How Long Does a Bottle of Shampoo Last? [Mini Vs Regular Vs Economy]
We all go through the same thought before buying a bottle of shampoo – “How long is it going to last?” There is no doubt that we all love the handsome amount of a big bottle of shampoo. It lasts longer and cuts off extra expenses from our monthly budget.
After all, we don’t have to make shampoo purchases again and again for at least a month or two.
Things are different when we are on a vacation or a business trip. A mini-sized bottle of shampoo saves us from the hassle of carrying big bottles in our suitcases and obeying the 3-1-1 liquids rule at the airport.
You don’t want your big bottle of shampoo to reach its expiration date before you finish the bottle. You don’t want to run out of your mini-sized bottle of shampoo in the midst of your vacation.
That’s the reason we are here to help you to let you know.
How long does a bottle of shampoo last?
The lasting duration of a bottle of shampoo depends on three factors. Firstly, it depends on the size of the bottle. Today, we have many different sizes of bottles of shampoos available in the market.
The most common ones are minis or travel sized bottles, regular sized bottles and economy sized bottles. All these bottles are designed to last a particular duration on your shelves.
Secondly, the lasting duration of a bottle of shampoo depends on how frequently it is used and how many people use them.
If you shampoo once a week, your shampoo is obviously going to last longer. If you shampoo daily, you will feel the need to buy a new bottle every one or two months. If you share the bottle with others, you will finish the bottle faster than expected.
Thirdly, the overall duration for which a bottle of shampoo lasts also depends on the amount of shampoo used per wash.
Some people use only a teaspoon of shampoo while others overdo it and over wash their hair. Thus, how much shampoo you end up using also determines how long it is going to last.
How much shampoo do people use on an average?
The amount of shampoo people use depends on a lot of factors. It changes from person to person, texture, hair amount and hair types.
Typically, women need more shampoo than men. They use at least 10 millilitres of shampoo to wash their hair. This amounts to two tablespoons of shampoo. A man may need half of that to get clean hair.
People with longer hair have to use more shampoo than 10 millilitres to wash their hair. People with curly and coily hair need more to properly cleanse all the dirt off their waves.
How much shampoo do you use in a week?
As per some of the survey’s conducted, nearly 66% of Americans shower every day, and 4% shower more than once a day. That leaves 31% who don’t take a shower every day.
If you are one of them who wash their hair every day then you use 10 millilitres or more of shampoo per day. This amounts to the usage of more than 70 millilitres of shampoo a week.
If you shower more than once a day using shampoo then you use about 20 millilitres or more of shampoo per day. This amounts to the usage of more than 140 millilitres of shampoo a week.
If you wash your hair with shampoo every alternate day then you use about 35 millilitres or more of shampoo per week.
Depending upon your shampoo usage per week, you can decide the duration of how long your bottle of shampoo is going to last.
Let’s be sure of how long your bottle of shampoo is going to last by having a look at the different sizes of bottles of shampoos.
The Most Common Sizes of Shampoo Bottles
1. Mini/Travel-size Shampoo Bottles
A mini or travel-sized bottle contains 100 ml or 3.33 ounces of shampoo. This amount is supposed to last around 2 weeks. (If you are not shampooing daily)
You need to keep some factors in mind before deciding if your cute mini bottle of shampoo is going to last throughout your vacation:
- The amount of shampoo stored in a travel-sized bottle: Nowadays, many manufacturers are selling travel-sized bottles of shampoos that contain less shampoo than even the TSA limit (3.4 ounces). There are many brands that sell 1 ounce of shampoo in a travel-sized bottle of shampoo which is not going to last more than 3-4 days for some people.
- The amount of shampoo you use per day: A travel-sized shampoo of 3.3 ounces can last for 7 uses if you have long non curly, thin or short curly hair. Such hair types need at least 15 millilitres of shampoo per wash. If you shower once every day, the bottle of shampoo should last a week for you.
It’s important to remember that shampoo usage changes from person to person. If you have thick and curly hair, you are going to need more of the product.
