The trend of ‘no poo,’ or not using shampoo has come in and out of favor of late. A few years ago, naturals and non-naturals alike were throwing away their bottles of shampoo and going for the simpler route. No poo is what this practice was dubbed. But was it worth it? To poo or not to poo is the question.

Shampoo isn’t all bad, especially if you use a brand that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals such as sulfates or polysorbates. In fact, shampoo is useful for removing buildup of oil and dirt from your hair, as shampoo does this better than conditioner. A healthy scalp is a clean one. Shampoo will help your conditioner to work better, as well.

The other side to using shampoo involves spending less money on products, environmental factors (less chemicals going down the drain), and women actually reporting that their hair is healthier and stronger without it. Using conditioner as a cleansing product often works well for naturals since we tend to have drier hair.

So, there is your first alternative to shampoo: using conditioner instead. You could also try apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay, honey, beer or baking soda to cleanse your hair. Some of these are more clarifying than others, such as the baking soda, and some are more moisturizing, like the honey.

The best way to figure it all out is to experiment. If you choose to use shampoo and want to wash several times a week, use a shampoo with gentle ingredients. Don’t mimic the models in shampoo commercials, either, with their hair piled high on top of their heads. Gently wash your hair using a downward motion after rinsing it in warm water for several minutes, then rinse it out. It’s usually a bad idea to comb your hair while you are shampooing it.

To poo or not to poo? It’s really all up to you. Do what makes your hair look and feel great. A high quality shampoo can make a lot of difference. So will a good conditioner with a lot of slip and moisturizing capabilities. If you do choose to use conditioner as a cleanser, you might want to consider using shampoo every month or so to clarify your hair.