If you need an inexpensive shampoo for your canine friend, making it yourself is the way to go. Even better than saving a few bucks, though, is that homemade glycerine shampoo is gentle enough for sensitive skin and will leave your dog's coat fluffy and shiny.
Glycerine
Glycerine is a great conditioner. It adds moisture to your dog's fur and helps protect it from the elements. It also soothes the skin. If your pooch has irritated or sensitive skin, glycerine is a must-have ingredient for any homemade shampoo. Use 1/4 cup glycerine for each batch of shampoo. Add it to the mixture last.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Shampoo made with apple cider vinegar cleans, deodorizes and helps repel fleas and ticks. Apple cider vinegar also helps maintain the natural pH of your dog's skin, and on top of all that, it makes his fur extra shiny. Add 1 cup of vinegar after mixing water and dish soap, but before adding the glycerine to make one batch of shampoo.
Dish Soap
A mild dish soap helps lift dirt out of your dog's fur and away from the skin. It also allows the glycerine and apple cider vinegar to do their jobs by getting excess oil and grime out of the way. Choose a dish soap that is gentle, such as a brand that is designed to moisturize your hands while you wash dishes. Use 1 cup. of dish soap for each batch of shampoo. Mix the shampoo with water before adding the other ingredients. Just don't mix it so hard that it starts foaming or creating lots of suds.
Dilution
For most dogs, about 3/4 cup of water added to the shampoo mixture will be the right dilution. If your pup has extra sensitive skin though, it may help to dilute it even more with 1 to 1 1/4 cups of water.
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly each time you use the shampoo, because the water and the glycerin will tend to separate over time.
