in all the ways that matter: no liquid, no leaks, far less plastic, and—if you choose well—no “mystery fragrance” hanging around your scalp. This is a simple swap with surprising knock-on effects: easier travel, fewer bathroom bottles, lighter sensory load, and (quietly) fewer dollars disappearing into the drain.

If you’re new to bars, think of them this way: good shampoo bars aren’t just “soap in a different shape”; they’re pH-balanced cleansers made for hair and scalp. The best of them lather beautifully, rinse clean, and leave your hair feeling like… hair. If you’ve heard that bars don’t foam or always leave residue, that’s older-generation thinking. Modern formulas can be genuinely lovely—especially when the ingredient list is clear and simple.

What to look for, in plain English: pH-balanced bars that avoid the usual suspects (phthalates, parabens, silicones, SLS) and keep scent either light and specific or skip it altogether. If your scalp is sensitive, start fragrance-free or try a very simple single-note scent. Let the bar do the work—good ones lather easily—then rinse a touch longer than you would with liquid. Give it a week and notice what changes: scalp feel, how hair behaves on day two or three, and whether you can wash less often. (Many people can—another quiet win.)

For travel, bars are bliss: dry on a bamboo drainer, tuck into a tin, arrive dry—no leaks, no liquid fuss. I’m loving peppermint for a clean, tingly scalp and coconut for smooth, light ends. A soap bar in a mesh bag keeps the setup tidy, and cotton makeup wipes just live in a lingerie bag until wash day. The whole routine is simple, compact, and calm—no puddles, no explosions, and definitely no plastic parade.

The “why now” is practical, too. One quality bar can replace two to three bottles, which means fewer purchases, fewer emergency airport buys, and less plastic in the bin. Over a few months the savings add up—not in a flashy way, but in that steady, sustainable way S.T.E.P.S is all about: Small, Timely, Easy, Pleasurable, Sustainable. You make one switch that fits your life today, then let that single win create momentum for the next.

If you’ve been stuck in research mode, keep it tiny. Choose shampoo only as your experiment for the next fortnight. That’s the whole assignment. Keep everything else exactly the same. Notice how your scalp feels, whether the lather satisfies, and how your hair settles. If it’s a fit, add the conditioner bar next; if not, you’ve learned something useful without turning your routine upside down.

And for the travellers—weekenders, gym bags, van life, flights—this swap pays you back immediately. Bars don’t count toward liquid limits, the tins don’t leak, and small bathrooms suddenly feel bigger when you’re not juggling bottles. There’s a quiet pleasure in that kind of order: fewer things to spill, fewer things to remember.

Keep it tiny: swap your shampoo for a bar this fortnight and see how it feels. Let the wins add up—less plastic, less fuss, more ease. That’s Effortlessly Organic Living.

Curious where to start? I found an Australian brand with clean shampoo/conditioner/body bars and simple accessories: Cooki Haircare.

I love their story, their ethos and I absolutely love their products. They make life so much easier! If you want to give them a try, you can get 20% off by using the code: SHARIWARE (as of writing; free shipping kicks in at $69+ in AU/NZ, so grabbing a bundle and adding a bamboo drainer or mesh bag, etc, can make sense if you were planning to try them anyway).

Transparency: Using my link/code doesn’t cost you extra; it can save you money and helps keep this newsletter free.

Whether you choose Cooki or a local clean brand, the real win is the same: one low-tox swap that makes everyday life lighter. Start with one bottle, notice the difference, and let that momentum build.

Swap just your shampoo for a clean bar and keep everything else the same. Notice scalp feel, lather, and time between washes. If you’re sensitive to scent, start fragrance-free. 🌿

Weekend nudge: EOL lands on Friday (Aussie time) so you’ve got the weekend to give yourself the gift of one small change. What will yours be? If you’re stuck, hit reply—I’m here to help you get started.

Read - Why this is worth a skim: CHOICE (Australia’s independent consumer organisation) breaks down simple ways to cut plastic in the bathroom—without spending more or sacrificing results. It also flags what to expect when switching to bars (they can feel a little different at first) and suggests easing in with one small habit change. Perfect context if you’re curious about shampoo bars and want practical, no-nonsense tips.

Your Resource List
A living collection of helpful tools and articles, updated regularly with only what’s worth your time. Dip in anytime. Short on time? Open the page, tap Resource List in the top menu, then choose Health Tools for a quick, practical shortlist to support your next small step.

B ME Sunlight Bites Day 205 — Micro-Moments of Beauty 🌿💛
A flicker of colour, a breath of calm—proof that beauty hides in the smallest moments if we just stop to see it.

Watch on YouTube:

📺 Explore the B ME Sunlight Bites YouTube playlist—short, calming clips to reset your day. If it helps, hit Subscribe to catch new moments.

B ME Bites: Japan Adventures — Part 1✈️ Comedy of Errors, Harry Potter & Country Charm
From airport mix-ups to Butterbeer and sacred forests—this is the whirlwind first chapter of the trip. I really wish I’d found shampoo/conditioner bars before Japan: no leaks, no liquid limits, and tiny tins for tiny bathrooms. Exactly the kind of travel-light swap we’re talking about this week.

Read: Japan Adventures Part 1 - Comedy of Errors, Harry Potter and Country Charm

Travel tip: Shampoo/conditioner bars are carry-on friendly and space-saving—ideal for trains, tiny bathrooms, and long days on foot. Where are you taking them first?

How did today’s edition land for you? Please hit reply with:

If you picked 2 or 3, tell me what would make it a 1 next time. And if you need a hand choosing your first step, reply and say “help”—I’ll point you to a simple place to start. 🌿

Warm regards,
Shari Ware
Chief Simplicity Officer @ Effortlessly Organic Living

Sister publication: Effortlessly Organic Living is a sister publication to B ME Bites, built on the same S.T.E.P.S steps framework.

PS — Before you go—your Friday Funny 👇