Women with thick long curly hair need at least 20 millilitres of shampoo per wash. Thus, the travel-sized shampoo will last for 5 uses for them.
You are going to need 10 millilitres of shampoo per wash if you have short and non-curly thin hair. This will amount to 10 washes for 100 millilitres or 3.3 ounces travel-sized bottle of shampoo.
If you are a guy or a woman who rocks a pixie cut then you cut the shampoo usage by half. Thus, the travel-sized bottle of shampoo will last for 20 washes if you use 5 millilitres of shampoo per wash.
It is advised to carry two travel-sized bottles of shampoos if you are planning for a long vacation. Moreover, you can always buy a second bottle of shampoo if you happen to run out of it on your trip.
2. Regular Sized Shampoo Bottles
A regular-sized bottle contains 300 ml or 10 ounces of shampoo. This amount is supposed to last at least a month if you are shampooing every day.
If you have long, thick or curly hair and you use 20 millilitres of shampoo per hair wash, then the shampoo will last you only for 15 washes.
Now, if you are someone who washes their hair with shampoo on alternate days or twice or thrice a week then a regular sized bottle of shampoo should last at least 2-3 months depending upon your usage.
Men who use 5 millilitres of shampoo per wash will finish the 100 millilitres of a bottle of shampoo in 60 washes. People with short, non curly and thin hair will finish the bottle of shampoo in 30 washes.
The bottle of shampoo will last for 20 washes for those who use 15 millilitres of shampoo for their long non-curly thick or short curly hair. The bottle of shampoo will last for 15 washes for those with long thick curly hair.
3. Economy Sized Shampoo Bottles
The best way to assure that your shampoo lasts long is to buy an economy sized bottle of shampoo. These bottles are like a one-time investment. An economy-sized bottle contains 946 millilitres or 32 ounces of shampoo.
The amount we get in this bottle is considerably huge in comparison to other bottles. The best thing is that economy sized bottles are relatively cheaper than the regular sized shampoos of the same brands.
These bottles are the best option for those who share their shampoos with their partner or their family.
An economy sized bottle of shampoo lasts for more than 3 months if you use 10 millilitres of shampoo daily. Those who shampoo their hair once or twice a week can be assured that this bottle is going to last them for 6 months or more.
Shampooing your hair twice a day is not recommended for maintaining healthy and strong hair. Though, if you have to wash your hair twice a day then this shampoo is going to last you for about 2 months.
The bottle of shampoo will last for a whopping 189 washes for those who use only 5 millilitres of shampoo per wash. It lasts 94 washes for those with short non curly thin hair who use 10 millilitres of shampoo per wash.
If you have short curly hair, then the shampoo is going to last for 63 washes for you and 47 washes for those with long or thick curly hair.
Be sure to check the amount of shampoo before buying an economy sized bottle. 32 ounces is the common quantity of shampoo stored in an economy-sized bottle but some brands can have less or more quantity than the common amount.
Also, this shampoo lasts long so don’t buy it unless you are absolutely sure about using it before it hits the expiration date.
Summary: No. of Washes the Most Common Sizes of Shampoo Bottles Last
| Shampoo Bottle Type | Shampoo Quantity [ml] | No. of washes for Men [Average 5ml per wash] | No. of Washes for Women with short non curly thin hair [Average 10ml per wash] | No. of Washes for Women with long non curly thin/short curly hair/Short thick hair [Average 15 ml per wash] | No. of Washes for Women with long thick/curly hair [Average 20ml per wash] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | 100 | 20 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Regular | 300 | 60 | 30 | 20 | 15 |
| Economy | 946 | 189 | 94 | 63 | 47 |
Final Words:
We should make smart choices before making any purchase decision – whether it’s a big investment or a bottle of shampoo. The lasting duration of your shampoo is going to depend on a lot of factors and it is always better to be sure about it.
We have provided an estimate of how long each size of a bottle of shampoo lasts depending upon the frequency and quantity you use per wash. Make sure to use this list the next time you shop for a bottle of shampoo.
