Find yourself cooped up at home with the dog and notice Fido’s a little on the nose? Here’s a simple DIY project to help keep you occupied – and keep your canine fur baby smelling sweet without the hassle of a full dog wash.
This recipe makes enough dry dog shampoo to fill approximately one 440ml mason jar. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 12 months. Project and image courtesy of biome.com.au
Ingredients
- 1 cup bentonite clay or diatomaceous earth
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 1/4 cup Moroccan lava clay
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp neem oil
100% pure essential oils of your choice (biome used 12 drops each of cedarwood, lemongrass and citronella, which are known for their flea, tick, ant and mosquito repelling properties)*
*The essential oils used in this recipe are known to be generally safe for dogs in small amounts and for dogs over 12 months old only. If your pooch has sensitive skin, broken or infected skin in any way, omit all essential oils. If unsure, consult your veterinarian. Cats are much more susceptible to essential oils so avoid using this dry shampoo around cats.
Method
Combine all the dry ingredients in a glass bowl. Mix together with a wooden spoon.
Add the neem and essential oils, if using, and mix in.
Strain the mix through a fine sieve to remove clumps and get a nice fine powdery consistency.
Store in a jar with a shaker lid or reuse an old baby powder style container.
How to use
Give the jar a shake before each use to loosen the powder.
Use this dry dog shampoo twice per week or when needed. Do this outside as it will get messy!
Sprinkle a good amount over your dog’s coat starting from the neck and working down the back. Massage in with your hands. Concentrate on areas prone to heat, such as under the legs, belly, bottom and under neck. Even between the toes. Avoid eyes, nose and mouth.
Let your pooch shake off the excess dry dog shampoo and then brush the rest out.
Tip: This DIY dry shampoo for dogs is only helpful in summer to help control fleas, but handy during the winter months to keep their coat clean and fresh when it’s too cold to wash your dog outside.
Please do not use on cats.
For more DIY projects like this, visit biome.com.au
